Phuket hosts Ashtanga weekend retreat

© iStock.com/Inga Ivanova

© iStock.com/Inga Ivanova

Related links

• Phuket arrivals to top four million
• Phuket home to newest sport facility
• Phuket hotel wins four major awards
• Thailand tourism booming
• Seafood lures Aussies to Phuket
• India: Heat and colour
• A funhouse collective of artists
• Luxury resort hosts yoga retreat
• Yosemite bows to no man
• Another accolade for Thanyamundra
• Lost and found in Mendocino
• Phuket to get nine million visitors

THE innovative Thanyapura Mind Centre will hold its inaugural weekend yoga retreat between November 18 and 20, 2011.

Suitable for all levels of practitioners searching for a boost to mind, body and soul, this programme will be run by Kimberly Roberts, a qualified teacher and instructor who has worked beside and been taught by some of the world's most eminent scholars in Ashtanga.

Thanyapura's mind centre is committed to bringing the best and most knowledgeable partners to the centre and Ms Roberts is certainly one the best Ashtanga teachers to ever visit Phuket.

Beginning her committed practice of Ashtanga yoga in 1992 under the guidance of Richard Freeman in Boulder, Colorado, USA, Kimberly spent a year studying with Sri Pattabhi Jois and his grandson Sharath Rangaswamy in Mysore, India, where she was authorised to teach the Ashtanga system.

In addition, Kimberly earned a teaching certificate from the White Lotus Institute in Santa Barbara, California.

She also has extensive experience guiding meditation students in retreat settings.

The retreat will explore the foundational practices of Ashtanga yoga, leading students at their own pace to revitalise and prepare the body to experience its deeper essence in meditation.

Practitioners will move through the postures at their own pace and advance only when ready. The practice will be adjusted to the appropriate level for each student. No prior experience is necessary and all levels of students are welcome.

The weekend will begin with an introduction and discussion on Friday evening, before moving into practice and meditation on Saturday, followed by a discussion group. Sunday's class will continue to explore details of the Ashtanga system, ending with a seated meditation. The weekend will close with a question and answer session.

This weekend program marks the initiation of Ashtanga yoga into the curriculum of Thanyapura's offerings. An ongoing, seasonal Ashtanga (Mysore) program will eventually be incorporated into the schedule so that students may continue the study of Ashtanga yoga at Thanyapura.

The boutique retreat centre, located just 15 minutes from Phuket International Airport, is surrounded by the natural beauty of a national park, and also offers excellent accommodation with access to the Olympic-standard sports facilities of the ground-breaking TSLC. In addition, guests are invited to enjoy the on-site organic dining options, spa and events facilities as well as the Mind Centre's meditation programmes.

>> Read more travel stories.