Tantra Week in Northern Bali: Seven Days Through the Cycles of Life with Sira and Swami Amandeep

Each day follows the same basic shape, though the content changes as you move through the life stages. Mornings open with an active meditation or a yoga class, and brunch follows. After that come three group sessions spread across the day, with a long midday break and snacks to keep you going. Dinner is eaten together in the early evening, before the last session of the day. There are also evening social gatherings, and at some point in the week a surprise party where you're asked to dress like a teenager.

What sets this week apart from a general Tantra or yoga retreat is the structure. Rather than a loose mix of practices, the programme goes through life in seven-year blocks, revisiting each stage in order. The idea is that an unresolved experience at a certain age keeps shaping how you live and love, so each day you go back to one phase, work with whatever comes up, and move on to the next. The teachers bring in hypnotherapy-based techniques to work with the subconscious, alongside Kundalini and chakra practices and exercises exploring masculine and feminine polarity.

The retreat was created by Ma Ananda Sarita, who became a disciple of Osho in 1973, stayed with him until his death in 1990, and has taught this retreat for over 20 years. She now passes it to teachers she has trained. Sira trained with her for over a decade and is the first woman Sarita has trusted to lead it in recent years. Swami Amandeep has studied with her since 2016 and focuses on emotional release and trauma work.

Safety gets real attention. Groups are formed by application, every exercise is optional in how deep you go, non-contact versions are always offered, sexual activity is not part of the group room, and dedicated assistants are present for emotional support throughout.

The venue is a resort in northern Bali, three to four hours' drive from the airport and far from the busy south. You get a pool, garden, terraces and a spa, plus the ocean right there. Nearby you can find coffee and spice plantation tours, hot springs, snorkelling, diving, kayaking and paddleboarding, though most of your time will be spent in the group room.

Come prepared: the packing list includes a blindfold, two sets of white clothes for rituals, a red dress for women, a massage sheet, body butter or massage cream (no oil), a hand mirror, and clothes you can sweat and dance in.

What's included

- 6 nights accommodation in a shared room - Brunch and dinner daily, plus snacks - Water, tea and coffee throughout the day - Daily yoga - Daily meditation - Outing to a Balinese water temple - Use of the pool - Professional event photos - Pre and post retreat support from the organiser - Wifi

What's not included

- Flights - Airport transfers - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Spa and other additional treatments - Activities not in the itinerary - Laundry and tips for staff