Bali Writing Retreat 2026
Devote yourself to four days of writing with heart – in paradise.
If you’ve found your way here, it means you’ve heard about the magic of The HeartWriting® Method – Rose Mascaro’s registered trademark curriculum that’s seen hundreds of writers face their fears, learn the intricacies of language, and write glorious words from the heart. Many are now writing their very own books under the editing guidance of Rose, a writer and editor with masters qualifications herself.
But Rose is so much more than just a writer. She’s a gifted teacher of language and writing of 20 years, plus a spiritual guide and sound healer, ready to awaken your creative heart and help you get those words on the page.
Join us in Ubud in June 2026 for creative writing bliss.
Throughout The HeartWriting Retreat we will weave together the magic of Bali, with the skills of literature, merged with ancient spiritual creative wisdom, to experience your deepest writing experience yet.
A deeply integrative, academic and holistic program that provides you results and personal healing over four days.
Nurture your words and nudge your sacred creative awakening.
24– 27 June 2026
- Daily shamanic writing ceremonies
- Heart theory & modern literature
- Creative meditation & gentle yoga
- Language & literature workshops
- Healthy vegetarian banquet meals
- Heart-led creative community
- Balinese culture, nature & creativity.
Writers need more nurturing than ever...
For some reason people think that writing is a magical, innate, solo journey. That you either ‘have it’ or you don’t. But what if you just need some time, technique, community and healing to reawaken your creative heart?
I'm Rose Mascaro
founder of heartwriting, author of the heart writing handbook
Equipped with a Master of Arts in creative writing, a former career as magazine editor, a decade of spirituality and awakening, and working as a ghostwriter for Lisa Messenger… plus taking hundreds of students through my holistic and academic writing courses – I know that this retreat is going to be a gift of awakening.
We will weave together the magic of Bali...
with writing skills and ancient traditions...
to experience healing through writing.
We’ll start with an ancient writing ceremony for healing and transformation. But this won’t be our only writing activity!
Merged with the signature magic of the HeartWriting curriculum, by the end of this retreat you will have several scenes polished, forming the bones of a transformative short story.
After the retreat, Rose will also act as your editor, helping you to shape it into publishable perfection.
You are more than welcome to use the retreat to work on your own content/ book, infusing some of the taught techniques into your writing of choice.
Alex Larach
Our retreat centre:
The Ark
A lush and established retreat venue nestled in the jungle town of Ubud, 500 metres from the main street, these grounds were recently renovated to ensure ultimate comfort and quality.
There are six gorgeous rooms available. All rooms are cleaned immaculately, with daily servicing, cute Balinese touches, and exceptional customer feedback. The beds and linen are of the highest quality.
The grounds are diverse, hosting a variety of stunning group circle locations, as well as gorgeous nooks and day beds for private writing. There is a large pool and a yoga shala on site, a fire pit, sauna, and a restaurant with a range of options.
Arielle, August 2024
Also keen to join the 8 Week HeartWriting Course in 2026?
This ensures the best possible preparation for the retreat (and results in your writing). However, these are two different offerings: the retreat is for writing and healing; the course is for learning and upskilling via Rose’s creative writing credentials AND the complete HeartWriting Method. You can get the highest $ off by joining both at checkout, or you’ll be given a discount code to purchase the course later, after you’ve purchased the retreat.
$400 off if purchasing with the retreat. You’ll be sent the pre-reading and course portal immediately on purchase.
back to retreat details
WHEN + WHERE:
24–27th June 2026, The Ark Retreat Centre, Ubud, Bali
Arrive at 2.30pm on the 24th June. Our program finishes at 11am on Saturday the 27th June. We strongly recommend flying in at least the day before our retreat and heading straight to Ubud to acclimatise – there’s loads of accommodation options. You could also head to the coast or one of the islands after the retreat. Treat yourself to a luxe holiday in paradise!
Accommodation:
Standard rooms with bathroom, twin share (2 x single beds per room)
1 x larger deluxe room with bathroom, twin share (2 x single beds)
2 x private rooms with bathroom
All rooms have been recently renovated with new furnishings and extremely comfortable beds – it really does feel like a treat to stay at The Ark.
STANDARD ROOM Cost:
Earlybird $1900 upfront or bimonthly payment plan [CLOSED NOV 1]Second round tickets: $2000 upfront / monthly payment plan [CLOSE JAN 15 2026]
Third round tickets: $2100 upfront / monthly payment plan [CLOSE MARCH 15 2026]
Fourth round tickets: No more payment plan. Single payment only.
Includes everything except for flights and transfers.
TERMS AND CANCELLATIONS:
See the bottom of this page. Making your first payment means that you have agreed to our Terms and Cancellations Policy.
