On an island known for its all night parties, Koh Phangan is also a place where yoga lovers flock. Experts spend their time practicing yoga among the nature in the jungle.
This was one of my main motivations for initially coming to Koh Phangan. Although I wanted to visit the moon parties and lay on the beaches, I also wanted to practice yoga on the islands. However, I am by no means a professional and every class was spent pushing myself further and improving my skills.
If you’re a novice yoga practicer looking to try yoga for the first time or just improve on your skills, like me, Koh Phangan is a great place to do so! From yoga retreats to beach yoga and yoga in the jungle, there is something for everyone on the island.
I was nervous that I would be far out of my league and falling behind everyone else in class. However, I could not of been more wrong.
My yoga class was up on an open bamboo tree hut, surrounded by palm trees and open air. The constant breeze made the workout much more enjoyable. Soothing music was playing in the background as palm trees rustled in the wind. Smells of Thai food from the kitchen nearby crept up and I could even hear chickens and cows in the distance. This was a completely different environment than I had ever been in before.
The yoga instructors were kind and patient. They talked slowly and clearly, and demonstrated every move. They helped correct any movements I needed help with and balanced strength training with relaxation. I really felt as if I was getting a workout while unwinding and relaxing.
The best part of my experience was discovering that everyone else was learning and improving their skills just like me. I didn’t feel uncomfortable or as if everyone was far better than me. If I lost my balance, it was likely someone else did too.
It is fun to practice yoga besides others like you. Everyone is focusing on themselves and the entire concept of yoga is that it is a growing, learning and healing process. So whether you are a skilled yoga practicer or want to try it for the first time, Koh Phangan is a great and supportive place to do so!
By. Veronica Nagorna