Body Positive Bali Aerial Yoga Retreat
Winter 2026
Join us for five days (and four nights) of aerial yoga, restorative yoga, culture and relaxation in Bali!!
We’ll be staying at the Floating Leaf Eco Retreat, an award winning Balinese owned luxury retreat center with a focus on sustainability and celebrating Balinese culture.
"Jo’s aerial yoga retreat was well organised and great value. Our days consisted of a mix of yoga, cultural, creative and mindful activities. We practiced yoga overlooking gorgeous scenery, learning new poses and self care techniques from a very passionate and experienced instructor. The venue was stunning, the staff were friendly and helpful and the food was divine. A beautiful experience – would highly recommend!"
Rebecca Williamson
Who is this for:
Anyone who has an interest in yoga, aerial yoga and enjoying life in Bali for a week!
This retreat is body positive, trauma informed, LGBTQIA+ and neurodiversity friendly. Jo’s classes are uplifting and supportive and celebrate your uniqueness. All of the aerial equipment is rated for 200kgs and if you have concerns about being older or have a larger body please know you are welcome and there will be options that work for you!
Please note, access to the yoga studio involves stairs.
None of our activities are compulsory, and there is no previous yoga or aerial yoga experience required - however if you aren’t already a part of our studio community we recommend checking out one of our in person or online classes to get a sense of our vibe.
The group will have a maximum of 12 participants and you can choose to attend beginners or experienced level classes, to ensure a level of support and challenge to fit your needs.
'Jo’s aerial yoga retreat at Floating Leaf in Bali was a treat from beginning to end. It was enjoyed by a group aged 16 -58 years with skill levels from beginner to experienced. All levels were well catered for with a variety of classes each day.
The open air yoga space was stunning, with a high timber ceiling and a view over the lush surrounding farm land. Outside of yoga time we luxuriated in the beautiful accommodation, ate delicious healthy meals, floated in the pool and made use of the massage and spa facilities.
We enjoyed a variety of excursions and in house experiences that enriched our knowledge of Balinese culture and customs. These included temple rituals, cooking class, silversmithing and local music and dance performance.
The staff at Floating Leaf were exceptionally warm, generous and kind.
Thank you Jo for taking your calm, knowledgeable and inclusive teaching skills to an unforgettable location for us all to enjoy!'
Christine Scholes
About Floating Leaf
The Floating Leaf grounds are designed in harmony with nature, featuring lush gardens, two sacred Balinese temples, various private meditation areas, and tranquil koi ponds. The heart of our retreat is the open kitchen, where our private chef prepares nourishing, gourmet meals tailored to every dietary need. There is a beautiful pool surrounded by lush gardens and carved stone sculptures, and a spa with a gorgeous indoor/outdoor massage space.
Natural materials are used throughout and the architecture is designed with smooth contours as a 'visual lullaby for our neural pathways, signalling our brains to relax and assuring that we’re safe. Such environments are perfect for inspiration, creativity, comfort, and healing.'
Floating Leaf is located close to the sacred beach, Pantai Purnama (Full Moon Beach), which has its own holy temple and shrine. It's also a short drive from a beautiful walking track through local rice paddies.
Our activities
Aerial Yoga Classes every day
These sessions can range from active to restorative and depending on the experience levels and size of the group, there may be multiple classes to ensure that everyone gets the right level of support (and challenge).
Jo focuses on aerial yoga that 'feels like yoga' rather than complicated circus style sequences - however there will be opportunities for participants of all levels to stretch themselves and learn fun and creative postures in the aerial hammock.
We will also have time for longer workshop style sessions including Aerial Yin and an Aerial Intensive Workshop. There are open studio sessions where you can work with Jo one on one, as well as explore using a spinning rig and duo aerial yoga sequences.
'Everything was just how I like it, which is saying something according to my family. Perfectly planned and presented allowing for flexibility and mood changes.'
Julie Costello
Water Purification Ceremony at Tirta Empul Temple
The team from Floating Leaf guide us through purification rituals at Tirta Empul Temple. It is located at Tampak Siring, home to one the most sacred healing springs in Bali, and we get to see the spring itself, as well as the beautiful temple pools it supplies. We learn the significance of each of the pools and each aspect of the ritual, as well as how to make our own floral offerings, and what each of the flowers represent.
This is a sacred and beautiful experience and it is wonderful to have local support and knowledge guiding us through it.
Silversmithing Workshop
We visit a family silver smithing workshop in a beautiful garden courtyard and learn traditional techniques, including the use of natural materials. After seeing the creative possibilities the staff assist us to design and create our own jewellery. Like many aspects of Balinese life, the ritual the of creative process can be a meditation in itself (especially in this gorgeous garden setting).
'A fantastic retreat that incorporated so many aspects of culture, spirituality and practice. I enjoyed every activity, every outing and every class. A great way to immerse yourself in yoga practice and Balinese culture.'
Xi Gui Griffin
Balinese Cooking Class
We learn about unique local ingredients and traditional recipes to create a feast to eat together!
This class includes a take home cookbook including ingredient alternatives so you can cook the same delicious meals at home.
'Jo ran an amazing workshop that was physically enriching, spiritually nourishing and uplifting all at the same time! The planning was super smooth and communications were clear and sharp. I had been on many retreats before and would recommend this in a heartbeat!!!'
Annie Yim
Signature Balinese Massage
A deeply relaxing experience in a beautiful garden courtyard. As well as the massage which is included in your retreat package there will be time for additional treatments with the talented staff (they really are amazing). Several people said this was the best massage they've ever had!!