what's included
- Balinese fire ceremony
- Daily yoga classes
- Creativity meditations
- Writing workshops
- Heart circles + sharing
- 1 x massage included
- 1 x retreat gift bag
- Delicious vegetarian catering
- Silent afternoons of writing
- Shamanic writing ceremonies
- Instrumental sound healing
- Lush dinners with storytelling
- Evening sound healing journey
- Pool, infrared sauna, shala and spa
- Housekeeping, coffee, tea, snacks
- Locally crafted bath products
- Dinner and drinks at Zest Ubud
AND: - Ten Days of HeartWriting Course, valued at $199
- 1 x mentoring session post-retreat
- Editing: 1 x 2000 word piece
- Discount to join the online 8 week course
draft itinerary
Wednesday
- 2.30pm check in with cool towel and drink on arrival
- 3pm welcome with Rose in the yoga shala
- 4.30pm free time, writing, get ready for evening
- 6pm dinner banquet
- 7pm opening fire ceremony with Balinese Priest
Thursday
- 7am breakfast + walk
- 8.30am yoga and meditation
- 9am HeartWriting Workshop #1
- 11am free time
- 12pm lunch
- 1pm – 3.30pm silent writing on grounds
- (massages scheduled throughout afternoon)
- 3.30pm sharing time in shala
- 4–5pm creativity of the feminine workshop
- 5–7pm free time
- 7pm dinner banquet
- 8pm sound healing in shala
Friday
- 7am breakfast + walk
- 8am yoga and meditation
- 9am HeartWriting Workshop #2
- 11 – 1pm free time and lunch
- 1–4pm silent writing afternoon
- (massages scheduled throughout afternoon)
- 4pm get ready + free time
- (Ice bath if there are more than 6 people interested)
- 6pm Dinner at Zest Restaurant (short walk) followed by optional cocktails and music
Saturday
- 7.30am breakfast + walk
- 8.30am HeartWriting Session #3 + yoga + meditation
- Readings from journals + Heart Words Box
- 10.30am pack up + load luggage at front.
- 11am – goodbyes and group photos!
Meet Rose, your host
It’s a pleasure to connect with you! I’m Rose, a published writer, novelist, ghostwriter, magazine editor, book editor, and English teacher. I’m also a yoga and meditation teacher with a decade of spirituality immersion behind me and a one year spirituality mentorship training with Ava Irani (functionalspirituality.com). With a Master of Arts in Creative Writing, and former editor career at Lovatts Media, I’m qualified to teach you a range of advanced writing techniques with a spiritual twist.
With 100+ graduates over the last 5 years, and overflowing with glowing testimonials, many have gone on to write their own books and lead heart-fuelled creative lives.
Testimonials
Raeleen
Rose always instinctively knows what's needed in her guided meditations and the collective energy of the group is pure magic! I have grown so much with Rose. My heart has opened and my writing? ... well, I've almost finished my book. Heartwriting in Ubud here I come!
Grace
I highly recommend HeartWriting for those who love learning with a spiritual lens and want to develop or mature their writing ability in a supportive space. Rose radiates with beautiful wisdom and has an authentic way of teaching that is articulate, inspiring, heartfelt and passionate.
Delys
The talented Rose shared so much of her vast knowledge with us and was very generous with her time and resources. I have wanted to get back to writing for many years but this course was the impetus to get my words moving again. I loved it so much I have enrolled in the advanced course!
Kelly
I cannot shout loud enough to anyone who is thinking about working with Rose that they need to run, not walk. It will be one of the biggest acts of self-care you’ll enact all year. There will not be a more well rounded or supportive course of its kind out there I assure you!
Alex
I attended the 2025 Bali Retreat – I wrote more than I had in the six months prior to the retreat over the three/four days. The practice for teaching writing is unlike most that I have investigated. I came home filled with confidence in my ability to write and with so many new ideas in my mind. I cannot recommend working with Rose more.
important info
Full retreat terms and conditions can be read here.
Accommodation
You will be sharing a room with another person, unless you book a private room.
There are limited rooms at this venue, so there is only one more private room available.
I will pair you with the perfect person in the perfect room – leave it with me!
The beds and the rooms are so comfortable and stunning.
Deposit, Pricing and Payment Plan
Your first payment in the payment plan is non-refundable.
[There is a grace period of 14 days after paying your deposit if circumstances change and you need to cancel. Refund may take 14 days.]
If you cannot attend the retreat (and it’s more than three months before retreat) your further payments can go towards a future retreat. If you cancel within 90 days of retreat, your payments are not transferable and you’ll need to make a travel insurance claim. This is why it’s important to take out travel insurance as soon as you book this retreat – to cover both of us!
The full terms can be read here.
Flights, Transfers, Documentation
You will need to book and pay for your own flights and transfers. We recommend booking with Batik Air, Jetstar, Qantas or Virgin. A Skyscanner search may reveal special deals through travel centres, such as Aunt Betty (Flight Centre).
You can organise transfers to and from the airport with our retreat centre, or simply download the Grab app to book a reliable driver from the airport via the Grab lounge.
It is the responsibility of our guests to arrange their own transportation to Bali. This includes booking flights, and any other necessary travel arrangements.
Additionally, it is the guest’s responsibility to ensure that they have any required documents to enter Bali.
We send out a detailed pre-retreat guide and additional email reminders to ensure you are organised with all the correct documents and visas.
Retreat Requirements
You must have active and valid travel insurance within a month of booking your retreat.
You must meet Bali’s entry requirements at the time of travel.
You must have a valid passport and be fit mentally and physically to travel abroad.
You must be able to sit on the floor of a yoga shala for extended periods, and you must be able to ride on the back of a scooter to get to the entrance from the carpark. (Staff will carry your luggage, don’t worry – just WhatsApp us when you’re at Alchemy Yoga carpark).
Furthermore, Bali’s streets and sidewalks are unpredictable, and you’ll need to be able to walk to dinner on uneven terrain.
Mental health is a significant requirement. You must disclose any mental health issues that may impact your participation in the retreat, as we do not offer therapy in the program. Writing and sharing of personal stories may trigger emotional events for yourself or others. Every person’s safety at this retreat is paramount, and HeartWriting reserves the right to refuse entry, or remove entry to anyone, at any time before or during the retreat, if mental health is of concern to themselves or others.
You must be 21+ years of age.
You must purchase travel insurance (as soon as you book) to cover unforeseen issues.
As a small business, exceptions to our policy cannot be made for any reason.
We do not offer credit or refunds for illness, acts of God, a guest arriving late or leaving early for any reason. Take out insurance to cover yourself.
