I’m lying on a yoga mat, my eyes are closed, and tears are streaming down my face. I can’t quite figure out why I’m crying, but I just can’t stop the tears.
Then there’s the sensations: every nerve in my body is thrumming. I’m vibrating like a plucked guitar string, with my hands locked in what you could only describe as a T-Rex handhold. No, I’m not under the influence of anything (though if you told me I was, I would probably believe you).
In fact, this is all in the name of wellness. And I’ve got to this point purely through my own breath.
I thought I understood breathwork — I write for a health magazine for God’s sake! How wrong I was. Like many, I was quick to dismiss the hype around this buzzy wellness practice, assuming it was essentially what I was doing while taking a deep inhale and exhale during a workout. That was before I was whisked to Uluwatu with Aussie-founded PE Retreats.
Launched by Melbourne-based Personal Trainer Lauren Thomson, the idea behind PE Retreats is to offer like-minded people the opportunity to work out, socialise and relax together in beautiful local and international locations like Bali. The standout factor? It’s not your super intense (and intimidating) fitness retreat, or your ultra ‘woo woo’ mindfulness retreat. It’s somewhere in the middle, or not really at all. Confused? Allow me to explain.
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Catering to all types of people (busy professionals, parents, and individuals seeking a reset) of all ages and fitness levels; it’s basically an escape where you do some fitness, some mindfulness and some socialising. The whole purpose is to leave feeling refreshed, relaxed, recharged, and connected – physically revitalised, stress-free, mentally and emotionally restored, and deeply connected to yourself and others.
The retreat I attended is called the ‘Breathe Retreat’, a 5-night, 6-day escape that was based in the beautiful, sleepy beach town of Bingin. While days focused on HIIT & boxing workouts, alongside mindfulness and breathwork sessions, evenings were filled with social events that showcased the best bars, clubs and restaurants in the Bukit Peninsula.
The schedule
Each day at the retreat explored a different workout style, as well as mindfulness theme. HIIT workouts went beyond burpees and championed teamwork and team building, and usually-bleak beach workouts were the highlight of the week thanks to the camaraderie that had slowly built throughout our time together. Those bonds continued into morning mindfulness sessions where eye-gazing and journaling with (once) strangers became comfortable, and themes like self-love and vulnerability allowed us to become so much closer thanks to so many shared experiences.
Large chunks of the days were spent lounging by the pool, relaxing, socialising, or exploring the town of Bingin, while each evening offered reservations at popular dining spots like local-favourite The Cashew Tree or luxury beach club El Kabron.
Image: @sicfebvisuals
The PE Retreats breathwork session
It’s 11am, and roughly 7 of us — a mix of ages and backgrounds — are gathered in a large, glass-panelled room peering out to Uluwatu’s luscious green foliage. Meditation music is playing softly in the background, in the middle a stunning flower mandala with yoga mats and cushions laid out neatly in a circle. In short, it would be hard to find a more relaxing setting.
We start off slow with long, deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth, as coach Kaitlyn Menere (Holistic Psychotherapist and all-round goddess) explains what to expect over the next few hours. This is fine, I think, I can do this.
Then we’re introduced to the different types of breaths we’ll be practising today. Similar to the kind favoured by Wim Hof, it uses controlled hypoxia, or oxygen deficiency, via fast breathing and breath holds to change the balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the body. Yeah, it sounds pretty scary, but it’s considered low-risk and aids emotional healing, with studies suggesting it can be used to treat a wide range of psychological issues.
We’re guided through our practice by Menere, and it is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. Over three rounds, standing, sitting and lying down, we take rapid inhales, pushing them through the belly, chest and head in quick succession and in time her prompts. After each round of quick and controlled breathing we practise breath holds, too.
Just a few seconds into the first round I felt faint and my arms started tingling. In the second, I feel deep vibrations in my fingers, and my hands start to spasm. By the third, it feels like my whole body is trembling, with deep, quaking vibrations.
It’s incredibly intense: Some people are sobbing, others are laughing. Kaitlyn explains that she’s witnessed people have incredibly varied responses to the practice. It’s a uniquely intense experience that feels like you’re getting high off your own brain while triggering a huge release of tension and emotion. It’s challenging – both emotionally and physically – but I enjoy pushing myself through it, accepting the sensations and the tears springing from my eyes when I hear her assure us that ‘everything’s OK, everything’s all right.’
In the rest period afterwards I feel an overwhelming sense of calm (which is saying something given I’m in a room full of people I met only a few days ago) and a satisfying sense of exhilaration. We share our thoughts and breakthroughs while snacking on well-deserved pieces of chocolate. It’ll be an early night tonight.
Image: @sicfebvisuals
What else do I need to know?
Born from a love for health, fitness, and travel, PE Retreats isn’t just about the adventure – it’s about personal growth and forming lasting bonds through shared experiences – and leaving each guest and each destination better than it found them.
Accommodation
The retreat was held at Gypsea hotel Bali, a boutique hotel complete with 12 bungalows and luxury villas and a team of incredibly kind and helpful staff. The retreat gets exclusive access to the entire hotel, which means no other guests are there at the same time.
Inclusions
The retreat was a week-long, with accommodation included. Price depended on the type of room you selected, and whether you chose to share with another guest. The stay included daily breakfast, a spa treatment, group workouts, social events, a group rebirth session, morning mindfulness sessions and airport transfers.
Upcoming Retreats
PE Retreats has a number of upcoming retreats in 2024, including;
Move+ Retreat in Bali (August 26- September 1, 2024)
Breathe Lighter in Lombok (October 18-23rd, 2024)
With local weekend retreats and 2025 dates soon to be announced.
For more information on upcoming retreats or to book, visit; www.peretreats.com.au or stay up to date via their Instagram @peretreats_
