Get in touch: hello@totalbalance.com.au
life coach melbourne
  • About
  • Coaching
    • Life Coaching
    • Business coaching
    • Career Coaching
    • Leadership Coaching
    • Mindfulness coaching
  • Workshops
    • Compassionate Conversations
    • The Confidence Course
    • Free Monday Talk & Meditation
    • Build Self-Belief Audio Course
  • Retreat
  • Freebies
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • 0 items
  • About
  • Coaching
    • Life Coaching
    • Business coaching
    • Career Coaching
    • Leadership Coaching
    • Mindfulness coaching
  • Workshops
    • Compassionate Conversations
    • The Confidence Course
    • Free Monday Talk & Meditation
    • Build Self-Belief Audio Course
  • Retreat
  • Freebies
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • 0 items

Byron Bay Meditation & Yoga Retreat

Byron Bay Meditation & Yoga Retreat

Friday 14 to Wednesday 19 November 2025 (2 spots remaining)

Our Byron Bay meditation and yoga retreat is for women looking for the chance to unwind, enjoy the peace of nature, feel completely nurtured and begin to discover why living mindfully is essential to your wellbeing.

We stay at Sangsurya, a beautiful tropical ten-acre bush retreat just a few minutes drive from Tallow Beach in Byron Bay. The property features an open, airy meditation hall, a freshwater swimming pool and dining room that includes outdoor seating with easterly views across Arakwal land and the ocean.

A social enterprise built on the foundation of love, pure intention and service to humanity by the late Mona and Tony Kruger, this secluded residential retreat has been a place of refuge and healing to thousands of students and practitioners for over 30 years.

byron bay yoga meditation retreat kate & meg james

“Absolutely magical! I feel like all of my senses have been nourished and reawakened.”
Rebecca

Byron Bay Meditation & Yoga Retreat inclusions:

  • Five nights accommodation in a room style of your choice
  • Delicious and nourishing organic vegetarian meals
  • Early morning meditation
  • Morning yoga, qigong and walking
  • Daily quiet time
  • Afternoon session (varies but includes values workshop, music and conversation)
  • Guided walks to the beach and lighthouse
  • Evening relaxation meditation
  • Optional massage treatments (not included in retreat pricing)
Byron-Bay-Mindfulness-Retreat-Deck-Qigong
Sangsurya-Med-Single-Room-2

Who is this retreat for?

Our Byron Bay meditation and yoga retreats are attended by women of all ages but mostly, we attract those who are looking for space, stillness and reflection. Many of our participants describe themselves as introverted so the energy of our group is always kind and supportive.

Many of our guests say they don’t make a habit of joining group programs as they can sometimes be a little overwhelming. You’ll love this retreat if you’re looking for a more gentle, peaceful experience.

Please note that we don’t offer individual coaching or counselling on retreat and all group sessions are optional. You’ll also have plenty of time to yourself if you’re in need of some space and silence.

Retreat facilitators

Kate-James-2020 crop

Kate James

Kate James is the author of Quietly Confident and she’s a coach and mindfulness teacher. For over 22 years, she has worked to support introverted women build self-belief. She is described as an authentic, warm and down-to-earth workshop leader.

Catherine Morey-Nase - Clinical Psychologist

Catherine Morey-Nase

Catherine is a Clinical Psychologist and qigong and mindfulness teacher. She believes that people are their own best healers and she loves nothing more than walking alongside and supporting people who are curious and courageous.

  • byron bay yoga meditation retreat kate & meg james
  • Byron Bay Retreat Deck
  • Byron Bay Mindfulness Retreat Qigong
  • ByronBay-food
  • Byron Bay Mindfulness Retreat Studio
  • Byron Bay Mindfulness & Yoga Retreat Pool

What previous retreat participants say

five-stars-image

“I discovered Kate’s meditations through Insight Timer six months before and thought bringing these meditations to life could only be a bonus, on top of nourishing meals and rest. I left five days later feeling like I was just beginning to get to know myself again. Between Kate’s soothing meditations and profound insights, and Catherine’s gentle guidance in qigong and mindful walking, I began to feel and remember parts of me I hadn’t known for 20 years. Kate and Catherine’s gifts complement each other so beautifully, that when combined with a group of women and the serene setting at Sangsurya, provide the opportunity for deep connection and healing.”

