Silence Over Bali: Stillness, reflection and renewal for Nyepi, Balinese New Year
March 14 – 21, 2026
A Rare Invitation to Pause
Step Into Silence and Stillness in the Heart of Bali
Once a year, the island of Bali goes quiet. No cars. No lights. No distractions. Known as Nyepi, this sacred day of silence offers a rare opportunity to disconnect from the noise of daily life and reconnect with something deeper. Held in the stillness that surrounds Nyepi, this yoga and Vedic Meditation retreat is an invitation to reflect, reset and return to yourself — gently and without pressure, supported by nature, community and daily practice.
Dates: March 14–21 2026
Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Hosts: Alexandra McRobert & Rory Kinsella
What to Expect
Daily Vinyasa Yoga with Alexandra McRobert, Sober Yoga Girl - energizing morning practices to awaken your body and mind
Twice Daily Meditation Sessions with Rory Kinsella, Vedic Meditation teacher – morning and evening meditations to help you build a sustainable personal practice you can take home and continue for the rest of your life
Sober Coaching Sessions with Rory – explore sobriety, conscious living, and your highest potential
Sharing Circles with Alex – deepen your connection to yourself and the intimate community around you
Evening Kirtan and Sacred Song – uplifting music and mantra to open the heart
Vegetarian/vegan breakfast, lunch and dinner daily – nourishing, vibrant meals to fuel your soul
Luxury Accommodations – private villas in a rural paradise, far from the hustle and bustle of downtown Ubud.
Single and twin rooms available. Most participants will be travelling alone and we will use our best judgement to assign shared rooms with people of the same gender who we think you will get on with.
Getting to know new people is one of the best parts of a retreat and sharing a room is the best way to do it.
Your Retreat Home: Kampung Uma Dewa
Our retreat will be at a beautiful retreat venue just outside of Ubud, with a swimming pool and on the rice terraces. All meals will be vegetarian and included. Dietary restrictions welcomed. Get blissed out as you unwind by the natural water swimming pool or wander around the idyllic rice fields.
Accommodation
King Bed Single Room — $2795 USD
Bathroom shared with one other room in private villa
Secure your spot now with a $500 deposit.
Shared Room – Twin Beds — $2150 USD
Bathroom shared with one other room in private villa
Secure your spot now with a $500 deposit.
Meet Alexandra and Rory
Alexandra McRobert is a Canadian yoga teacher, coach and the founder of the Mindful Life Practice – a global movement helping people explore life beyond alcohol through the tools of yoga, connection and self-reflection. Formerly a schoolteacher in the Middle East, Alex’s journey to sobriety was a turning point that reshaped every part of her life. She now leads international retreats, teaches online yoga classes, and hosts the Sober Yoga Girl podcast, which has inspired thousands of listeners around the world.
Alex’s teaching is heartfelt and inclusive, rooted in the philosophy that yoga is for everyone – regardless of age, experience or background. She brings warmth, humour and authenticity to her classes, encouraging people to be curious, gentle and courageous as they explore their inner world. Whether you’re sober, sober curious, or just looking for more meaning and connection in your life, Alex creates a space where you can feel seen, supported and empowered to grow.
Rory Kinsella is a British-born, Sydney-based meditation teacher and sobriety coach who helps people shift their relationship with alcohol through the power of Vedic Meditation. After a successful career in journalism and digital media, Rory found meditation during an early midlife crisis period, and it became the foundation for a more purposeful life. He’s since taught thousands of professionals, creatives and seekers how to establish a consistent meditation practice – and, for those ready to make a change, how to let go of alcohol for good.
As founder of Wise Monkey Way, Rory combines ancient wisdom with modern psychology to guide people through lasting change. His teaching style is practical and grounded, with a strong focus on nervous system regulation and identity transformation. Whether you’re new to meditation or deepening an existing practice, Rory brings a steady, relatable presence and a clear understanding of how to move from overthinking to inner calm.
Alexandra and Rory leading a fireside circle in Bali
The Story Behind Alcohol-Free Retreats
What began as a professional connection over Zoom in 2020 quickly turned into a creative partnership grounded in a shared passion for meditation, sobriety and helping others live more consciously.
Rory and Alexandra first collaborated on podcasts, drawing on their own experiences of living alcohol-free and supporting others to do the same.
After finally meeting in person in Bali in 2023, the spark of connection deepened. Conversations turned into plans, and those plans became their first in-person retreat in Bali in 2024 — a gathering that brought together people from around the world who were seeking more than just a holiday. The response was overwhelming. People didn’t just enjoy themselves — they left changed. From that first success, Alcohol-Free Retreats was born.
