Bali Writing Retreat 2026
Join us in Ubud for three days of writing bliss and heart connection.
24– 27 June 2026
- Daily shamanic writing ceremonies
- Heart theory & modern literature
- Creative meditation & gentle yoga
- Sound Healing at Pyramids of Chi
- Language & literature workshops
- Balinese Agni Hotra Fire Ceremony
- Healthy vegetarian banquet meals
- Heart-led creative community
- Bonus 10 Day course + editing
- Balinese culture, nature & creativity.
Watch this video and witness the magic for yourself...
This retreat is lovingly designed as a creative ‘coming home’ to yourself.
Throughout The HeartWriting Retreat we will weave together the magic of Bali, with the skills of literature, merged with ancient spiritual creative wisdom, to connect back in with your heart… and experience your deepest writing experience yet.
A deeply integrative, academic and holistic program that provides you results and personal healing over four days.
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.
This retreat is a hosted writing experience facilitated by Rose. Accommodation, meals, and on-ground services are provided by our trusted venue partner in Bali: The Ark, Ubud.
Accommodation + Tickets
The Ark Retreat Centre is a spiritual and intimate venue, well-known in Ubud, and bursting full of magic. This isn’t just a public hotel – it’s a designated spiritual retreat centre and our own private home during our stay. Each living space is filled with tarot cards, crystals and candles to help you drop deeply into your intentions for this retreat.
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.
- Venue: The Ark, Ubud
- Lush beds with mosquito nets
- Views of the jungle or shala
- All rooms airconditioned
- Daily housekeeping service
- Generous vegetarian catering
- Oil diffuser & gemstones in room
- Tropical style bathroom
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.
Stunning Location
Tropical Balinese gardens framed by mountains and rice paddy fields, a stunning undercover shala to sit in circle, outstanding restaurant, and gorgeous nooks and private cabanas for writing.
Semi-Silent Retreat
Silence and space encourages that glorious state of heart connection and theta flow state. This sacred writing retreat is inspired by Vipassana Retreats, and Ava Irani’s Functional Spirituality Retreats, which are labelled ‘semi-silent’. Rose practises this every day to encourage more ideas to flow, and less anxious space-filling in her life and interactions.
Heart Nourishment
Our days will be filled with nourishing and inspiring activities for the heart, including writing workshops, movement and meditation, sound healing, sensory walks, and healthy meals all prepared by the chefs at The Ark.
Writing Technique
We’ll be exploring an intuitive writing theme supported through the learning of technique to help you uncover your deepest writing potential. The themes and techniques for our group will be uncovered in the weeks leading up to our retreat.
Creative Community
It’s so important to connect deeply with other creatives who share in your values and heart. Bringing heart-centred writers together in healing, learning and harmony is a big part of HeartWriting’s mission.
Movement & Meditation
Gentle movement and deep meditation is the antidote to stuck energy and creative blocks. This retreat is designed to clear the clutter from the top layer of your consciousness, and from there, creative magic can happen – revealing words and ideas you’ve never dreamed of.
Preparation (and after)
You don’t have to prepare at all – you can just show up and enjoy the magic of writing and learning! You’ll receive a comprehensive and inspiring workbook on arrival, as well as a beautiful bag of creative + self-care goodies.
After our retreat, you will hand in your piece writing to the group via our online portal, so you don’t have to finish all your writing on the retreat. Rose and Raeleen will act as your editors, giving you light editing and feedback – plus, you’ll get to read and give feedback on everyone else’s work.
However, for a little context, HeartWriting is more than just a journalling course for your heart. The full curriculum is a rigorous academic program designed to level up your writing skills exponentially – no matter what your dreams and aspirations are. You’ll receive the 10 day intro course with your ticket, which is a ‘face your fears and open your heart’ journey. It’s not compulsory to complete this mini course before the retreat – it’s just a bonus.