Jen

five-stars-image

“I came to the retreat simply wanting some time out and to be better at learning to be still. I leave with soooo much more. The past five days have exceeded my expectations in ways I thought was not possible. My heart is lighter and full of joy and for the first time in a while I not only feel excited about my future, but I want to jump in feet first. Thanks for reminding me just how much beauty and gratitude there is to be found in the everyday and how amazingly supportive a bunch of awesome women can be. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.”

Claire

five-stars-image

“This retreat gave me the space to be free from judgement and to gain clarity of mind. I feel so empowered to take this authentic self back to my everyday life. It was just what my soul needed. Pushing my boundaries, stepping outside my comfort zone and confronting my internal judge. I’m trying not to promise myself too much about how I will improve my life, but I’m motivated and aware of the small changes I might make to be more authentic in my every day.”

Tess

Byron Bay Meditation & Yoga Retreat Accommodation

Accommodation at Sangsurya is in Thai style hand-built timber-floored houses and cabins. Bedrooms are uniquely positioned amidst sub-tropical gardens and give a lovely sense of privacy and tranquillity. Each room has been individually designed and furnished to have its own charming ambience. All are heated, air-conditioned and have ceiling fans.

It’s difficult to describe the true essence of this property – it’s something you need to experience for yourself but previous participants have described it as ‘magic’ and ‘organic’ and many continue to return each year.

All inclusive pricing:

Small-single-with-ensuite

Superior single, ensuite
(fully booked)

$3,295

Small-single-with-ensuite

Superior single, shared bath
(fully booked)

$3,195

Byron Bay Yoga Meditation Retreat Small Single Room

Small single, ensuite
(fully booked)

$2,995

Shared room, ensuite
(Two spots remaining)

$2,895

Friday 14 November to Wednesday 19 November 2025

Secure your place with a deposit of $500. Balance due August 2025.

BOOK NOW

More kind words

Not only was the retreat setting so breathtaking, relaxing and peaceful but Kate and Catherine have the most nurturing, kind and welcoming nature. Powerful and thought-provoking, the week was the perfect balance of rest, self-reflection and personal growth and development. Thank you.

Nicky

The most nurturing, healing and energising experience I think I’ve ever had! It was truly life changing. I feel calmer, happier, healthier, and more connected than I have in years. It has given me the confidence and awareness to start listening to and following my heart.

Ella

I came to the retreat feeling pretty good but as the days progressed, I realised that I had not been in touch with the ‘real me’ for years!! I found myself again. I feel inspired and filled with love and admiration for all of the beautiful women I touched souls with.

Sandy

It was a glorious time away for me to reset and have time to myself to reconnect and rejuvenate. I met some amazing women who made the journey even more beautiful. The setting was everything you need and more. I highly recommend it.

Jo

Words cannot do justice. The most amazing meditation retreat I have ever been to. I feel like it will change my life. Five days of perfect bliss, growth, nurturing, connections, nature, music and food. Heaven!! Please book me up for the next 50 years!

Kelly

I feel nurtured, rejuvenated and transformed. I wouldn’t change a thing. I have not felt so light, so courageous, so invigorated for years. I can’t wait to attend again.

Cathy

This was perfect, pure bliss on every level. The content, the atmosphere, the people, the connection, food and acceptance and safety to be one’s true self. These days are the most precious gift you can give yourself.

Karen

The most incredible five days of my life – I feel so light and still, a bit like I could conquer anything! I just hope I can maintain this back in the hustle of Melbourne life. Thank you so much.

Andrea

Kate is not just gifted as a teacher, coach and role model for mindful living, but she is also gifted in her ability to attract other gifted people to co-create a retreat that enlivens your senses and reawakens your soul.

Lena

Guest requirements

  • Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and travel insurance.
  • Participants should be free of medical or psychological contraindications.
  • Our retreat is an alcohol, smoke and fragrance-free experience to ensure the comfort of all participants.
  • Some experience in yoga and meditation is encouraged but beginners are also welcome. Please take classes at your own pace and assume responsibility for your own wellbeing.
Byron Bay Mindfulness Retreat guest requirements

Byron Bay Meditation & Yoga Retreat FAQs

Arrival & departure times

Guests are welcome to arrive at Sangsurya any time from 2pm on Friday, with our first session commencing at 4pm. Departure time is 10.30am on the final day.

