18 Day 200-Hour Traditional Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training in Koh Phangan, Thailand
Yoga Teacher Training in Thailand
This is an 18-day life changing retreat at La Casa Shambala community’s very first home, on the beautiful island of Koh Phangan. More than a yoga center, it is a little community built and modelled with love on the concept of permaculture, nestled in the jungle and surrounded by the magic of a tropical island. It is an idyllic setting for a journey of yoga, self-discovery, growth, meditation, and health while learning more about self-sustainable living.
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- Eligible to register with Yoga Alliance upon completion
- Curriculum and philosophy focused on traditional Hatha yoga
- Focus on teaching traditional Ayurveda
- Learn the Ayurvedic diet and your Ayurvedic profile (the doshas)
- Use Ayurveda for preventative health and wellness
- Know the conjunction between yogic philosophy and biological principles
- 17 nights accommodation
- Organic and vegan breakfast, lunch and dinner on class days
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
Yoga styles
Accommodation
Facilities
- Dining area
- Environmentally friendly
- Kitchen
- Free Wi-Fi
- Outdoor shower
La Casa Shambala community has been open to the public since 2017. It is located on Koh Phangan, a magical island in the heart of the Gulf of Thailand, surrounded by the wilderness, nature, and blue ocean.
Upon entering the property, you will find their lush and diverse gardens, as well as 10 bamboo huts with the choice of being private or shared, accompanied by two outside showers and compost toilets.
In the heart of the community is La Casa, providing open and comfortable spaces to study, space to reflect on your journey, and enjoy some peaceful moments to yourself or the company as well as warm smiles of their team and fellow students.
Above this and overlooking the property, they have their open shala to practice yoga while taking in the views of the surrounding jungle with all that it has to offer, the sunrise, and all the wonderful noises of nature.
At La Casa, they also have an inside toilet and shower, a place to share meals with the group, and a kitchen to cook in. These are all surrounded by their beloved garden and permaculture projects. The community is surrounded by jungle life, filling you with peace, tranquility, and serenity.
La Casa Shambala welcomes you with nature-hugged, tropical, and comfortable two-person bamboo huts (equipped with fans), tucked in the lush, beautiful gardens of the property, with ample space for reconnection and reflection.
Program
Certification
Students who complete the training are eligible to register with Yoga Alliance as Registered Yoga Teachers (RYT®).
What to expect
Immerse yourself in the traditional teachings of Hatha and Vinyasa yoga, detox your mind and body, and reconnect with your true, inner, and powerful self. Become a part of the global La Casa Shambala family and share and receive the gifts of love, knowledge, energy, and acceptance, all while becoming a fully certified yoga teacher.
Program details
If you are longing to take the first step into a deeper journey of inner discovery, this course is a leap into that journey. La Casa Shambala's program is truly special, not only for its content and practice, but also for the loving intention that they put into every part of it.
Their curriculum and philosophy are focused on traditional Hatha yoga. As you will learn during the course, Hatha yoga is a way of approaching life, and the asana practice is only one of the eight limbs of the Hatha philosophy.
You will learn how to integrate the empathetic and spiritual practice of Hatha into your life, learning how to exist in the spiritual world and the modern-day world people are all accustomed to.
Vinyasa is a more modern form of yoga that comes from the Hatha asana practice. Vinyasa focuses on using breath with movement, harmonizing each movement in the yoga flow with an inhale or an exhale. No two Vinyasa classes are the same and La Casa Shambala will teach you how to sequence beautiful Vinyasa flows that will embody your unique teaching style.
Besides teaching the Hatha philosophy, this course also puts a focus on teaching traditional Ayurveda, the Ayurvedic diet, learning about your Ayurvedic profile (the doshas), and using Ayurveda for preventative health and wellness. As a yoga teacher, it’s important to understand human anatomy and how yoga influences bodies on an anatomical level.
La Casa Shambala's course teaches anatomy from its more traditional biological standpoint as well as the conjunction between yogic philosophy and biological principles. This is so that their students can understand, on a biological level, why a yoga asana practice makes one feel better.
The yoga asana classes will be traditional Hatha, Yin / Restorative yoga, and Vinyasa. Students will finish the TTC with knowledge in teaching all three varieties of yoga classes.
Arrival day schedule:
This first day listed on your course dates is the arrival day. On this day, you will have a tour and the opening ceremony that typically starts at about 14:30. La Casa Shambala strongly recommends that everyone arrives before this time.
Please also note the only included meal on this day is dinner. Course classes will start early the following morning (before any ferries arrive) so you do need to arrive on this first day.
Departure day schedule:
The final day listed on your course dates is the departure day. Check out time is 12:00, but you can leave earlier if needed. Please note that the graduation ceremony and official certification is on this day in the morning. However, there are no required classes. Please note the only meal on this day is breakfast.
Daily schedule:
- 07:00 - 07:50 Chanting / meditation / pranayama
- 08:00 - 09:30 Asana practice Hatha / Vinyasa
- 09:30 - 10:30 Breakfast
- 10:30 - 12:00 Philosophy / anatomy / teaching practice
- 12:00 - 13:30 Lunch and rest
- 13:30 - 15:30 Philosophy / anatomy / teaching practice
- 15:30 - 17:00 Philosophy / anatomy / teaching practice
- 17:00 - 18:30 Yin / Restorative yoga
- 18:30 - 19:30 Dinner
- 19:30 - 22:00 Self-study / free time
Please note that this schedule is an example only and is subject to change.
