We are pleased to welcome you to the serene and picturesque island of Koh Lanta, in Southern Thailand, to experience 8 days of Ashtanga + Restorative Yoga, island hopping in the Andaman Sea, jungle exploration, Thai food, and tropical bliss- all culminating auspiciously upon the full moon. This retreats is suitable for all levels of practitioners. Total beginners, as well as experienced yoga practitioners, are equally encouraged!
Ashtanga + Restorative Yoga
With the unique and potent combination of Ashtanga Yoga and Restorative Yoga, you will leave this retreat feeling more rejuvenated in your body and relaxed in your practice than ever before.
Ashtanga Yoga is a dynamic style of yoga designed to increase heat in the body by combining breath and movement in a particular sequence of postures. The purpose of a restorative yoga practice is to manage stress, balance the nervous system and alleviate pain from chronic muscle tension. Each day we will explore the modalities of these 2 practices in depth, so that you will experience the combined healing potential of both during our week together.
About Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is the ideal place to kick back in a hammock and practice simply being in the moment. Still free of big hotels and neon lights, it’s a barefoot beauty with a hint of a hippie. You won't find any pushy touts or loud jet skies here. Koh Lanta Yai, known as the sexy beach babe of southern Thailand, is 30 kilometers from tip to tip, with one long, stunning, white sandy beach after the next.
The west coast of the island is renowned for breathtaking sunsets, a place where you can still find yourself alone on an untouched beach, sunbathing all your cares away. Local culture and charm fill the east coast with the local sea gypsy village set against a dynamic backdrop of rocky karats which have made the Krabi Province famous for its picture-perfect postcards.
A jungly mountainous spine cuts the island down the center leaving much-unspoiled land to remain home to natural flora and fauna proving that Koh Lanta is truly one of the most idealistic tropical islands in all of South East Asia.
The most easily accessible beach on Koh Lanta is a 3 kilometers wide, stretch of white, sandy beach, almost completely rock-free making it the perfect beach for a focus on fitness or family. The safe and shallow waters are ideal for long open water swims and yoga practice. With easy access to the most variety of restaurants both Thai and foreign, Klong Dao is a 2 kilometers walk away to Baan Saladan where you'll find stilted seafood restaurants, several banks, veggie markets, a host of souvenir shops, and a night market walking street. The several beach bars of Klong Dao are known for their chilled-out sundowners vibe and still remains free from the loud full moon party scene.
What you will receive in this retreat:
2 daily Yoga classes (1 morning Ashtanga + 1 Afternoon Restorative Yoga class) and lectures each day
2 meals a day of delicious, vegetarian, or vegan Thai cuisine
A download of Joey’s HD-quality Primary Series instructional video for self-practice
Download links for lifetime access to HD quality yoga philosophy lectures
16 Continuing Education credit hours with Yoga Alliance (Yoga teachers)
8 nights accommodation in the ultra modern Oasis Yoga Resort Bungalows
Full PDF guide of all information covered for lifelong continued study
Several guided nature and cultural excursions into the surrounding area, including Mu Ko National Park, Mangrove swamps, and Island hopping excursions in the azure blue Andaman sea.
A new crew of friends from around the world
Memories to last a lifetime!
Oasis Yoga Resort
The retreat will be hosted by Oasis Yoga, a beautiful open-air shala on Klong Dao Beach overlooking the Andaman Sea. This is one of the most beautiful and chilled-out Yoga shalas in the world!
The Shala!
Oasis Yoga Bungalows, where we’ll be staying
Practicing in the sea breeze, you might be paid a visit by monkeys or monitor lizards dropping by from the surrounding jungle to say hello.
Joey, your host and instructor, has personally practiced Yoga at Oasis for extended periods many times over the years, and he keeps coming back for more! The island vibration and tropical heat are powerful elements in exploring more deeply into your Asana practice.
The Yoga curriculum of this retreat will focus on the 8 limbs of Ashtanga Yoga as taught by Sri BNS Iyengar of Mysore, India. Daily morning practice sessions will include Therapeutic/Somatic movement, Kriya (preparation), Asana (postural practice), and Pranayama (Yogic breathing techniques).
Each afternoon we will have a restorative Yoga session with Jacquelin Molina Guillen.
In the evenings, you will stream philosophy lectures from the Mysore Yoga Traditions scholarly archives. This is a deep Yoga philosophy from the elders of Mysore that you won’t find anywhere outside of our archives, other than traveling to India.