Today, Rory and Alexandra continue to co-create immersive experiences that blend yoga, Vedic Meditation, self-inquiry and community. Each retreat is designed to be welcoming, inclusive, and genuinely transformative — a chance to step away from habits that no longer serve you, and towards a life of greater clarity, presence, and freedom.
What people say
Hear what some of our 2024 Bali retreat guests had to say about their experience.
"I absolutely loved & will always fondly remember my 7 night Ubud retreat experience with Rory & Alex – wonderful combination of daily meditation & yoga. Amazing environment & very yummy vegetarian cuisine. Loved meeting, connecting & sharing with a lovely group of very interesting people from all over the world. I feel very grateful to have had this experience & thank Rory & Alex for making this happen 🙏🥰"
Bev, New Zealand
"The retreat was transformational for me and I loved meeting the other people on it, knowing we were all coming with a similar mindset and interest in improving our life journeys."
Anon
"The retreat was an excellent balance of theory and practice for both meditation and yoga in an amazingly beautiful environment."
Gen, Sydney
"It’s an experience that I’ll always remember! It helped me get out of my comfort zone, learn valuable tools for my sobriety, and step out of my daily life to reflect. The workshops were so informative and gave me a new perspective, but there were also moments of fun sprinkled throughout. Highly recommend!"
Priscilla, Washington State
"A wonderful experience I would recommend to anyone looking to explore meditation, yoga and behavioural change. With the gentle, fun, non-judgmental support of Rory an Alex, together with great connections I made with others in the group, I am so deeply happy to be free of drinking (and a couple of other bad habits!)"
Libby, Sydney
Pick your room option
King Bed Single Room — $2795 USD
Bathroom shared with one other room in private villa
Secure your spot now with a $500 deposit.
Shared Room – Twin Beds — $2150 USD
Bathroom shared with one other room in private villa
Secure your spot now with a $500 deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I come alone?
Absolutely. Many of our guests come solo. This retreat is a beautiful opportunity to meet like-minded people and form deep, supportive friendships.
Is this retreat only for people who are sober?
This retreat is sober-focused and alcohol-free, but you do not need to identify as "sober" to attend. It's open to anyone sober-curious, seeking clarity, wellness, and a fresh start for the new year.
Do I need meditation experience?
No prior experience needed! Rory’s daily "How to Meditate" workshops and twice-daily sessions are designed to teach beginners and deepen the practice for those with experience. By the end of the retreat, you'll have a personal meditation practice you can continue throughout 2026 and beyond.
What are the accommodations like?
We’ll be staying in a luxurious retreat complex with pool, outdoor yoga spaces, and beautifully appointed villas. There are king private rooms and twin share options (perfect for friends or solo travelers open to sharing). Couples are also welcome to book a shared room, which will come with king bed.
What’s included in the price?
7 nights luxury accommodation
Daily vinyasa yoga classes
Twice daily meditation sessions
Daily sober coaching and sharing circles
Evening kirtan
Vegetarian/vegan breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
Community connection, reflection, and transformation
Is the resort quiet?
The resort is extremely quiet by Bali standards, nestled in expansive rice fields with nature sounds all around.
Which airport is the closest?
Bali has only one international airport – Ngurah Rai in Denpasar.
Are transfers included?
Transfers are provided to and from the airport on the start and end dates – please let us know your flight details. If you are planning to extend your trip on the island before or after the retreat, you will need to cover your transport. Taxis are cheap and we can help book these.
Do I need to get a visa?
Yes – although most countries are eligible for the Visa on Arrival (inc Australia, UK and US).
You can get it in the airport, but it’s easier to get it online beforehand. It’s $30 USD and you want to get it direct from Indonesian immigration website, not an agency (there are many on Google).
This is the link: https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id
• Select your country
• Purpose: General visit or social
• Sub purpose: Tourism
• Visa type: Visa on Arrival 30 days
What if I've never meditated or done yoga before?
The retreat is beginner friendly – if you are new to either yoga or meditation, we will teach you everything you need to know to get started.
What is the cancelation policy?
• Retreats must be paid for in full before it begins, unless otherwise agreed.
• The deposit is non-refundable. It can be transferred to another retreat, training or online program.
• If the cancellation is made more than 120 days before the retreat starts, 80% of the total balance is refundable.
• Any cancellations made within 120 days before the program starts, the total balance is non-refundable. This is because the payment has already been made on your accommodation.
• However, you can use 50% of the refund balance to book any other programs with Alex or Rory.
How do I book my spot?
Secure your space with a deposit now or pay upfront. Spaces are limited!