How many women will be at the retreat?

We have a maximum group size of 18 women.

Can I book a 1:1 session with Kate or Catherine during the retreat?

Unfortunately, we don’t offer individual coaching or counselling on the retreat. Catherine is required to keep her clinical work separate from her retreat work which means that she is unable to take retreat participants on as clients. If you are a current client of Catherine’s, please reach out to her before making a booking.

Can you cater to dietary requirements?

All meals are vegetarian, and chef can cater for gluten free, dairy free, vegan and nut allergies.

I’m a beginner at yoga. Can I join the classes?

Yes, absolutely. Our yoga teacher teaches a gentle class and caters to all levels of experience.

Is there wifi available?

No unfortunately, but there is phone signal if you need to be online. We do, however, encourage you to spend most of your retreat time on a ‘digital detox’.

How do I get there?

Guests are responsible for booking their own flights and transfers. The closest airports are Ballina and Coolangatta (Gold Coast). You’ll find a range of airport transfer providers available online including Byron Bay Express.

What is your cancellation policy?

In the event of cancellation the following refund fees, minus the deposit, apply.

  • The deposit is non-refundable but may be transferred to another retreat or to a friend if 90 days notice is given.
  • Cancellation 90 days or less before due arrival date, 0% refund.
  • Cancellation more than 90 days before due arrival date, 50% refund if your place is able to be filled.

You’ll find  all retreat terms and conditions here retreat-terms-conditions

Terms & conditions

Airfares, transfers and travel insurance not included in pricing. Please read
our cancellation policy and retreat terms and conditions here.

