A place to come
home to yourself
BLOOM WITH JESS · RETREATS
For women · Banks Peninsula, New Zealand
A NOTE FROM JESS
For the woman who has been doing everything for everyone, and has forgotten what it feels like to simply be.
I grew up in Ireland, where the seasons weren't something you kept up with, they shaped the rhythm of your days. We slowed down in winter, gathered around tables, walked in the rain and didn't think much of it.
New Zealand is home now, and those rhythms have stayed with me. Ayurveda gave language to something I had always sensed: that wellbeing doesn't come from pushing harder. It comes from living in rhythm with the seasons, with your body, with the quiet signals you've been too busy to hear.
These retreats are small, unhurried gatherings for women who are ready to exhale. There is nothing to achieve here and no version of yourself you need to become before you arrive.
Jess x
WHAT TO EXPECT
A different kind of day
Each retreat is built around a gentle rhythm not a timetable. The day begins slowly, with morning light and herbal tea, and moves through yoga and meditation, long shared meals and quiet free time, before closing with a sound bath and the warmth of an evening fire.
The food is one of the quiet centrepieces of every retreat. Our Ayurvedic chef Leeya prepares everything from scratch using seasonal, plant-based ingredients that nourish your nervous system and gather us around the table in a way that feels less like dining and more like a ritual.
Every retreat includes a period of shared silence, one day for the weekends, three for the Ritual of Silence.
Women often arrive apprehensive. Most leave wishing they could bring it home.
INCLUDED IN EVERY RETREAT
Daily yoga
Meditation
Sound healing
Guided silence
Seasonal meals
Accommodation
Mala bead making
Ayurvedic assessment
Zoom with Jess
ROOTED IN AYURVEDA
Ancient wisdom
for modern women.
Every Bloom retreat is gently guided by the wisdom of Ayurveda, the world's oldest holistic health system. Rather than following trends, we work with the seasons, daily rhythms and the unique needs of each woman.
From nourishing seasonal meals prepared by Ayurvedic chef Leeya, to personalised Ayurvedic assessments with Jess, Ayurveda quietly shapes each retreat without ever feeling complicated or prescriptive.
It becomes a gentle thread woven through your experience, helping you feel more rested, balanced and connected to yourself.
Seasonal living
Personalised assessment
Ayurvedic meals
Women's wellbeing
YOUR HOSTS
Held with care.
Bloom Retreats are guided by Jess and enriched by the nourishing work of Ayurvedic chef Leeya.
Jess is currently completing her Ayurvedic practitioner training and weaves seasonal living, yoga and meditation throughout each retreat.
Leeya prepares every meal from scratch using Ayurvedic principles and seasonal ingredients, creating food that supports rest, digestion and nervous system wellbeing.
Together, these elements create a retreat experience that feels deeply restorative without ever feeling complicated.
2026 - 2027 RETREAT COLLECTION
Three seasons. One quiet invitation
Spring Weekend Retreat | 27-29 November 2026
Autumn Weekend Retreat | 16-18 April 2027
Winter 5 Day Retreat | 16 - 20 June 2027
THE PLACE
Ridgecliff,
Banks Peninsula
Nestled in the hills above the sea, Ridgecliff is a heritage property where mornings begin with birdsong and woodsmoke and the farmland rolls quietly towards the water. It is the kind of place that reminds your nervous system before you've even unpacked that it is safe to slow down.
Rooms are allocated thoughtfully by enquiry, to ensure every woman is matched with the space that suits her best.
IS THIS RETREAT FOR ME?
There is room
for every woman.
You don't need yoga experience, knowledge of Ayurveda, or to be at any particular stage of life. If something in you is longing for a pause, you are already most of the way here.
MANY WOMEN COME ALONE
And leave with friendships they didn't expect. There is something quietly powerful about being seen by other women in a space like this.
YOGA BEGINNERS ARE VERY WELCOME
All movement practices are gentle and accessible. Rest is always a perfectly valid choice.
MOST HAVE NEVER BEEN ON RETREAT
Every practice here is invitational. There is nothing to prove. Showing up exactly as you are is genuinely enough.
NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE NEEDED
Come as you are, exhausted, curious, apprehensive or simply ready. We will take care of the rest.
A few things
women often ask
Do I need yoga experience?
Not at all. Every practice on retreat is gentle and completely accessible, whatever your background. Rest is always a valid option and you will never be asked to do anything that doesn't feel right in your body.
Do women usually come on their own?
Most do, yes. Many women arrive not knowing anyone and leave with friendships that last well beyond the retreat. The small group size makes connection feel easy and natural.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes, payment plans are available on request. Get in touch and Jess will put something together that works for you.
What is included?
All accommodation, meals, snacks and drinks, daily yoga and meditation, sound healing, guided silence, seasonal workshops, mala bead making and a personalised Ayurvedic assessment are included. A private Zoom call with Jess before your arrival is also part of every booking.
How much silence is there?
Weekend retreats include one full day of shared silence. The Ritual of Silence includes three days. Silence here is gentle and supported women are often surprised by how natural it feels.
How do I reserve my place?
Simply get in touch via the button below and Jess will be in touch personally within 48 hours to talk through the retreat, your room options and next steps.