The Ascent
to Bali
Hosted by Lindsay Janisse & Michelle Critch-Gilfillan
February 15th - 21st, 2026
Step away from the everyday and immerse yourself in a week of movement, stillness, nourishment, and connection in the lush jungles of Ubud. This 6-night retreat is designed to restore your body, reset your mind, and renew your spirit, while offering a deep dive into the culture, history, and sacred traditions of Bali.
Retreat Includes
Movement & Mindfulness
Elevate your practice and reconnect with your inner balance:
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Daily yoga, pilates, and meditation; with twice-daily sessions on non-excursion days
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Guided Yoga Nidra and sound healing to reset the nervous system
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Cacao ceremony to set intentions and foster connection within the group
Wellness & Indulgence
Restore your body and mind with curated experiences designed for deep relaxation and renewal:
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Traditional Balinese blessing ceremony upon arrival
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Festive welcome dinner to connect and celebrate together
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Two one-hour Balinese massages to soothe and rejuvenate
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Unlimited access to the sauna and cold plunge for total restoration
Daily Nourishment
Delight your senses with vibrant, wholesome meals crafted to nourish your body and energize your practice:
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Daily breakfast and dinner — plant-based with the option to add chicken or fish
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Free-flow coconuts, herbal teas, coffee, lattes, and matcha throughout the day
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Fresh, healthy snacks and seasonal fruits available anytime
Excursions & Culture
Step into Bali’s spiritual heart:
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Pura Mengening – a serene water temple with a holy waterfall. Participate in a Melukat purification ritual, letting the flowing waters cleanse and renew your energy.
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Pura Besakih – the Mother Temple of Bali, perched on the slopes of Mount Agung, an active volcano. Explore this vast, sacred complex and connect with centuries of Balinese Hindu culture and tradition.
Ease of Travel
Private airport transfers are included in your retreat pricing. We’ve taken care of the details so you can simply arrive and unwind.
Accommodations
Your private sanctuary in Ubud, designed to nurture rest, reflection, and a deep connection with nature. Each villa is thoughtfully crafted to blend comfort with tranquility, offering spacious interiors, calming décor, and seamless indoor-outdoor living that invites you to slow down and fully unwind. All villas come fully equipped with biodegradable organic body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion, alongside plush bathrobes, slippers, luxurious towels, hairdryers, and a bamboo toothbrush to keep. Natural light, soothing colors, and private garden spaces create an atmosphere of serenity, while carefully selected amenities ensure your stay is effortless and indulgent.
Every detail has been curated to enhance your comfort while honoring the natural environment, allowing you to relax, recharge, and reconnect—with yourself, the lush surroundings, and the rhythms of Bali.
Special Promotion
The first three bookings receive a complimentary upgrade to a Jungle View Villa (valued at $500), giving you an even more elevated Bali experience.
Rammed Earth Villas
Earth Villa (Standard - Single)
$3,500
Step into a Bamboo Earth Bungalow, surrounded by lush greenery, ponds, and peaceful outdoor spaces. Each villa is a cocoon-like retreat with rustic charm, traditional limestone walls, and thoughtful comforts for unwinding after a day of movement, meditation, and cultural exploration. Perfect for solo travelers seeking rest and renewal.
Earth Villa (Standard - Double)
$3,200 Per Person
Share the tranquility of an Earth Villa with a friend or partner, immersed in the same lush greenery, ponds, and peaceful outdoor spaces. These bungalows offer rustic charm, traditional limestone walls, and thoughtful comforts for unwinding after a day of movement, meditation, and cultural exploration.
Please have your roommate confirmed before booking.
Jungle View Villas
Jungle View Villa (Premium - Single)
$4,000
Wake up to breathtaking views of the river and seasonal waterfall in a spacious Jungle View Villa. Designed for ultimate relaxation, these villas offer modern interiors, abundant natural light, and private touches like flower baths and outdoor seating — perfect for solo travelers seeking an immersive nature experience.
Jungle View Villa (Premium - Double)
$3,700 Per Person
Experience Bali’s magic together in a Jungle View Villa. Spacious and luminous, with private flower baths and stunning vistas, these villas are ideal for couples or friends looking to connect, unwind, and soak in the lush surroundings.
Please have your roommate confirmed before booking.
Not Included
Flights, alcoholic beverages, travel insurance, lunch
(available at the resort or offsite during excursions).
Hosted by Lindsay Janisse & Michelle Critch-Gilfillan
Lindsay is a certified yoga and Pilates instructor with over a decade of experience helping people move with strength, intention, and ease. A former Broadway dancer, she blends her deep movement background with training in yoga, Pilates, and functional strength to create sessions that are personalized, empowering, and deeply restorative.
At the retreat, Lindsay offers dynamic, hybrid classes designed to meet you where you are—helping you reconnect with your body, breathe deeply, and move toward your healthiest self.
Michelle is a yoga teacher, Reiki practitioner, and retreat leader with over 15 years of experience. Based in Bali for the past eight years, she creates transformative retreats that blend yoga, meditation, and the island’s rich spiritual traditions.
With over 1,000 hours of yoga training and deep roots in meditation and Vipassana, Michelle guides students to return to their true selves—finding clarity, freedom, and inner peace through breath and presence.
Why Join Us?
The Ascent to Bali is more than a retreat — it is a journey of transformation and elevation. Each day blends mindful movement, restorative practices, sacred rituals, and cultural immersion to nourish your body, inspire your mind, and awaken your spirit.
You’ll enjoy exclusive access to the entire Solana Wellness Centre, creating an intimate, private environment for our group. The venue is just a 10-minute drive from downtown Ubud, giving you easy access to local artisans, shopping, restaurants, and cultural experiences. Michelle, who has lived in Bali for over eight years, will guide you through the retreat and can help you design optional excursions or activities during your free time, from secret waterfalls to local cultural experiences.
Return home not just rested, but renewed, recharged, and elevated, carrying with you a deep connection to yourself, your practice, and the magic of Bali.
Sample Daily Schedule
7:30am - Guided Meditation
8am - Yoga / Pilates
9:30am - Breakfast
11am - Free Time / Spa Sessions
4pm - Yoga / Pilates
6pm - Dinner
7:30pm - Free Time
All sessions and excursions are optional.
Payment & Terms
Reservation & Payment
Full payment is required to reserve your space. All payments are non-refundable.
What’s Included
Your retreat fee covers accommodations, daily yoga, pilates, and meditation classes, two meals per day, airport transfers, and two temple excursions. Prices do not include airfare, travel insurance, visas, international travel requirements in effect at the time of the retreat, or alcoholic beverages.
Airport Transfers
Private taxi service from Ngurah Rai Airport (Denpasar, DPS) to the retreat center is included. Please submit your flight itinerary to us in advance.
Visa & Passport Requirements
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USA passport holders require a 30-day visa ($35). We will assist with the visa application process—it’s very easy and takes only a few days.
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All visitors must have passports valid for at least six months with a minimum of two blank pages.
Travel Insurance (Recommended)
We strongly recommend purchasing travel and health insurance to protect your investment in case of unexpected personal circumstances, natural disasters, illness, or other unforeseen events. Groundwell and retreat leaders are not responsible for travel changes, cancellations, or health issues.
For best rates, purchase insurance within 21 days of paying for your retreat. If your flights are not booked at the time of purchase, you will need to add them to your policy afterward.
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For “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage, visit: www.insuremytrip.com
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For basic or premium plans, we recommend Allianz Travel Insurance | Call: 866-884-3556