The nurturing spa treatments start as soon as you arrive with a welcome foot bath and massage.
Himalayan Sound Bath
Tibetan singing bowl sound bath group session with Putu Maryam Rachman, Floating Leaf’s founder. Putu Maryam is a Certified Diploma Level I and II Yoga for HealingTherapy, Advanced Yoga for Healing in Chakras and Sound Healing by Indonesian Life Skill Academy. She has also completed her Sound Healing Therapy Course by Sound of Himalaya Retreat, Part of Project Sound for Peace, Nepal. She is joined by local musicians, and the nature sounds of Bali at sunset to lead a sound meditation practice to facilitate deep relaxation and meditation.
Sudamala Rice Field Walk
Explore the beautiful rice paddies around the retreat with a guide. As well as learning about the intricacies of the Balinese water ways, we got to see many locals out for their evening jog and flying kites. It's a great walk and peaceful look into local life.
'Perfectly curated, fabulous venue and staff, great mix of yoga, local experiences and excursions'
David Lim
Contemplative Creative Practices
As well as our structured activities there will be plenty of time to work on your own creative projects or read. There will also be creative activities like mandala making that we can do as group, or you might enjoy solo. Jo will bring a collection of art materials and mindful creative exercises to help bring your imagination to life!
Meah will guide us through nature based meditations and a labyrinth walk meditation. As she describes 'The labyrinth is an ancient archetype, dating back thousands of years in many cultures around the world. Unlike a maze, it has only one path, leading in a circuitous way from the outer edge to the centre. There is no right or wrong way to walk a labyrinth. It can be used as a moving meditation, an opportunity to reflect on questions, to quieten the mind, open the heart or ground the body. It can be a physical, spiritual or creative practice, or anything in between.'
Learning about Balinese Culture
As well as the activities listed above, we will be welcomed to Floating Leaf in traditional style with a welcome feast with traditional dancers and musicians (and the chance to learn the dances and play the instruments).
We start our retreat with an introduction to Balinese culture talk, where we learn some basic phrases, customs and etiquette, and about the many rituals and ceremonies we see around us.
We also learn how to make the floral offerings which we bring with us to Tirta Empul temple, and the ceremonial significance of some of the dishes we eat.
So many of these rituals are infused with a sense of gratitude and reverence, and I really appreciated the chance to ask questions and learn more. While traditions are honoured and woven into the fabric of everyday life, the staff at Floating Leaf welcome and embrace diversity in all its forms, and have experience in providing a supportive environment for LGBTQ+ participants.
Amazing food!!
All meals are included in this itinerary. Meals at Floating Leaf consist of high quality fresh ingredients which are organic and permaculture grown whenever possible. They offer multiple options for meals including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free, and take great care with any allergies and intolerances.
Each meal is served buffet style with many beautifully presented options to choose from, including delicious juices and smoothies with breakfast.
You can also have fresh fruit, tea or coffee before our morning movement classes.
For more on our meals, please see https://bali-floatingleaf.com/facilities/dining/restaurant-menu/
Inclusions:
- 3 healthy and hearty meals per day (dinner on day 1 and breakfast on final day)
- Daily aerial yoga classes
- Meditation sessions
- Roundtrip airport transfers
- Welcome drink, refreshing face towel, and welcome foot massage upon arrival
- A traditional Balinese massage
- Unlimited complimentary filtered drinking water
- Silversmithing and Balinese Cooking Workshops
- Sound meditation session
- Water Purification ceremony at Tirta Empul Water Temple and offering making class
- Fresh tropical fruits daily
- Complete expert concierge services (the staff at Floating Leaf are so lovely!)
- Daily housekeeping
- Guide fee, gas, tolls and driver per itinerary
- Free high-speed wireless internet
Not included:
Your air fares
Your travel insurance
Visa (50,000IDR or $50) & Tourism Levy (150,000 IDR or $15)
About the teachers:
Jo Stewart
Jo Stewart's creative approach adapts to each practitioner’s individual needs, with a focus on body positivity and self compassion. She is dedicated to making yoga and meditation accessible to everybody and is excited to share the whole spectrum of yogic experience - from supportive and playful movement in the aerial hammock, to calm meditation in the quiet of a yin style practice.
Jo has been teaching since 2005 and is the founder of Garden of Yoga, where she teaches Aerial Yoga, Pilates and Yin Yoga classes. She also co-hosts The Flow Artists Podcast and is currently writing a book 'Eight Limbs of Aerial Yoga: Adapting Practice for Accessibility, Neurodiversity and Physical Support' to be published by Singing Dragon in 2026.
Meah Velik-Lord
Meah is the Artistic Director of Travel Art Dance Company and has been teaching, choreographing and performing with the group since 2003. Meah holds a Diploma in Teaching Creative Dance from Mangala Studios of Yoga and Creative Dance, where she has been dancing herself since early childhood, a Diploma in Dance Movement Therapy from Dance Therapy NZ, and is a Veriditas-trained labyrinth facilitator. Meah has also trained in movement improvisation, gymnastics, acrobatics and contemporary dance, and is currently undertaking an apprenticeship in Mettler-based creative dance.
Meah also works as a zookeeper in the butterfly house at Melbourne Zoo, and her appreciation for the natural world (particularly its smaller inhabitants!) informs much of her creative and meditative practice.
Retreat dates and prices coming soon - including some early bird specials!
Waitlist and expressions of interest for 2026!
Please fill out the form below to be notified of the dates for our next retreat.
