Forget what you know about itinerary-driven wellness retreats - Pelan Pelan encourages us all to slow down, stretch it out, and enjoy the ride.
Wellness retreats in Bali are undoubtedly some of the best in the entire world. But if you ask us, sometimes the itineraries can be a little OTT. There’s often so much to do, so much to tick off, and so little time to do it all that by the time the retreat is over, you feel like you need to check-in to a sensory-deprivation tank for the next six months.
But isn’t the whole point of going on a retreat to switch off, slow down, and come out feeling refreshed? Not to be tied to a schedule that leaves you feeling a little frazzled… Well, Pelan Pelan agrees with exactly that, so this Bali surf and yoga retreat takes things back to basics with its wholly flexible wellness programmes that take place in an uber-relaxed, Balinese environment.
Literally meaning “take it easy” in Indonesian, Pelan Pelan is a humble, family-oriented , meditation and yoga retreat that’s situated in the quiet Balinese village of Cemagi – just 10 minutes north of Canggu. It’s surrounded by rice fields, Hindu temples, beaches, and the soft chirps of nature. And the best bit is, it comes with no fixed dates, no stressful schedules and no pretension – only laid-back vibes, a welcoming atmosphere, and plenty of wellness activities for you to enjoy at your own pace…
Slow down with a flexible retreat package
At Pelan Pelan, the key goal is to slow down and take things easy – to calm the body and mind through surf, yoga, meditation, massages and delish Balinese cuisine. There are three packages to choose from: Surf, Yoga or Get It All, with the “Surf” package focusing on riding Bali’s world-famous waves, the “Yoga” package focussing on yoga, meditation and wellness, and the “Get It All” package being a perfect mix of it all.
Whichever package you choose, your days will be spent as you please, working your way through your package inclusions at a pace that suits you, filling your spare time with poolside hangs, beach trips, or simply a good book. You’ll also get to experience the island’s culture at its core, from traditional Balinese food and cooking classes, to temple visits and generally living life on “island time” in a charming Balinese setting. And with a minimum stay of 7 nights, this is the best opportunity to really slow down, escape from your everyday life, and fully indulge in the Balinese way of life…
Stretch it out in the garden shala
A big part of Pelan Pelan is its yoga and meditation offerings – after all, they both teach you patience, improve your breathing, and encourage you to stop and rebalance. As part of the Yoga package (and also part included in the Surf package and Get It All package) you’ll get to stretch it out with Pelan Pelan’s yoga teachers in the tropical, open-air garden shala.
They offer a variety of yoga styles suitable for individuals of all levels, helping you improve your strength, flexibility, relaxation, and yourself. Depending on your own preferences, the instructors can combine different styles to suit you, from Vinyasa Flow and Restorative Yoga, to Yin and Hatha Yoga too.
Enjoy the ride at Cemagi’s secret surf breaks
One of the best bits about Pelan Pelan’s location is its vicinity to quieter, less crowded surf breaks. While Canggu is well and truly on the international surf map, head north towards Cemagi and you’ll find lesser-known breaks often all to yourself.
Making the most of these waves, the Surf package at Pelan Pelan takes you out on the water no matter your experience or ability. For beginners, the professional surf guides will teach you the basics (including ocean safety, paddling techniques, and how to stand up) and will carefully choose which breaks are best for you. If you’ve already mastered Bali’s waves, then the instructors will guide you through development and improvement, and take you to bigger breaks. Surf’s up!
Want in? Check out Pelan Pelan’s website for more info.
Pelan Pelan, Jl Banjar Batan Tanjung, Cemagi Mengwi, p. +62 81 80 55 93 180, e. [email protected].
This story is in partnership with Pelan Pelan