Retreat Schedule
7am to 10am - Therapeutic Movements, morning Asana & Pranayama Practice
Starting from wherever your practice is at currently we will assist you in taking the next steps to deepen, understand and evolve your yoga practice. We begin with postural analysis and individualized somatic moverment/therapeutic exercises, and self massage to release tension as well as activate and strengthen the weaker muscles groups in our bodies.
Then we will begin asana practice in the traditional Ashtanga method of our teacher, Sri BNS Iyengar of Mysore. We will explore Primary Series, Intermediate and Advanced series, as well as Mysore style practice during the morning practice sessions.
12-1pm - Lunch
Fresh, local, seasonal Thai cuisine served onsite! Every day is a brand new exquisite culinary experience.
1pm-5pm - Free time to explore the island, or relax on the beach
Klong Dao Beach is a short stroll from our retreat center. There you’ll find restaurants, beach shops, and lounge chairs for spending the afternoons sunbathing, reading, & swimming in the calm, crystal blue Andaman Sea. Your daily dose of deep relaxation!
4-5 pm - Afternoon Restorative Yoga Session with Jacquelin
The purpose of a restorative yoga practice is to manage stress, balance the nervous system and alleviate pain from chronic muscle tension. This is achieved through the use of props, which are customized to support each individual body make their way to a state of rest through complete muscle relaxation and stillness. A typical hour long restorative yoga practice includes 5-6 gentle adaptations of traditional yoga postures and may include joint mobility exercises, breath work and meditation.
5-6pm - Dinner
Fresh, local, seasonal Thai cuisine served onsite. Every day is an exquisite culinary experience. You won’t believe the food!
6-7pm - Philosophy Lectures from Senior Scholars
In the evenings we will stream Yoga Philosophy lectures from the Mysore Yoga Traditions scholarly archive. This is deep philosophy from the scholars of Mysore with whom we have been cultivating a relationship over the years during our annual journeys to India. This content is exclusive to our group and can’t be found anywhere outside our archive.
Meals
Included in the cost of the retreat will be two meals a day of delicious Thai cuisine - A brunch buffet and lunch or dinner at the retreat, provided onsite by Oasis Kitchen.
Our menu is designed around local produce and ingredients with an emphasis on health and sustainability.
Koh Lanta is home to some of the best Thai food in Southern Thailand. At The Oasis Kitchen we aim to use the same local ingredients in a different way. From Spinach Salads to Fish Tacos and fusion Thai, we have mindfully designed this menu to include something for everyone. Each meal is an exquisite culinary experience!
Each day we will practice pranayama (yogic breathing techniques) surrounded by the tranquil jungle vibrations.
A day trip to Ko Mu National Park - one of the several nature excursions we will take together during the retreat.
Nature excursions
The price of this retreat includes several adventures on and around the island, including an island hopping day trip to several of the area’s most beautiful islands. On day 5, we will take a long tail boat to 4 prominent islands the Andaman Sea-Ko Cheuek, Ko Mook, Ko Maa, & Ko Ngai. We’ll have time to swim, snorkel, and relax on the beach in the crystalline waters at each one of the islands. This is an unforgettable experience in some of the most beautiful scenery in the world!
Island hopping in the Andaman Sea- a day trip into some of the world’s most iconic scenery on day 5 of the retreat!
Accommodation
During the retreat, we will be staying in the modern, comfortable Oasis Yoga Bungalows. Enjoy deep relaxation, with everything you need available 24/7 in your room. On site at the resort is a restaurant, a swimming pool, and various outdoor areas to read, relax, and enjoy the pure tranquility of the island.
How to get to Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is located in the Krabi province of Southern Thailand. There is no airport on the island itself – the nearest airport is Krabi Airport (KBV) which is an easy 1.5 - 2 hours drive to Koh Lanta. Direct international flights also arrive in nearby Phuket (HKT) which is either a 4 hours car transfer or a pleasant ferry ride with a quick stopover on the famous island of Phi Phi. However, you plan to arrive feel free to allow the organizer to make it quicker and easier by booking you a personal airport pick up.
Because most people tend to want to arrive early and spend extra time after the retreat exploring the area, we have decided to let guests decide when to arrive and depart and thus airport transportation is not included in the cost of the retreat. However, we are happy to arrange an airport pickup from Krabi airport of Phuket airport directly to the retreat for a small fee.
