Breath Retreat 2026

Join James Nestor, the Breath Crüe, and an international circle of fellow breath enthusiasts for a memorable week of sunshine, jungle energy, immersive breathwork, and moonlit gong sound baths at a boutique resort in the spiritual heart of Bali. Together, we’ll dive into both the science and the art of breathing.

Every Breath Retreat has sold out, and only 5 rooms remain for Breath Retreat Bali.

What can breathing do for you?

For thousands of years, ancient traditions have used breathing as a form of medicine to support healing and calm the mind. More recently, modern science has shown that conscious breathing can measurably help reduce stress, blood pressure, anxiety, depression, snoring, chronic headaches, and even asthma and certain autoimmune conditions.

During this immersive weeklong retreat, we’ll explore a different breathing practice each day, moving from gentle, restorative techniques to more energizing breathwork methods that warm the body, stimulate a heightened immune response, and shift states of consciousness.

All registration levels are all-inclusive and include more than 30 hours of intensive breathing instruction and practice, individualized assessments and training, alignment and biomechanics, three handcrafted meals each day, and the chance to connect with extraordinary people from around the world.

By the end of the retreat, each guest will leave with a practical toolkit of breathing techniques to support their mental and physical well-being anytime, anywhere, for years to come.

Scene

The retreat center is set in the Balinese jungles of Ubud.

This is a natural jungle setting, raw and open to tropical elements. Expect monkeys, birds, insects, and other creatures nearby, along with stars and moonlight at night. You won’t just be near nature here — you’ll be fully immersed in it.

If you’re looking for a five-star, White Lotus-style luxury experience, this retreat is not the right fit. The Bali center has a more relaxed, bohemian, yoga-inspired atmosphere and typically hosts yoga teacher trainings throughout the year.

The more upscale rooms are more refined, while the standard rooms are simpler but fully functional. We chose this location for its privacy and its spacious, truly psychedelic meeting hall, where our breathwork and multimedia sessions will take place. We’ve wanted to offer a more budget-friendly retreat for years, and this was the ideal place to do it.

Between sessions, guests are free to wander, swim, sunbathe, or simply relax in the natural surroundings. We are also planning some day trips and ceremonies for those who would like to explore more of the area.

Packages & Cost

All Inclusive

Room rates are all-inclusive and cover food, lectures, breathwork, sunlight, moonlight, and everything else, except alcoholic beverages and optional spa services.

James Nestor and the Breath Crüe will be staying on-site and available throughout the week to answer questions, chat, and breathe with guests.

There are no hidden costs, no sneaky fees, and no timeshare pitches. Just arrive, and everything else will be taken care of.

Amenities in each room include air conditioning, bathrobe, direct dial phone, extra bed upon request, fountain / laundry service, mini bar, tea & coffee maker, work desk, slippers, turn down service, in-room safety box, non-smoking rooms, cable movie channel, LCD plasma screen, free WiFi, free internet access, private bathroom, and hair dryer upon request.

Rundown

• Daily lectures with James Nestor exploring the history and science of breathing
• Group and individual breathing instruction with a team of internationally renowned breathwork and alignment instructors
• Handcrafted local cuisine
• Sunrise and sunset breathwork
• Evening gong sound baths
• Yoga, Qi Gong, and alignment workshops
• Swimming pools, sunshine, monkeys, and vegan coconuts in Bali

Your Hosts

James Nestor is a science journalist and author of the international bestseller Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, translated into more than 45 languages and sold in over 3 million copies worldwide. He will lead daily multimedia information sessions, live expert interviews, and archival reviews on the history and science of breathing techniques. Throughout the week, he will also be available for individual questions and consultations.

In the evenings, Nestor will lead several sound baths, while during the day he will join the mats alongside the rest of the group for breathwork sessions led by the international Breath Crüe: Emma Estrela (UK), Michelle Riordan (Kinielty, Ireland), Mike Mol (Netherlands), Lauren Hudson (South Africa), and Joren de Bruin (Netherlands), with live music by Marc Capelle from San Francisco.

FAQ & Additional Details

Who Comes to Breath Retreat?

This retreat is designed for anyone who breathes. Guests receive clear instruction, support, and space to explore breathwork as deeply as they wish, from biomechanics basics and gentle nourishing practices to vigorous hour-long traditional techniques. At Breath Retreat, you are the pilot, not the passenger.

