Deepen

The benefits of improved asana technique will lead to greater flexibility, strength and improved muscle tone. Yoga reduces muscle tension or inflammation and helps to alleviate and prevent injury. Other physical benefits from advanced asana include cardiovascular health, a balanced metabolism, improved respiration, and greater energy levels. The hectic nature of the modern world can make it difficult to have a calm and clear mind. Among a range of mental and emotional benefits to achieving true tranquility, regular practice of pranayama will help to fight depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. As well as enhanced focus and concentration, meditation also helps us to look for the answers that are only available when we access the higher mind (intuition and unlimited source of creativity). Shatkarma, yogic forms of purification, improves our emotional state and mood by balancing the parasynthetic and sympathetic nervous systems. Shatkarma can also be used to relieve digestive system disorders, hormonal imbalances, sexual and urinary disorders.

Pranayama techniques covered in the Deepen program include:

• Kapalabhati, a pranayama technique used as a preparatory exercise to cleanse the body before asana practice.
• Ujjayi pranayama, sometimes referred to as Ocean Breath. It involves breathing in and out deeply through both nostrils while producing a vibration in the throat. This strengthens the diaphragm, calms the breath, and encourages the healthy flow of prana.  
  

Ujjayi serves as a focal point when working through asana practice, steadying the mind and slowing  down the nervous system.

• Nadi Shodhana, a breathing exercise that balances the masculine and feminine energies of the body. Creating this balance is calming and helps with concentration.
• Bhastrika, an advanced pranayama exercise that brings oxygen to the blood and promotes a deeper sense of vitality.
• Nauli, an advanced pranayama and cleansing technique that engages the transverse abdominals and acts as an internal massage across your visceral organs.

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

This program is designed for intermediate to advanced yoga practitioners.

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.