BOOK NOW

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

Uncertainty has been a consistent theme in my life at the moment. With clients, friends, family and even for me at a personal level.I feel hugely grateful for mindfulness practices during times like these and I’ve also found the following five steps to be helpful.1. Find pockets of certainty, wherever you canTidy the house, sort your finances, clean out your wardrobe, organise your paperwork, plan your meals for a week. Making the small things around you feel ordered and beautiful will help you to feel a little more at peace.2. Appreciate the things that make your life beautifulOne of the things I became aware of while we were on holiday in Tassie was how much natural beauty was around us every day. Try engaging your sense of gratitude with every meal you eat, every friendly encounter, every interaction with nature and every opportunity you have to experience or engage in creativity.3. Make time for practices that are genuinely soothingIf meditation isn’t your thing (and it isn’t for many people), try a different form of mindful relaxation. On a recent Insight Timer Live we explored this topic together and came up with dancing, singing, reading, walking, yoga, pilates, gardening, playing, sketching, painting, skiing, paddle boarding, surfing. The most important thing is that you make time for whatever it is that brings you some calm. 4. Acknowledge your feelings and offer yourself compassionMake room for all of the emotions – the fear, anxiety, worry, sadness, anger, frustration and powerlessness. Notice where you feel those emotions in your body and offer yourself genuine compassion.5. Make peace with uncertainty, as best you canWe won’t feel uncertainty every day but it’s likely that we’ll experience it often in our lives and we’ll probably always find it difficult. Remind yourself that nothing will stay the same forever and you’re strong enough to handle this. ✨
“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” Nelson Mandela ✨
“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” John Muir ✨
A follow on from last week’s post about aspiring to simplicity. I’m on holiday in Tasmania where I was lucky enough to live for ten years. Yesterday, as we drove through the countryside, I was struck by a lovely memory. At around the age of 12, I spotted many abandoned little cottages, very much like this one. I knew at the time that the simple beauty was all that I would ever want and need in my lifetime. A humble home surrounded by plenty of nature. I had a picture of myself planting a garden, reading by the fire, writing at a little wooden desk and baking in an old fashioned kitchen. Maybe one day having my own children and sharing my love of nature with them. Almost 50 years later, it’s still all of these things that fill me with joy and give my life meaning. I think most of us knew ourselves well at that age yet often, we lost trust in what we believed in and started shaping ourselves to please other people. Can you remember what it was you dreamed of? ✨
An invitation to go a little more gently this week. To let go of some of your striving. To notice the things that you already have. And to make sure that you really do treasure them. ✨💛
Since writing last week's post, I've had my value of 'inner harmony' front of mind, because it's something I don't always find easy.I've been a worrier all my life, so even after years of meditation practice, I sometimes find it hard to create a quiet mind – unless I'm immersed in nature. When Chris encouraged me to try paddle boarding a few years ago, I had no idea if I'd be able to do it. I'm not naturally sporty so things like this don't come easily. But something magical happened when I first stood on that board and looked into the beautiful clear water.I felt (and still feel) transported to a place that removes me from all of my worries. I become immersed in the wonder beneath me. The forests of seaweed, the schools of fish, the way the sunlight creates patterns on the seabed and once, we paddled with dolphins. All of it is truly magical (and quite miraculous that I can keep my balance). I didn't mention last week that one of my other values is courage, which is the one I embraced when I first went out onto the water.The irony is that some of the moments that bring the most peace are made possible when I do something that scares me. ✨
One of the things I do with almost every new client I work with is a values exercise. It's such a powerful tool to help you identify what really matters in your life. Once you've chosen your personal values, you begin to understand why certain choices, places or relationships, feel so right. And why others really don’t. Your values will help you make meaningful choices that shape how you live every day. And as soon as you start living in alignment with your values, your life immediately becomes more meaningful.Do you know your top three values? I’d love you to share them if you do. Mine are inner harmony, kindness and connection. As well as connection with others and myself, this includes a deep sense of connection with nature which is why we live where we do. 🌿 If you’re interested to discover your values, I’ve included a link in my bio to an easy exercise that will help you gain clarity on yours. It really can be life-changing. ✨
This morning on @insighttimer Live, I spoke about the practice of gratitude and how research has found it to be an antidote to many physical and psychological challenges.It can improve sleep, reduce fatigue, and lower levels of cellular inflammation. One study found that those who practice on a regular basis experience less depression and are more resilient following traumatic events.Another called it “the mother of all virtues”, in that it encourages other virtues such as patience, humility, and wisdom.In my own life, it has been a daily practice for a few decades now. At the end of each day, an app on my phone called Grateful sounds a reminder and allows me to add a few words and photos.The best thing is that I now have a collection of my favourite memories that I can scroll through at any time. I took this pic just over a week ago at our local beach. At the end of an afternoon of swimming and paddling with Meg and me, Oscar said, “Grandma, that was the best day ever.” I love that he’s already grateful for the simple pleasures. ☀️
Five ways to be more true to yourself this year.I spent so much of my time in my twenties and thirties doing things to please other people instead of trusting myself and listening to my heart. It wasn't until I found the courage to accept that I might be criticised no matter what I chose that I found the courage to be true to myself. And I can honestly tell you, it's life changing. I hope the following quick tips help. 1. Let go of the idea that you need to do what’s expected of you. In Bronnie Ware's book, The Top Five Regrets of the Dying, number one on the list is, "I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me."2. Believe that you’re strong enough to handle some criticism. It might still be hurtful but after a short amount of time, that hurt will pass. The more you're being real, the less critical you'll be of yourself, and that's energising.3. Trust that you already know what fulfills you. Often when I meet a new client they tell me they don't know what they want. Once we get talking, it turns out that they do, but like all of us, it can be confronting to be really honest with themselves. 4. Give up one thing that hasn’t been serving you. This can be literally anything. Whatever it is that you choose, do it from a place of self-love not from a place of self-criticism.5. Take one courageous step towards the life of your dreams. It doesn't need to be huge but when you want something to change, there has to be some action taken. Make the phone call, update your profile, send (or accept) an invitation, join a class...it doesn't matter what you choose, just do something. ✨
© Kate James 2025

Menu

  • About Kate James
  • Kate’s ideal client
  • Life coaching
  • Career coaching
  • Business coaching
  • Leadership coaching
  • Workshops & courses

 

  • Kind words
  • Freebies
  • Giving back
  • FAQ
  • Terms & conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Get in touch

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands we live and work on, the Boonwurrung people of the Kulin Nation and pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.

FOLLOW US

Cleantalk Pixel