Yoga on Koh Samui
Yoga has become an integral part of modern approaches to health and wellness worldwide. Yoga on Samui is provided by a handful of experienced foreign freelance yoga instructors conduct courses, classes and guided sessions at various resorts and spas. There are also a number specialist centres on Samui offering yoga retreats and fasting programmes.
Yoga on Samui can be found at various places including, Healthy and Fun Yoga Café which offers a choice of disciplines to leave you feeling physically rejuvenated and spiritually lifted. Hatha Vinyasa yoga combines physical postures (asanas) with breathing exercises and meditation to harmonise the mind, body, breath connection. Yin yoga is a more passive and restorative style of yoga that on a physical level works on ligaments, tendons and connective tissue. Beginners Restorative Ashtanga is designed for Ashtanga practitioners, this class complements the more dynamic Ashtanga style and is a deeply relaxing class for anyone. The centre also offers private yoga sessions that are suitable for students new to yoga, or those with an existing yoga practice.
Yoga Thailand offers retreats at their centre near Bang Po on the north coast of Samui . Yoga is the main focus and they teach those sincere and interested in the philosophy as well as the exercise. The centre is based around the understanding that yoga and its practice is about how people live, and the teaching takes place in an appropriate environment for students to practice, grow and relax into this ancient discipline. Yoga Thailand provides accommodation, food and the environment for students to practice and learn yoga in Samui. The centre is smoke and alcohol free, and located next to the sea in a coconut garden with a specially designed ‘Ashtanga Yoga Shala’ where daily classes are held.
Health Oasis Spa and Resort is officially licensed by the Thai Health Department to treat illnesses, and the resort employs professional consultants and alternative health practitioners from all over the world. Their fasting and detox programmes are particularly popular, and can last from one to eight days. The techniques employed to cleanse the system during a fast include colonic irrigation, yoga and herbal treatments, and the benefits are said not only to be physical but can also create emotional stability and improve mental clarity.
Other Samui yoga locations offer less formal yoga instruction, often provided by visiting instructors on an hourly basis. These include Tamarind Springs Spa, the Spa Samui resorts and the five star Sila Evason Hideaway. On Samui’s sister island, Koh Pha-ngan, The Sanctuary is a popular and long-standing retreat style bungalow resort with a dedicated yoga hall and daily classes.
