About us

Jing Retreats was created from the belief that we all need moments to step away from the busy pace of everyday life.

When life moves at 100 miles an hour, we can lose sight of what it feels like to slow down and really enjoy the good things in life. Our retreats offer an opportunity to press pause - to move, rest, explore, connect and create space for yourself again.

Each retreat we offer is thoughtfully curated to bring together yoga, pilates, wellness, nature and meaningful experiences. From the setting and movement practices to the food, rituals and moments shared together, every detail is carefully considered to create an experience for you that feels nourishing, wholesome and more personal.

Our name comes from the Chinese word 静 jìng (noun), which means calm, quiet and still - embodying the spaces we aim to create. A pause from the everyday, where movement, rest and connection can come together. Our hope is that you return home feeling lighter, more grounded and more connected to yourself - with something from the experience that stays with you long after the retreat ends.

Jing Retreats are led by our founder, Carol Chen, and occasionally may feature some of our favourite guest movement teachers.

Meet your host

A woman with glasses and long hair sitting on the floor, smiling with her eyes closed, against a background of white curtains.

CAROL CHEN

Carol is a yoga and pilates teacher, retreat host and the founder of Jing Retreats. Her teaching encompasses Hatha, Vinyasa and Yin yoga, with an approach grounded in anatomy, individuality and creating space for people to explore movement in a way that feels right for their own body.

Alongside teaching, Carol has spent her career working in a fast-paced corporate environment. After experiencing a period of intense burnout herself, she developed a deeper appreciation for the importance of slowing down, creating balance and making time to reconnect with ourselves.

This is where the inspiration for Jing Retreats began.

Carol is passionate about creating thoughtful, immersive experiences that bring together movement, rest, connection, nature and wellbeing.

Her aim is to create welcoming, inclusive spaces where people can step away from the pace of everyday life, feel comfortable being themselves and leave feeling rebalanced, reconnected and renewed.

  • ★★★★★

    "I could not recommend Jing Retreats more. I’d never booked a solo trip before - let alone been on a retreat! - and really didn’t know what to expect or if it would be something that was for me. And it is now up there as one of the most incredible trips I’ve ever been on."

  • ★★★★★

    "Carol & Jing Retreats put together a truly special experience. It was the perfect step-away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, surrounded by gorgeous mountains and forests, coordinated by one of the friendliest and most considerate instructors you could ask for."

  • ★★★★★

    ”Jing retreats gave me the space to fully recharge and reconnect with myself after constant work burnouts. From feel-good food and breathtaking views to relaxing massages and thoughtfully planned activities, every detail was designed to offer the stress-free escape I needed.“

  • ★★★★★

    "Carol is also a fantastic and considerate instructor. She creates a very warm and welcoming class, and that energy is felt amongst the group - it always feels like a safe environment practising."

  • ★★★★★

    "Carol also has a unique talent for creating a strong sense of community and connection within the group, which truly sets the tone for the entire retreat. The combination of professional guidance, warmth, and attention to detail made this a truly memorable and enriching experience."