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Whether you’re an experienced yogi or brand new to the practice, there’s nothing more fulfilling and life-changing than a Thai yoga retreat. From the beautiful blue beaches to green rolling mountains, retreat spaces across the country of Thailand offer yoga workshops based in ancient practices, wellness classes, detox programs, and meditation for the ultimate rest and relaxation for your body, mind, and soul. Check out our top picks for the five best yoga retreats in Thailand.
1. The Sanctuary, Koh Phangan
What could be more relaxing than a spa and yoga retreat on a Thai beach in front of the jungle? The resort is only accessible via boat, and you can hop aboard at the Haad Rin Beach, just five minutes away. The Sanctuary features daily yoga classes — at 8 am there’s dynamic/Vinyasa yoga, at 10:30, there’s slow flow yoga, said to be ideal for the newbies, and at 4 pm there’s restorative yin yoga. The retreat also features various other forms of rest and relaxation, including pilates, spa treatment, detox retreats and programs, all in front of Thailand’s gorgeous blue waves.
2. Vikasa Yoga Retreat, Koh Samui
The Vikasa Yoga Retreat in Koh Samui is the perfect chance for a little R&R on the beach. The yoga resort gives you everything. From yoga to detox programs, to luxurious hotels on pristine beaches, the experience is life-changing. Vikasa Yoga Retreat is based on the Vikasa yoga method, which emphasizes individual evolution and spiritual development. Vikasa Yoga has its roots in Hatha Yoga, as well as influences from Himalayan Buddhism and Taoism. The Vikasa Yoga Retreat offers two types of yoga teaching training programs. The first is a 200-hour foundation class introducing safe and effective practices, as well as the method, anatomy, and philosophy of yoga. The second is a 300-hour advanced class, best suited to existing teachers and long-term practicing yogis. Both classes offer a certificate on completion of the training. Plus, all training takes place on Koh Samui’s gorgeous white sand beaches.
3. Suan Sati, Chiang Mai
This retreat in the famous and historic city of Chiang Mai is not only one of the top retreats in Thailand, it’s also extremely budget-friendly. The yoga and meditation retreat offers daily meditation and yoga sessions at 6 am, then again at 4 pm. In between yoga and meals, the retreat has free workshops on anything relating to wellness and health. While at Suan Sati, you can stay in one of several unique accommodations offerings, including a refurbished truck, an adobe hut, a shared bungalow, or the bamboo wood dormitory.
4. Museflower Retreat and Spa, Chiang Rai
Museflower Retreat sits in Northern Thailand’s city of Chiang Rai, not to be confused with the famous Chiang Mai. The town is full of ancient temples, art collections, gardens, and tea plantations. The resort itself sits outside the city along a quiet and peaceful lake. Museflower’s health and wellness programs include yoga retreats, farm-to-table cooking workshops, spa treatment, self-care workshops, daily meditation classes, wellness classes, and Thai massages. While at the Museflower Retreat, stay in one of the retreat’s shared cottages that can sleep up to 36 guests along the lake. Each comes with mosquito screens, tea kettles, herbal teas, mosquito repellant, and more. Select rooms come with private terrace space, too.
5. The Yogarden Samui, Koh Samui
A paradise aimed at improving your overall health and well-being — what could be better? The Yogarden offers daily yoga classes and workshops during their retreats. There are also detox programs to cleanse your body and soul, therapy sessions that include Thai massages, deep tissue massages, oil massages, coconut massages, reiki and chakra balancing, acupuncture, and more specialized practices depending on what you may need. Check out a full retreats calendar to find the perfect retreat for you.