BEGIN X Vikasa

Private yoga coaching will introduce you to a new dimension. Beginning yoga with a personal program will transform a seemingly standard yoga mat from a random rectangle of rubber into a magic portal that keeps you grounded, connected and open. It’s a safe place that doesn’t take up much space, rolls up in the corner, and can teach you more about yourself than you imagined.

Thousands of years ago sages of ancient India developed techniques we now call yoga to create a connection with their innermost essence. This is now practiced worldwide as a way to control stress, and to maintain balance and focus. Even among experienced practitioners, there are a range of opinions on what yoga actually is, but all views agree that at yoga’s core is spirituality. There are multiple physiological, physiological and spiritual benefits of keeping pranic energy moving freely within the body.

After completing the program, you’ll have a new philosophy and routine to take home and incorporate into your daily life. The practice of asanas will increase flexibility and improve muscle tone; you will feel physically fitter. Other well-documented benefits include improved respiration, a balanced metabolism, and an enhanced immune function. Weight loss and improved cardiovascular health are also common benefits to yoga practice. Pranayama will help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. You may find that you achieve a deeper, more refreshing state of sleep. This will still the mind and enable you to find a state of tranquillity, which allows us to glimpse our true essence. Meditation has been proven to slow the aging process, freeing the mind from stressors, leading to a state of deep peace. meditating is associated with greater relationship satisfaction, as well as better communication during conflict. But perhaps most importantly, you’ll get excited about this new chapter in your life. A chapter where YOU come first in your most connected, centered and prepared version of your SELF. This will empower you to take on new challenges head first and have a greater impact on your tribe and your world. 

Potential physical health benefits include:

• Increased flexibility, muscle strength and tone
• Reduced muscle tension and inflammation
• Greater energy and vitality
• A balanced metabolism  
• Weight reduction, a higher metabolic rate
• Cardio and circulatory health
• Injury prevention
• Increases body awareness
• Increases immune function 

Physiological Benefits

• Greater focus
• Calmed central nervous system
• Sense of community
• Prevents depression, anxiety and sleep disorders
• Improves mood and behavior
• Stress control
• Improves memory
• Decelerates the aging process

Prana powers our hearts and activates bodily functions, with breathing being the most obvious manifestation of prana flow. 

This will help you to balance hormone functions which help to control all of our emotional responses. You will find it easier to release stress and experience serenity of the mind. Crucially, you will get a glimpse into our true essence—the being that exists regardless of breathing —in the stillness and awareness that remains between each breath.

We will also provide instruction on Shatkarma, the six cleansing actions in hatha yoga used for purification. The build-up of mucus, bile, and gas can cause a range of ailments, from colds and digestive complaints to hormone imbalance and emotional tension. Learning shatkarma practices under the supervision of a guru as part of the Begin will help your overall approach to mental and physical health.

Aside from the obvious benefit of enhanced focus, meditation also enables us to look for the answers that are only available with access to the higher mind (intuition and unlimited source of creativity). 

There are also social benefits, as you will become part of an enlightened community, and you will be able to remain calm when communicating.

It may be difficult initially to adhere to a smooth rhythm of breath at the beginning. With practice, it will become easier. Through pranayama, we gradually control the mind and its balance with the physical world.

The course syllabus includes instruction on different types of meditation such as mindfulness meditation, chakra meditation, yoga nidra, kundalini meditation and vipassana meditation.

It also covers meditation postures such as Sukhasana (easy), Vajrasana (thunderbolt/diamond), Swastikasana (auspicious), and Padmasana (lotus).

Vikasa is located on Koh Samui, which is an island in the Gulf of Thailand. Vikasa is in the south east corner of the island, in between Chaweng Noi and Lamai. Vikasa is a 20 minute drive from Koh Samui International Airport (USM) and a 35 minute drive from the Nathon and Lipa Noi ferry terminals.

The best way to get to Vikasa is to fly into Koh Samui International Airport (USM).  There are daily flights into Koh Samui from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and others.  We will arrange your pick up from the airport.

This will depend on where you are from. For details of Thailand’s visa arrangements with specific countries see here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Thailand

Although tourist visas are generally required, there is an exemption for travellers from 30 countries (Australia, UK, USA, France, Germany, Sweden and others) who wish to travel to Thailand for 30 days or less. If you are a citizen of one of these countries you do not need to obtain a visa. Note that if you plan to stay for longer than 30 days, it is possible to obtain a short extension from the immigration office on Koh Samui at some point during your stay.

If you are not a citizen of one of the countries with which Thailand has specific visa exemption or waiver arrangements, you will need to obtain a 30, 60 or 90 day tourist visa before arriving in Thailand

Yes, the Begin program is suitable for participants of all levels including complete beginners.

Yoga clothes, tropical climate clothes and swimwear.  Yoga mats and props and towels are all provided. You may want to add an excursion to your program such as a waterfall hike, in which case a pair of sneakers would also be handy. If you want to use the Sky Gym during your stay you’ll need gym clothes too. 

The programs are facilitated by specially trained Vikasa staff with significant expertise in their field. You will receive input from a number of practitioners during your stay.

Koh Samui is a beautiful tropical island located in the Gulf of Thailand.  It is approximately 90 minutes from the mainland via ferry, but is easily accessible via airplane.  It has a population of around 70,000 people and has key infrastructure such as a small international airport, good medical facilities (including hospitals), banking facilities (including ATMs), good wifi coverage and good roads.  It is possible to drive around the entire island in around 90 minutes, and visitors generally either travel via scooter or taxi as walking is difficult.  Vikasa is located between Chaweng Noi and Lamai in a quiet area of the island.  It is possible to walk from Vikasa to nearby beaches, but guests generally stay on the Vikasa premises or rent scooters or taxis for trips to nearby markets and shopping malls.  The weather is generally hot year round, with temperatures often around 30 degrees celsius.

We recommend that participants download the free lifestyle guide and read up on the Vikasa Lifestyle before arrival. If you don’t have time to read it that’s ok too, we will review some content during your program.