Finding Strength from the Inside Out: Reflections on the Curves Bali Retreat
By Kim McQueen, CEO & President of Curves NA, Aus, & NZ
Every time we gather for a wellness retreat, a unique and distinct energy unfolds. Our recent Curves Bali Retreat at the peaceful Soulshine sanctuary in Ubud was no exception. This year brought together an incredible, balanced mix of women. We had long-term members, franchise owners, coaches, and even husbands and non-members, such as the daughters of our owners.
Seeing daughters in their late 30s and early 40s experience the Curves workout and brand values alongside their mothers added an entirely new dynamic to the trip. They walked away with a deeper connection to their mothers and a renewed appreciation for the business. This diverse group completely embodied the core of what we do: fostering a true, supportive sisterhood.
Rewarding Consistency and Celebrating Our Members
At Curves, we believe that creating a healthy lifestyle should feel motivating, celebratory, and deeply rewarding. We constantly run club promotions and major giveaways to celebrate the commitment of women who prioritize their health every single day. Maintaining a fitness routine can be challenging, and these initiatives are our way of encouraging women to keep showing up for themselves.
A true highlight of this trip was having our major wellness giveaway winner, Beverley Griffin from Curves Tamworth, join us in paradise. Beverley is a highly valued member of her local club, which is owned and operated by Sue Cowley. Last year, Beverley won our national bra-decorating competition to raise vital funds for the Olivia Newton-John Foundation. Her creativity and community spirit won her this trip, and she brought her daughter along to share the experience. Watching a top member fully immerse herself in the rewards of her consistency is exactly why we run these competitions.
Embracing the “If You Can, You Should” Mentality
The retreat environment encourages women to challenge their boundaries. For instance, Sue from Tamworth, who is 75 years young, decided to conquer a high-wire bicycle ride alongside her daughter simply because she could. That powerful sentiment—”if you can, you should”—rippled through our entire group all week.
Our daily schedule kept everyone beautifully active. We kicked off our mornings early with high-energy Curves strength and movement workouts at 6:30 AM. These sessions set a vibrant tone for the days ahead, ensuring everyone felt physically strong, confident, and motivated by the shared energy of the group. It proved that physical strength and vitality are accessible to women at every single stage of life.
Deep Wellness and Emotional Release
True health extends far beyond physical fitness or nutrition. This retreat allowed us to step fully into the broader wellness category, focusing on longevity, spirit, and the soul. Two experiences stood out as deeply transformative: the sacred water purification ceremony and a profound sound healing session.
For the water purification ceremony, we wore our traditional purple sarongs and journeyed deep into a sacred temple waterfall and cave. The recent heavy rains made navigating the cave precarious. This created a beautiful bonding moment as we all held hands to safely guide one of our older members who was managing a knee injury. Under the rushing waterfall, we participated in a cathartic screaming ritual. Letting go of pent-up feelings in that environment was incredibly powerful. We know that suppressed emotion can eventually manifest as physical illness, and this hour-and-a-half ritual allowed half a dozen of our women to experience an intense, beautiful emotional release.
Later in the week, we experienced a restorative sound healing session led by Andre, a phenomenal fifth-generation Balinese healer. Using gongs and crystal bowls, he created frequencies that felt like a wave of calming electricity through the mind. Andre read the energy of the room perfectly, delivering collective guidance about returning to our hearts and clearing the generational weights dragging through our lives.
Culture, Adventure, and Stepping into Wellness
Our itinerary balanced deep inner work with vibrant cultural immersion and customized adventures. We kicked off our first evening with a beautiful Balinese-style dinner, complete with traditional dancers, music, and a flower mandala ceremony where we set our personal intentions for the journey. We also learned the delicate art of making Canang Sari, the traditional daily floral offerings placed in front of Balinese homes and temples.
Throughout the week, members chose their own pace of adventure:
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- High Energy: A 3:00 AM wake-up call for a rugged volcanic Jeep tour up Mount Batur to witness a breathtaking sunrise, followed by a visit to local hot springs and a coffee plantation.
- Moderate Energy: A scenic bicycle tour winding through local villages and rice fields.
- Gentle Energy: A relaxed, peaceful day capturing stunning photographs on the famous terraced swings at Alas Harum.
We also enjoyed a professional silver jewelry-making workshop in a local garden, toured a chocolate factory, and gathered among the rice fields for a traditional duck lunch at the famous Bebek Tepi Sawah restaurant in Ubud.
The Ultimate Takeaway: One Hundred Percent for You
On our final evening, we gathered under the night sky for a powerful fire ceremony. We symbolically burned the elements we no longer wanted in our lives while setting intentions for what we wished to welcome next.
As women, we spend our entire lives managing schedules, running households, looking after children, or managing businesses. The true magic of a Curves retreat is that it is one hundred percent for you. You do not have to take care of anyone else. You can simply show up, be taken care of by the incredible staff at Soulshine, eat nourishing farm-to-table food, and focus entirely on your own internal health.
The modern direction of Curves is rooted in this exact concept: the power of sisterhood and complete wellness. While our members returned home slightly tired from our packed days, they left deeply refreshed, spiritually lighter, and permanently bonded by new global friendships. We are already hearing chants for a 2027 retreat, and we cannot wait to keep building this incredible momentum.
Ready to transform how you move, connect, and feel?
Even though our incredible Bali Retreat has wrapped up, your personal path to wellness and vitality is just beginning. If you are ready to prioritize your own physical health, experience our empowering strength-training circuit, and become a part of a deeply supportive global sisterhood, we would love to welcome you.
Book Your Discovery Consultation at your local club today to see how Curves can help you step into your own strength!
Ready for the Next Adventure? Join Our Upcoming Tulum Retreat in Mexico!
If you loved reading about the life-changing community, deep wellness, and unforgettable memories from our time in Bali, you do not have to miss out on the magic. We are thrilled to announce that our next journey will take us to the stunning shores of Tulum, Mexico.
Prepare yourself for another incredible opportunity to step away from daily life, focus entirely on your own wellbeing, and bond with an amazing group of women in paradise. Learn more about securing your spot for the Curves Tulum Retreat and start planning your next wellness milestone today!
