Can you imagine having 8 days all to yourself in a secluded Balinese seaside village?
Making art - in between swims, padding upstairs to a yoga class overlooking turquoise waters, floating downstairs to devour delicious healthy food cooked by our own chef, and then falling asleep to the sound of the sea? We have just 5 places left
Join us for an enriching, restorative, inspiring 'CREATIVE PLAY' retreat, amid the breathtaking setting of East Bali, with British artist and designer Liz Murphy.
Loved the whole thing. Food was amazing and plenty of variety. Staff amazing ... I just thought you did the retreat so well. I felt totally satisfied with the way you made it all happen and made us all feel very special. You really were the glue. Very professional.
The exhibition was just so beautifully put together.
Lyn Mowday, Busselton, Australia, 2019
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Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, we stopped playing. Given that it's a now well-known fact, that play can add joy to life, relieve stress, supercharge learning, and connect us to others and the world around us.... I say BRING IT ON and let's get our hands dirty together!
The 'Creative Play Retreat' is designed for those who are curious to explore their own unique untapped creativity in a safe, uplifting, and nurturing environment. Whether you’re a confident artist, writer, or yogi, or just setting out to discover your innate talents, this magical experience will see you flourish amongst the nurturing expertise, stunning surroundings, invigorating new friendships and community.
There will be fun cultural day excursions booked to fill up your creative well and add some spice to your painting.
Experience the joy that arises from being truly relaxed in a setting that is immersed in nature and encourages unselfconscious expression. Guided by your own intuition, you'll be encouraged to play like a child while enhancing your own skills and artistic talent.
Along with 40-hours of tuition from Liz, this really special retreat also includes:
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A full day tour into the beautiful East Bali region of Abang for guided plein air drawing of botanicals, and a swim in the royal bathing ponds fed by natural spring waters, before a hidden gem lunch treat of gourmet Balinese delicacies as you view the majestic Mt Agung, Bali's famous, most revered volcano (yes, we have three here!)
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Boating and snorkeling with a guide - optional, of course
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Cooking'n'Cocktails with our executive chef - cook your own 7-dish megibung with tips and recipes to be able to make it at home - plus our Signature Nilaya cocktails and snacks as you stir the sauce!
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A stylish night out on the town with fine dining, cocktails and live jazz
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Daily yoga (including 'proper' chair yoga so everyone is included!), starting with a 30-minute breathwork session when you arrive, and a full yoga session after painting, with alternative days for extra long shavasana and 2 guided deep rest yoga nidra sessions
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A 60-minute deliciously restorative Balinese massage or reflexology treat with our expert masseuses using Sensatia's pure sweet almond oil infused with restorative essential oils where you choose your favourite scent - Meditation or Relaxation.
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A 90-minute heavenly, live sound-bathing experience (some call it 'sound therapy' or 'healing' - we just call it divine) that will have your senses and imagination floating ...
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plus your choice of accommodation and breakfast for 8 nights + airport collection + most meals
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with the last afternoon free for shopping or more pampering
A luxurious week where all you need do is turn up each day after breakfast (and perhaps an early-morning dip? ... the snorkeling is fabulous), having taken the short walk in our pretty village to Villa Nilaya, where our first 30 minutes of the day are spent with yoga teacher Angelina, who'll lead us in some calm and focusing breathwork - pranayama - and then to art ...
Lean into a deeply restorative, full, luxuriant yoga class on our beautiful teak-floored yoga space.
Stretch, breathe and relax deeply ... drift off to sleep, perhaps, to the sound of the lapping sea at the end of the garden .... before padding downstairs as evening gathers, for a healthy, delicious buffet dinner prepared by our own Villa Nilaya chefs, with alternate evenings all yours to spend discovering the seaside dining venues in our village of Mendira near Candi Dasa.
Choose from one of three accommodations - from cute Balinese bungalows to luxe-plus resort suites, all venues have dining facilities if you fancy a night at home. Your 8-nights' accommodation with breakfast is included in the retreat price. There is nothing else to pay. See the Accommodation
Liz and I warmly invite you to join our small group for this delicious art experience by the sea in beautiful Bali.
WHO WILL THIS RETREAT SUIT?
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Liz's way of teaching will excite you with its immediacy, freedom and the pure delight of following your instincts, so it's for all those curious to play like a child, discover their inner artist and unleash their creativity to produce some decidedly grown up art!
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The YOGA is suitable for ALL LEVELS of experience, including novices and for those with restricted movement we'll have a 'chair yoga' alternative for you.
ART RETREAT DATES & extra nights
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STARTS on ARRIVAL DAY (DAY 1) You will be collected from the airport, The drive to our village is about 90-minutes. The Retreat STARTS after lunch on DAY 1.
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ENDS after breakfast on DEPARTURE DAY (DAY 9), There is no program today and checkout time is 12 from your hotel.
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Arriving early or staying longer is highly recommended!