About the Instructors:
Joey Paz
Joey has been a devout practitioner of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga since 2008. Practicing daily for many years with Andrew Eppler, Bryce Delbridge, and Jennifer Engleman at Ashtanga Yoga Studio in Oklahoma, he began to travel regularly to India in 2013 to initiate ongoing in-depth study of Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Mantra, and Yoga philosophy with Sri BNS Iyengar, a direct student of T. Krishnamacharya and the world's elder living master in the Ashtanga lineage.
In addition to his E-RYT 500 certification from Andrew Eppler at AYS and the Himalayan Yoga Association of Rishikesh, India; Joey has studied in-depth for many years with a wide array of old school Ashtangis including David Williams, Nancy Gilgoff, Danny Paradise, David Garrigues, Gilad and Miriam Harouvi, Baptiste Marceau, Dominic & Stephanie Corigliano, & Boris Georgiev, among others.
Beyond asana, he is a student of Yogic chanting with Dr. M.A. Jayashree and Narasimhan of Ananta Research Foundation in Mysore & Kanchen Mala of Krishnamacharr Yoga Shala in Mysore; Yoga history & Sanskrit phonology/pronunciation with Seth Powell of Yogic Studies; and Yoga Darshana with Dr. M.A. Alwar of Maharaja Sanskrit College and his father, the late Dr. Lakshmi Tatachar, founder of the Samskrti Foundation in Melukote, India, and studies the texts of Yoga with Dr. Nagaraj Rao
In addition to his devoted practice and study, Joey is co-producer of the film “Mysore Yoga Traditions," a groundbreaking documentary that provides an in-depth look at the fabric of Yoga culture in Mysore; and currently co-hosts the annual Mysore Yoga Traditions Retreat and Conference held every year in Mysore- the birthplace of modern yoga.
While leading workshops and retreats around the world, Joey also curates an online continuing education program with the scholars of Mysore, India as part of the Mysore Yoga Traditions Continuing Education Program.
He returns to Mysore, India each year to continue his studies and maintain close ties to his teachers and mentors.
Jacquelin Molina Guillen
Jacquelin Molina Guillen (she/her/ella) began practicing yoga in 2018 following a car accident that left her with a neck and shoulder injury. A daily practice helped alleviate her pain and discomfort, from here she felt inspired to inform others on the benefits of yoga. This lead to her first 200 hour yoga teacher training with Yoga Punx PDX in Portland, Oregon, beneath the guidance of Sandee Lawless, Mandi Hood and Ashley Low. This is where she began her own personal practice of ashtanga.
Shortly after completing her training in the summer of 2021, Jacquelin apprenticed beneath Lawless, and studied philosophy with Sri B.N.S. Iyengar before beginning her teaching path as a restorative yoga guide. Her value for rest and relaxation is practiced in her offerings where she noticeably emphasizes practices that activate the parasympathetic nervous system, so that her students return to a balanced state of safety that is felt in the body. Jacquelin has a gift for grounding people in the present moment by creating a calm atmosphere and guiding others toward an awareness of their body. She enjoys creating supportive sequences for all bodies by playing around with props and including various meditation techniques in the practice.
Currently, Jacquelin is participating in two additional yoga teacher trainings: an ashtanga training with Yoga Punx PDX, and a philosophy and subtle body course with the Bhakti Yoga Movement Center, both located in Portland, Oregon. She teaches and practices Mysore Ashtanga yoga.
Ready to join? Don’t think about it too long! This retreat is limited to 12 people and will fill up quickly.
Get the best possible price and lowest monthly payment plan by registering earlier rather than later.
SHARED BUNGALOW:
Super Early Bird Price - $699 until July 31, 2024
Early Bird Price - $799 from August 1-August 30
Full Price - $899 from September 1 - September 30
Last Minute Price - $999 after after September 30
PRIVATE BUNGALOW:
Super Early Bird Price - $1,299 until July 31, 2024
Early Bird Price - $1,399 from August 1-August 30
Regular Price - $1,499 from September 1-September 30
Last Minute Price - $1,599 after September 30
A $100 deposit reserves your spot and locks in the retreat price at the time the deposit is made. Once you register, we will be in touch with you immediately to set up your payment plan.
Please note that due to the nature of this being an international retreat with very limited space and great cost/planning required, no refunds are possible for any reason once you commit to coming and begin making payments. You may however transfer your payments already made to another person who can come in your place if you have to cancel. By registering for this retreat, you agree to these terms.
There is only a limited amount of space available at the resort. Please register early to ensure a spot.
Contact Joey via WhatsApp at +1 4058239919 with any questions or for more information, and to discuss payment options.