We have welcomed hundreds of people from more than 20 countries, including CEOs, physicians, artists, teenagers, octogenarians, solo travelers, couples, and multi-generational families. Children under 17 are not permitted.

How Much Does It Cost?

Program pricing ranges from two to five thousand dollars per person for the full week. Pricing includes all food, workshops, yoga, fitness classes, sound baths, sunsets, sunrise swims, and the now-famous Friday Night Dance Party Blowout. Alcoholic drinks and desserts are not included. Travel insurance, ground transportation, and flights are also not included.

What Kind of Food Will Be Served?

The chefs can accommodate a wide range of dietary needs. Their focus is locally sourced plant-based cuisine, with options for every preference, from paleo to vegan, pescatarian to breatharian, and everything in between. Meals are served buffet-style. For those seeking more protein, eggs are offered at every meal, and eggs plus fish are available at lunch and dinner. Smoothies, pastries, desserts, and more are available throughout the day. Wine and beer are available at your own expense.

What If I Need A Roommate?

Our Breath Retreat Concierge can arrange roommates for solo guests who would like to share a room.

Travel Insurance

Proof of travel insurance is strongly encouraged. It’s best to arrange it early, as unforeseen circumstances can arise before major events.

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. If a cancellation becomes necessary, Breath Retreat may try to find a replacement, but this is not guaranteed.

If a replacement is found, a $750 re-booking fee will be deducted from the refund, along with any outside vendor expenses and/or credit card processing fees incurred from the cancellation. Cancellations within 30 days of the retreat are fully non-refundable.

Schedule

The schedule is flexible and may shift depending on the flow of the event. Below is a general outline of what to expect. Each day includes generous free time for swimming, beach time, naps, work calls, drinks, and breathing in the blue sky and blue sea.

James and the Breath Crüe will remain on-site throughout the week to answer questions, chat, and breathe with guests.

Sunday — Personal assessments and opening ceremonies at 7pm. Relax, recover, eat, sleep, and swim. Breath Crüe will offer personal breathing and posture assessments throughout the morning and afternoon. Group dinner is at 6pm, followed by opening ceremonies with James Nestor and a multimedia lecture on why humans are the worst breathers — and how to fix it. The evening ends with meditative breathwork and a gong sound bath.

Monday — Qi Gong breathing. Sunrise yoga, group morning breathwork, personal assessments, a pre-lunch Qi Gong lecture with exercises, post-lunch breakout sessions on mechanics and alignment, sunset ocean swim, group dinner and drinks, and an evening Q&A with the Breath Retreat Crüe.

Tuesday — Breathing less. Sunrise yoga, morning group breathwork, a pre-lunch lecture on breath retention and CO2 training, optional beach HIIT, afternoon long breathwork, sunset ocean swim, and evening yoga nidra with sound bath.

Wednesday — Airway health and adventure day. Sunrise yoga, morning group breathwork, a post-lunch lecture on chewing, myofunctional therapy, and airway health, plus instruction with an expert myologist. In the afternoon, guests may head out to surf, hike, sightsee, or explore. Evening Q&A with James Nestor.

Thursday — Kundalini. Sunrise yoga, morning group breathwork, a pre-lunch Kundalini lecture with exercises, optional beach HIIT, an afternoon 90-minute intensive group kriya breathwork session, sunset ocean swim, group dinner and drinks, and an evening gong sound bath.

Friday — Tummo / Bon Buddhist breathing and closing ceremonies. Sunrise yoga, morning breathwork and individual assessments, a pre-lunch presentation on Bon Buddhist / Tummo breathing with exercises, an afternoon biomechanics breakout session, final personal assessments, a Tummo-based group breathwork finale, sunset ocean swim, and a final group dinner, followed by closing ceremonies and the Breath Retreat Dance Party Blowout.

Saturday — Au revoir. Long goodbyes and room checkout by 10am.

Cuisine

All guest packages include three locally sourced meals per day. The chefs specialize in plant-based cuisine, and each package also includes eggs at every meal plus local fish at lunch and dinner for paleo, keto, and pegan guests. Alcoholic drinks are not included in the package price.