But if you want to get the most out of HeartWriting, it is a strong recommendation to sign up to the level 1 online HeartWriting course, which teaches the full HeartWriting program and leads into the level 2 book writing program. You’ll receive a discount code to apply to the course after signing up for the day retreat.
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 and Raeleen will also act as your editors, 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.
Testimonials
(clients last year loved it)
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!
Raeleen
I'm coming back for a second round, I loved it so much... and this time as an editor! Rose always instinctively knows what's needed in her guided meditations and lessons, and the collective energy of her groups is pure magic! I have grown so much with Rose. My heart has opened and my writing? ... well, I've finished my book and I'm about to have it published! HeartWriting in Ubud round two, here I come!
Alex
I attended the 2025 Bali Heartwriting Retreat with Rose Mascaro. I had tried yoga and meditation in the past and it never helped me but on this occasion I found the practice life-changing. I wrote more than I had in the six months prior to the retreat. 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 floating in my mind. I cannot recommend working with Rose more!
Delys
The HeartWriting Retreat in Ubud, Bali was a feast for all senses – the venue was amazing, providing delicious food and a very comfortable place to rest and renew. The retreat itinerary left us with full hearts every day. The words, the lessons and the people all connected into a very powerful experience for me. Rose created such a wonderful event and I'm coming back next year! Rose radiates with beautiful wisdom and has an authentic way of teaching that is articulate, inspiring, heartfelt and passionate.
With 200+ graduates of HeartWriting 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.
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:
5 x twin rooms with bathroom, twin share (2 x single beds per room)
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.
TERMS:
See the bottom of this page. Making your first payment means that you have agreed to our Terms and Cancellations Policy.
While we take great care in curating a seamless experience, certain elements of the retreat (including accommodation, meals, and local services) are managed by our venue partner. By joining the retreat, you acknowledge that these services are provided independently.
The retreat host (HeartWriting / Rose) provides facilitation, teaching, and hosting services only. Accommodation, meals, and on-ground services are provided by third-party partners. The host is not liable for any loss, injury, delay, or disruption arising from services provided by these third parties.
All participants are required to hold comprehensive travel insurance to cover travel, health, and personal belongings for the duration of the retreat.
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
- Pool, infrared sauna, shala
- Housekeeping, coffee, tea, light snacks
- Locally crafted bath products
- An evening of ancient sound healing at the Pyramids of Chi
- Final dinner and cocktail 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, sweet treat and coconut on arrival
- 3.15pm Welcome with Rose in the yoga shala
- 4.30pm Free time, writing, get ready for evening
- 6pm Opening dinner banquet
- 7pm Fire ceremony with Balinese Priest
Thursday
- 7.15am Yoga and meditation
- 8.15am Breakfast
- 9 – 11am HeartWriting Workshop #1
- 11am Free time
- 12.30pm Lunch
- 1.30pm Writing Task #1 in Shala
- 2pm – 4pm Silent writing on grounds
- (massages scheduled throughout afternoon)
- 4pm Sharing time in shala
- 4.30pm Free time
- 6pm Depart for Pyramids of Chi (taxi ride with a snack dinner box)
- 7–8.30pm Ancient Sound Healing at the Pyramids of Chi
- 9pm Return to The Ark, small dinner + dessert on arrival before bedtime
Friday
- 7.15am Yoga and meditation
- 8.15am Breakfast
- 9 – 11am HeartWriting Workshop #2
- 11am Free time
- 12.30pm Lunch
- 1.30pm Meet in Shala
- 2 – 3.30pm silent writing afternoon
- (massages scheduled throughout afternoon)
- 3.30pm Free time (Ice bath if there are more than 6 people interested)
- 6pm Dinner at Zest Restaurant (short walk) followed by optional drinks and music at a local bar
Saturday
- 7.30am Breakfast and walk
- 8.30am Meet in Shala for closing ceremony with yoga, meditation, writing
- 10am Readings from journals + Heart Words Wall, final song
- 10.30am Pack up + load luggage at front.
