Wake

Meditation is a process by which you can redirect thoughts, increasing self-awareness and your better understanding of your surroundings. The benefits of meditation are well-documented and almost universally acknowledged, even by conventional western medical orthodoxy. Stress management is one of the key reasons that students join the Wake program. The effects of stress can inhibit deep sleep, cause depression and anxiety, increase blood pressure, cause fatigue and prevent clarity of thought.

Meditation may also alleviate symptoms of stress-related illness, including irritable bowel syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, and fibromyalgia. Meditation is also an effective tool in combating anxiety disorders, including phobias, social anxiety disorder, paranoia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, chronic pain, memory loss, and panic attacks. It is also a useful tool in addressing addiction and substance abuse issues. It also helps to manage pressure exerted in work environments and is useful for those who are finding their career path unclear or blocked.

The Vikasa lifestyle help you to learn how to distinguish better between positive and negative influences. Spirituality is a wonderful basis for the pursuit of long-term peace with ourselves, providing a platform for us to process life’s challenges. It imbues a sense of tranquility in even the most stressful situations, enabling you to project positivity to those around you. This leads to enhanced decision-making, empathy and self-love. By acknowledging our innermost feelings honestly and without external interference, we can truly understand our true selves and our genuine feelings.

Nutrition can also help, with ‘junk food’ and sugar withdrawal, as well as certain types of digestive bacteria linked to a range of mental health issues, from depression and insomnia to dementia. You are what you eat, but this doesn’t mean denying yourself to the point of misery. You can enjoy a healthy diet and the benefits of eating well at the same time!

Mental wellbeing is intrinsically linked to regular exercise – the benefits to hormonal balance as well as improved cardio-vascular and respiratory health. If you have been going through a tough time, this will help you feel a renewed sense of self-worth and control.

Yoga is accessible and you can do it anywhere. No equipment (besides a simple mat) is required and you can do it by yourself in the privacy of your own home or in a class with others. Routine is a great way to move forward in life, with a daily yoga being a cornerstone.

We also encourage Rise attendees to embrace creative pursuits. You don’t have to be a talented artist or musician. Simply focusing on giving life to an idea can be an incredible experience, a positive way to channel emotion and energy. The feeling of accomplishment and optimism it brings is great for emotional growth and transformation.

Everyone that comes to Vikasa for the Rise program does so for a different reason. We will help you find a new approach best-fitted to your specific personality and circumstances.

We can’t promise that you will have a life without challenges and set-backs, but we can give you the blueprint to a lifestyle that will leave you better prepared.

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:

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 Wake 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.