Ethereal Flow: My Experience with Elena's 9-Day Pole Retreat in Bali

When I first saw Elena Chernyshova advertising Ethereal Flow through her Immersion platform, I'll be honest, nine days felt like a lot. Most pole camps I've been to are maybe five to seven days max, and they're usually the "try everything" type where you jump from tricks to choreo to flexibility to maybe a heels class. You leave tired and inspired but also kind of scattered, you know?

Immersion was pitched as something completely different: nine full days focused entirely on flow, artistry, and reconnecting with why you started pole in the first place. No pressure to nail tricks. No competing with anyone. Just movement.

I was curious. And a little nervous. But I signed up anyway.

What Elena Was Going For

Elena built this retreat for women who want to go deeper, not just physically, but creatively and emotionally too. The whole thing centers on flow-based pole dancing. That means you're not there to chase new tricks or post Instagram-worthy spins. You're there to understand how you move, why you move, and how to make it feel authentic to you.

And here's the thing that made it special: we trained with Elena the entire time. Same instructor, same group, every single day. It wasn't like other camps where you rotate through different teachers and styles. This felt intentional and connected, like we were all building something together.

Getting to Bali

Before we even arrived, Elena added all nine of us to a group chat. People were already sharing tips about where to stay, what to pack, good restaurants, and it immediately felt less intimidating. By the time we met in person, it didn't feel like meeting strangers.

The camp itself didn't include accommodation, which actually worked out well because everyone could pick a place that fit their budget and vibe. Some people stayed in fancy villas, others found cute little homestays. We all just met up for sessions.

Our first morning started with breakfast at this really nice café, and honestly? The vibe was so chill. No one was trying to prove anything or show off. Just a group of women excited to learn and support each other.

What the Days Actually Looked Like

The schedule switched between heels and barefoot sessions, which I loved because it kept things fresh without being overwhelming. We worked on body isolations, contemporary movement, musicality—basically everything that makes flow actually flow.

One day we'd focus on how to interpret music with our bodies. Another day we'd film ourselves and then watch it back to see what we were actually doing versus what we thought we were doing. That self-analysis part was humbling but so helpful.

Halfway through, we had a spa day at Lumeria, which was perfectly timed because my body definitely needed it. It wasn't just a rest day; it felt like a real reset.

The Choreography Challenge

This was probably my favorite part. Elena had each of us pick a song that meant something to us personally, and then she helped us create our own choreography around it.

I'm not gonna lie, it felt vulnerable. Choosing a song that actually matters to you and then putting movement to it in front of other people? That's not easy. But Elena guided us through the whole process: how to build transitions, refine little details, make our intention clear.

Watching everyone's pieces come together was incredible. You could see each person's personality in their movement. It was beautiful.

Also, lunch was included every day, and those became some of my favorite moments. We'd sit together, decompress, laugh about something silly, talk about what we were learning. Those conversations bonded us as much as the dancing did.

It Doesn't End When You Leave

Here's something I didn't expect: after you get home, you get 2.5 months of continued online coaching with Elena. This includes five follow-up Zoom sessions where she continues working with you, reviewing your progress, giving feedback, helping you keep building on what you learned.

That's rare. Most camps end and then you're on your own to figure out how to keep growing. With Ethereal Flow, you actually have someone checking in and supporting you as you integrate everything back home. It makes a huge difference.

How I Actually Felt

By the end of the nine days, I felt... clearer. That's the best word I can think of. Physically stronger, yes. But also more grounded in my own movement and more confident in my artistic choices.

I left with actual tools I could use, not just new tricks to add to my repertoire, but a better understanding of how I move and what I want to express. Elena created this environment where you didn't have to be the loudest or the flashiest to matter. You just had to be present and honest.

My Honest Take

Look, if you're looking for a camp where you'll learn 50 new tricks and come home with a packed skill set to show off, this probably isn't that. But if you're feeling disconnected from your pole practice, or if you're tired of chasing the next move and want to actually feel something when you dance? This might be exactly what you need.

Most pole camps feel like a fun, chaotic sprint. Ethereal Flow felt like coming up for air. It's technically challenging, but the real work is internal. Elena's genuinely invested in helping you find your authentic voice through movement, and that came through in every single session.

I came home inspired, recharged, and honestly just excited to dance again. And for anyone in the Pole Mom community wondering if it's worth the time and investment? For me, it absolutely was.

Photo Credit by @karinamurniece