Yoga retreats on Koh Phangan, Thailand

Asian cultures prize the quiet mind, controlled emotions, and the peaceful way of what Buddha called “the middle path.” But the path many travelers are taking on Koh Phangan, Thailand, is yoga, which can produce similar results of inner transformation.

The island of Koh Phangan was uninhabited until about 600 years ago when passing monks realized its tranquility and spiritual importance and settled there. It currently hosts five yoga and healing centers.

Agama Yoga

Agama Yoga is by far the biggest and most well-attended yoga school on Koh Phangan, with three big halls and hundreds of students.

They teach the ancient kundalini- and tantric-based form of hatha yoga, which emphasizes the awareness of the chakras during the asanas (poses), as well as the full teachings of the eight limbs of yoga, including pranayama breathing and meditation.

This deeply spiritual and subtle style of yoga is said to be the original form of yogic science, which unfortunately is a lost art compared to today’s more gymnastic popular versions.

It’s once again becoming well known to the world, popular to many “heart-core” yogis, some claiming it to be an accelerated path to reach samadhi (aka, enlightenment) — the highest goal of yoga.

For their one-month intensives (8 hrs/day, 6 days/wk), they offer lectures and yoga in the morning and evening — a full day of tuning into this ancient art of slowing down.

This school is really like a yoga college that offers an impressive program of up to 24 months of yoga studies.

Besides yoga, they host many workshops on other esoteric topics, such as Kashmir Shaivism, Taoism, Tibetan Buddhism, Sufism, Gnostic Christianity, complete femininity, tantric sexuality, and a monthly 10-day silent meditation retreat.

Agama Yoga has schools worldwide, but the main one is on Koh Phangan. For more information, check out AgamaYoga.com.

The Sanctuary

The Sanctuary, another popular yoga center on the island, is located in Haad Thian on the remote eastern side. To get here, take a boat taxi or 4WD vehicle over the very rugged roads.

In addition to yoga courses, The Sanctuary offers an array of workshops on massage and healing training, a wonderful restaurant serving vegetarian and seafood dishes, and full spa treatments — including fasting and colonic irrigation.

Blooming Lotus Yoga

Blooming Lotus Yoga, located in quiet Haad Yuan, is one of the newest yoga centers on the island. Just minutes behind the popular Bamboo Hut restaurant, Blooming Lotus is a small cozy studio.

The building is distinctly Thai traditional style with dark teak wood and open-air netting for the “walls” — hence it’s consistently cool and airy, with a nice view of the lush jungle all around.

This center offers hatha yoga, yoga nidra (art of relaxation & psychic sleep), and instructor training. Check out www.bloominglotus.ca.

Monte Vista Retreat Center

Monte Vista Retreat Center runs cleansing, detox, and fasting programs with colonic treatments. Stress reduction and self-healing programs are available, along with reiki, energy, and chakra work, plus massage, counseling, life-coaching, and daily yoga.

I taught yoga here after my course and can confirm this place is a “gem” — the quiet hilltop setting with amazing ocean views makes it really special.

The Yoga Retreat

The Yoga Retreat is located on the northwest side of Koh Phangan, up in the mountains about 5 minutes from Haad Salad beach.

It’s a family business run by highly qualified instructors with courses available at every level — from the Basic Elements, chakra healing, Pilates, or Alexander technique — all taught in peaceful jungle surrounds.

There’s also a restaurant with a wide range of healthy drinks, veggie foods, and three bungalows. They offer 5-14 day retreats, as well as an herbal steam room and plunge pool.

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Going deeper into the inner-self

You’re lucky if you get to spend many months here on this tropical island ‘tuning-in’ and stepping out of the mainstream.

Maybe this type of inner-work should be mandatory for all citizens of the Earth, to really produce a global village of peaceful people.

The beautiful thing about going deeper into the inner-self with arts such as yoga and meditation is that we realize the immensity of our true nature.

What we have all been seeking is truly inside, like buried treasure.

It just takes the persistence of a daily practice to create that stillness of mind where peace and equanimity remain. It helps to have a paradise like Koh Phangan for the journey!

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