YOUR ZEN PLACE: THE BEST YOGA RETREATS IN NORTHERN THAILAND
Find your yoga sanctuary by checking out the best yoga places in Northern Thailand. Whether you are a beginner looking into giving yoga a go or a yoga junkie looking for a good fix, here is a list of places you can go to get that ohm going.
YOGA KUUKAN STUDIO
Yoga Kuukan, meaning yoga space in Japanese, is situated on the second floor of an old, traditional wooden house within the walled city of Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand. Here, yoga is taught by experienced teachers whose knowledge adds a contemporary depth to the ancient practice by adding a bit of Qi Gong and Tai Chi into the mix. They also offer focused workshops that can serve as a means of deepening your yoga practice.
- ADDRESS: A72 Moon Muang Road, Soi 9 Chiang Mai
- WEBSITE: YOGA KUUKAN STUDIO
THE YOGA TREE STUDIO
THE YOGA TREE STUDIO
65/1 Arak Road, Phra Sing, Chiang Mai
Set in a large studio with a garden surrounding it, Yoga Tree offers a spacious area for one’s practice. Aside from yoga classes and workshops, the yoga studio also offers meditative dance, meditation, and laughter yoga, giving you other means of finding body and spiritual awareness.
Aside from regular classes, focused workshops, DANCEmandala Facilitator Training, and Yoga Teacher Training courses are also offered in this yoga studio.
ADDRESS: 65/1 Arak Road, Phra Sing, Chiang Mai
- WEBSITE: theyogatree.org
WILD ROSE YOGA STUDIO
15/2 Soi 4/1, Tambon Phra Sing, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai
The Wild Rose Yoga studio is set in a small hut in the middle of a garden. Although it is a small studio that can be quite cramped, the fairy lights, incense, and the wooden panels make it a magical place to practice, especially in the evening. The yoga studio offers Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin Yoga, and Karma Yoga. It also organizes outreach yoga sessions and out of town yoga excursions on top of the teacher trainings and workshops it offers.
XHALE YOGA RETREAT CENTER
Just outside the town of Pai, in a quiet area that allows you to slow down and reconnect with nature and yourself, Xhale Yoga is a relaxed, open space designed for all levels that offers 5-night retreats offers a rejuvenating package of hatha and vinyasa yoga sessions, pranayama, mindfulness meditation and vegetarian made from fresh, locally grown ingredients.
- LOCATION: Iln Pai Resort, Wiang Nua (just outside of Pai town)
- WEBSITE: XHALE YOGA RETREAT CENTER PAI
OMSARA YOGA STUDIO
Set in the beautiful landscapes of Northern Thailand is the Omsara Yoga Homestay and Studio is a wonderful place to go if you need a retreat from the real world. The owner is an experienced yoga teacher who is trained in Baptiste Power Vinyasa, Bikram Yoga, Hot Yoga, and Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. She offers retreat packages that include vegan meals and green shakes, ensuring that you have a healthy, detoxifying stay in her yoga resort.
- LOCATION: Ban Du, Mueang Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai
- WEBSITE: OMSARA YOGA STUDIO
SUAN SATI YOGA RETREAT CENTER
Suan Sati Yoga Retreat Center is located in a permaculture farm in a traditional village in Northern Thailand. Ecologically sound, the accommodations are made from natural materials like bamboo and clay. They have even recycled an old truck by turning into a Truckalow. Being a self-sustaining community, the ingredients for their vegan dishes are harvested from their garden.
Aside from the contemplative yoga practice filled with detailed cues that will give you an intimate knowledge of each pose, the retreat schedule also includes meditation and workshops on creative writing, dance, and gardening.
- ADDRESS: 243 Moo 7 Ban Si Bunreuang Pa Phai San Sai Chiang Mai
- WEBSITE: SUAN SATI YOGA
HOW TO START YOUR PRACTICE IN NORTHERN THAILAND
Most of the yoga studios in Northern Thailand are only open 15 to 20 minutes before the class starts, so it is best to send your questions online. Although there is no need to book a regular class in advance, you should aim to get there 15 to 20 minutes early especially if you are new to yoga. Also, it assures you of getting a good spot and literally prevents you from stepping on toes and annoying other practitioners. Remember that some of the yoga studios have small spaces.
Most of the yoga studios provide you with yoga mats and other props, however, aside from you water bottle, you might need to be armed with a mosquito spray, especially if it is surrounded by a garden, or you could be eaten alive during your practice.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE
As schedules tend to change and establishments may stop providing certain classes and courses, please share your experience with us. Also, if you have found a new yoga spot in Thailand, do let us know about it by commenting below.
