My 7-Day Retreat Experience at Firefly Retreat

After a difficult breakup, a close friend recommended Firefly Retreat in Bali to me. At first, I doubted whether a retreat experience could really help, but since I wanted to visit Bali, I decided to join the retreat as well. It turned out to be one of the most meaningful experiences of my life.

It was my first time attending a retreat, and to be honest, I had never been much of a yoga person. I even considered cancelling just a few days before it started. But once I arrived at Firefly Retreat and walked along the small path through the rice fields, something shifted. I was warmly welcomed by the team, who explained everything about the programme and helped me settle in. That evening, we had an introduction meeting where everyone shared their reasons for joining. Listening to others speak about their own journeys made me feel instantly more comfortable. I realised that many of us were there for similar reasons, seeking peace and healing.

As the days went by, we all grew closer and became good friends. Even now, a year and a half later, we still keep in touch and visit one another. I was even invited to the wedding of one of the guests I met during that same week.

The host, Ariel, was incredibly knowledgeable about herbal medicine and had a fascinating personality. At first, he seemed rather serious, but we soon discovered how genuine, kind and insightful he truly was. All of the staff at Firefly Retreat were exceptionally friendly and attentive. They remembered everyone’s name after the first day, which made the whole experience feel very personal.

The yoga teachers were excellent too, all of them local and very experienced. I appreciated that Firefly Retreat supports local teachers, as it made the yoga practice feel more authentic and rooted in Balinese culture. Another special aspect is that Firefly runs as a non-profit organisation. Knowing this made the retreat experience even more meaningful, as it was clear that the purpose of the retreat was to help people and support the community rather than to make profit.

Throughout the week, we learned about yoga, herbal medicine, Balinese culture and the connection between nature and well-being. It was far more than just a holiday. It was a life-changing experience that helped me reconnect with myself and see life from a new perspective.

If you are thinking of joining Firefly Retreat, I encourage you to do it. Give yourself the time and space to experience it fully, and you will not regret it. I hope to return next year for my second retreat experience at Firefly.

Thank you to the entire Firefly team for creating such a warm, genuine and healing place.

Kathy Quinn