- 11am – Goodbyes and group photos!
- Can organise a small group tour with The Ark for additional cost.
Meet Rose, your host
It’s a pleasure to connect with you! I’m Rose, a published author, 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.
important info
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.
Cancellation Policy
Your first payment in the payment plan is non-refundable. However, there is a grace period of 14 days after paying your deposit if circumstances change and you need to cancel.
If you cancel for personal or emergency reasons within 90 days of retreat, your payments are not transferable or refundable. If there’s a family or health emergency and you have travel insurance, it’s easy to claim back your retreat ticket and flight costs. This is why it’s important to take out travel insurance as soon as you book this retreat – to cover both of us!
War or Force Majeure
If War, Natural Disaster or an Act of God impacts our ability to attend the retreat (for example war-related oil shortages = flight cancellations and lockdowns) The Ark will allow us to reschedule our retreat to another date, but we won’t get a refund. Your payments will go towards that next retreat date, and I’ll do everything possible to make sure this all works out best for all of us.
Liability
While we take great care in curating a seamless experience, certain elements of the retreat (including accommodation, meals, and local services) are managed by our venue partner. By joining the retreat, you acknowledge that these services are provided independently.
The retreat host (HeartWriting / Rose) provides facilitation, teaching, and hosting services only. Accommodation, meals, and on-ground services are provided by third-party partners. The host is not liable for any loss, injury, delay, or disruption arising from services provided by these third parties.
All participants are required to hold comprehensive travel insurance to cover travel, health, and personal belongings for the duration of the retreat. retreat.
We are committed to making this retreat as safe, enjoyable, and viable for each one of you. We want you to feel secure in the experience you are about to have. Please direct all enquiries to Rose who can explain items in the Terms list in more detail.
Full retreat terms and conditions can be read here.
Can't come to Bali?
Maybe you'd like to join the HeartWriting online course. You've missed out on the live workshops for this year, but you can catch up right now.
The Online Retreat: 8 Workshops
Start now: the fast-track way to complete the workshop
8 x 2 hour workshop lessons
Lifetime access to the entire learning portal and lessons
Same homework & exercises as the live group
Free entry into ONE live class of your choice in 2026
Email Rose with questions + support
Share your writing in the HeartWriting Community Group
Learning portal of readings & resources
Free entry to the ‘Ten Days of HeartWriting’ valued at $199
Upgrade to the annual LIVE course later if you like!
Get started now!
$499
Experience the new self–paced course + online portal + resource library. Start at this celebratory price, join one of our live classes for FREE, and decide later to upgrade and join the LIVE course in Feb!
July Book Planning Course
live online
Have a book inside you, but don’t know where to start?
What does your heart really want you to write?
And how do you plan that book so that you can do it justice – to fall lovingly into the hands of the world?
It’s a very daunting task to plan, let alone write a book on your own…
This course is designed to give you the structure, tools and heart to get the project started.
The Book Planning course will be filled with strategy, structure, sharing, writing time, and fun.
All are welcome: past HeartWriters who want to pick up their books again and rework their design, writers (like Raeleen and TJ) who are moving on to book #2, and new HeartWriters who’d love this cozy winter course to kickstart their journey with Rose at a fraction of the cost of her more comprehensive courses.
All lessons will start with our glorious meditation and a little movement for awakening (my non–negotiable).
We will proceed to learning the various parts and methods of planning and putting a book together, and writing a book proposal, which operates as a foundation for you.
There will be no writing theory, literature and language in this course. That’s reserved for the Book Writing Course, August to October, covering everything from fiction writing to memoir to self-help books.
3 Week Book Planning Course Dates
Friday July 10
Friday July 17
Friday July 24
9–10.30am (Sydney time)
Price: $299 earlybird/ $399 full price
Earlybird tickets end May 10
Keep a copy of all recordings of the course, plus slides and resources
Free entry to the ‘Ten Days of HeartWriting’ valued at $199