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Anna has secured special hotel rates for a limited period if you wish to arrive early/stay longer. Please enquire.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
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With 40 hours over 11 art sessions of dedicated tuition time with Liz
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You will create 4 small canvases plus works on quality paper
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BONUS : Watch as Liz work on a large 'masterclass' canvas throughout the week
MANY ART MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED
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Paints and mediums, mark making tools, crayons, pastels,
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Brushes
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Canvases
Your finished works on quality, deep stretched canvases will be hung for the final night exhibition ... we call it 'floaty dress night' ... it's a distinctly Balinese-style cocktail evening celebration of your achievement with a fabulous night of entertainment.
HERE'S WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING WITH YOU:
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2 sketch books
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Your brushes and favourite painting tools
Professionally trained artist, Liz Murphy was born and raised in Surrey, England, studying Graphic Design at Kingston University. Before starting her own company, she held various roles including creative directorships in London-based design agencies, designer of a range of kids' products, and illustrator of New York Times bestselling children’s books.
Liz moved to the United States in 2005 with her family and settled just outside of New York City, launching her own interior design company, and then wham! life changed - 12 years later Liz decided that it was time she gave herself permission to dive into creative play, the way she remembered as a child.
With a deep and varied well of creative experiences to draw from, free from the expectations and limitations of working to a client brief, Abstract Expressionism became the perfect way to explore her internal landscape - what she hadn’t anticipated was quite how powerful a medicine her art practice was to become on her 'healing journey.'
With a background as an art historian and art gallery owner, my collaboration with artists continues to be a fascinating career which evolved into specialist art retreats designed to combine seriously good art tuition with authentic cultural experiences.
The practice of yoga has under-pinned Creative Living Retreats, as a source of focus for creative inspiration - so whether you join us as a novice or a yogi, each day presents a new yoga journey with our intuitive teachers to Live Creatively.
Over a decade, many retreatants have returned for our thoughtfully curated weeks of supported creativity, and I genuinely look forward to welcoming you to experience the depth of wellbeing for which Creative Living Retreats have become well known.
Many thanks for a magnificent experience
Glenda Wise, Melbourne, Australia
on the Este MacLeod Florabunda Retreat 2022
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How does the retreat work?
With our varied evening programs, each day is a little different, but the working part of our program is like this:
Read More.....
BREAKFAST At your hotel. Walk to the retreat hub, Villa Nilaya - about an 8 -10 minute walk away.
MORNING 9.00 - 9.30 am on all mornings other than day tour and boat trip days
BREATHWORK yoga 'pranayama' to calm, meditation to focus, 'sound bathing' to inspire
ART SESSION I 9.30 -12.30 with morning tea
LUNCH BREAK 12.30- 1.30
ART SESSION 2 1.30 - 4.30 with afternoon tea
YOGA 4.45 - 6.15
DINNER 6.30 When at Villa Nilaya, dinner follows yoga, and is a buffet of Balinese dishes, zesty, but not spicy hot
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The full day tour includes a plein air drawing session with Este, a gourmet Balinese lunch and a second art-making session.
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OPTIONAL boat trip includes a morning picnic
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You’ll also have three free evenings with several dining options within just a few minutes' walk of the villa and your hotel.
Speaking of food ...
Balinese food is very flavoursome, with complex flavours that you'll learn about in our chef-led cooking experience. Even spicy food is not fiery, but tangy with galangal, lime, coriander and ginger.
Let Anna know of your special dietary requirements at booking.
What does your Retreat include? Practically everything except your airfare !
see all the inclusions >
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A/C Airport Taxi collection with name board on arrival at the International Airport
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Accommodation with Breakfast for 8 nights in your choice of beachside hotels and bungalows
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40 Hours of Art Tuition with Liz Murphy over 11 sessions
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All Listed Art Materials
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You should bring a sketch pad - more details in pre-retreat information
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Yoga Classes – gentle stretchy, restorative and deep relaxation yoga suitable for experienced yogis as well as those looking forward to trying yoga for the first time, and more advanced for those wishing to extend their practice.
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Breakfasts 8
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Lunches 5 - buffet, provided at Villa Nilaya during the retreat. We serve really fresh food, with an emphasis on vegetarian, tofu and seafood protein, and not too starchy (quinoa and red rice often replaces white rice).
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Morning and afternoon teas each day
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Bottled Water available throughout the retreat
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Dinners 5 including:
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‘Welcome Dinner BBQ' at Villa Nilaya (dietary restrictions catered for - please advise)
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Exhibition Night Dinner and concert performance
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Cooking and Cocktails with our executive chef Pak Dewa Ardika
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A fine dining and jazz dining experience in town
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Balinese Massage or reflexology treatment in house at Villa Nilaya
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a sound-bathing event (some call it 'sound healing or sound therapy ... we just call it divine!)
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and surprises along the way,,,,,
Thank you Anna for convening this fabulous experience.
Your style, grace and attention to detail made everyone feel important. Sharing your home for those days of art and food and armchair yoga will be a special memory for me to hold.
You have gathered an amazing staff around you ... thank you again.
I loved Florabunda.
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Gloria C. Queensland, Australia. Florabunda 2022
What's not included
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airfare
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travel insurance
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personal expenses
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return taxi (you can pre-pay this when you book )
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3 dinners and 2 lunches - our village of Mendira has several excellent 'warungs' - local restaurants