Instructors
Sara Ramalho
Sara was introduced to the yoga and Reiki path in 2008 by a friend. Very quickly yoga became a way of life. In 2013, she became a yoga teacher, training in the wisdom of the Himalayas, and then completed Reiki. Since then, she has been studying and exploring yoga philosophy. She is currently leading yoga teacher training and doing regular sessions such as Reiki, chakra balancing, crystal healing, and massages. She teaches yoga classes, focusing on prana, strength, relaxation, body awareness, groundedness, and heart-centering, offered in an accessible and playful way, with devotion and love.
Mika Schroder
Mika found her passion in yoga in 2005. Today, her practice is the base from which she draws her energy and strength for all of life’s adventures. She loves to teach Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, Fascia Yoga as well as hormone Yoga therapy. Mika shines in teaching confidence to new Yoga teachers.
Paula Chacón
Paula is a world traveler passionate about expanding the integration between anatomy, energy, and spiritual growth. In 2013 Paula began the journey of holistic healing and simultaneously started her career in occupational therapy and practice of yoga. She has worked with neurodevelopment and sensory integration in people with disabilities. In 2016 Paula discovered Acroyoga began hosting workshops in communities all around the world. She completed her training in the Indian Himalayas, trained in Reiki, in different massage techniques and dedicated to helping others achieve a healthy lifestyle.
Retreat location
General info about the area
The small island of Koh Phangan is magic for the senses. Located in the Gulf of Thailand, about 70 kilometers off the main coast and close to its “big sister” Koh Samui, the island is easily one of the most beautiful and wild one of Thailand.
Although a small area south of the island may be famous worldwide for its full moon party, the atmosphere on the rest of the island could not be more different and you will find far more than just picture-perfect beaches. Koh Phangan is a unique place in Thailand, as it does not only welcome its guests with crystal clear waters but also an incredibly beautiful and strong energy.
For decades now, it has been one of the country’s top wellness destination and has become one of the world’s leading yoga locations. The Sri Thanu area in particular is a renowned yoga, meditation, and wellness hub. The energy is almost palpable. It is in the air.
A health-conscious community goes hand in hand with great food, and Koh Phangan is a healthy food heaven. The yogic culture being so strong there, it's no surprise that you will find a vast selection of vegetarian and vegan restaurants, although what may be a pleasant surprise is the standard of food you will find there along with some of the best traditional Thai food.
Nature will be all around you on this wonderful island. Koh Phangan is not an overly developed island, as a large proportion of it is a protected national park. This comes with the opportunity to visit breathtaking landscapes, magical waterfalls, and go on hikes that will never be forgotten.
The island is also a great spot to practice water sports in some of the most turquoise and warm waters on the planet. The most magical part of the day will come in the evening, with the Koh Phangan sunset which words or photos cannot do justice to.
La Casa Shambala is strategically placed between the main centers of Thongsala and Sri Thanu, making them both easily accessible and giving students the best of both worlds.
Although the retreat center is not too far from a variety of shops and it positioned on the edge of Sri Thanu where you can find an array of health-conscious restaurants, cafes, as well as holistic treatment opportunities, it is hidden away in a peaceful area of silence and tranquillity.
Food
In the yoga tradition, food is viewed not just as sustenance, but as a powerful tool to deepen your understanding of the body, mind, and spirit, and their connection to the natural world. As part of your course, you will explore the role of food in supporting your practice, with an introduction to a plant-based, vegan diet—one that is designed to nourish, energize, and sustain you throughout your journey.
The focus of this diet is on whole, unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. These nutrient-dense foods offer a wide array of essential vitamins, proteins and minerals, supporting your overall health and enhancing your yoga practice.
If you have any dietary restrictions, food allergies, or special needs, please inform La Casa Shambala. They are happy to make adjustments to ensure that your nutrition supports your individual requirements while fostering balance and well-being.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Organic
- Naturopathic
- Lactose Free
- Whole food
- Yogic
- Other dietary requirements on request
- Ayurvedic
Things to do (optional)
Activities
You will be quite busy with this program, but if you still have energy left, Koh Phangan has many beautiful beaches, amazing temples, and adventurous activities such as ziplining, hiking, kiteboarding, wake-boarding, scuba diving, and more.
Transport
La Casa Shambala can also facilitate scooter and bicycle rental for you and provide taxi numbers if you prefer to use them. The average price per day for scooter rental is 250 THB while daily bicycle rental costs 150 THB.
Taxi prices on the island vary depending on number of passengers and distance. The average price from La Casa Shambala to the pier is around 250 THB (distance of four kilometers).
Laundry
There are several laundry places right across the main road (and many in general all over the island). The cost of having your laundry washed, ironed, folded and smelling lovely on return is approximately 1 USD per kilogram!
Dining
There are also numerous local, fresh, and vegan restaurants and cafés within close proximity of La Casa Shambala.
Spa treatments
Also, there are no spa treatments included but La Casa Shambala offers a wide variety of choices to add-on. They can organize various types of massage, body scrubs, facials, pedicure / manicure, acupuncture, Tibetan ball, acupuncture, and more. Please ask La Casa Shambala for more details.
What's included
- RYT 200 certification - Eligible for registration with Yoga Alliance
- All course materials
- Transfer from the pier on the day of course commencement (on island)
- Support and care from La Casa Shambala's local manager and team before and after the course
- Personal lock and key
- Free Wi-Fi (in common areas)
- 17 nights’ accommodation
- Organic and vegan breakfast, lunch, and dinner on class days (arrival day - dinner only; departure day - breakfast only)
- Free drinking water
What's not included
- Airfare
- Airport transfers
- Transfer back to the pier
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Samui Airport
22 km
Transfer not provided
Surat Thani Airport
115 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by airplane
Part of the mystic of Koh Phangan is that it is only accessible by water. Below are the closest airports followed by different ferry options to then reach the island.
- Surat Thani (URT) - It will be a four to five-hour journey (bus and ferry) to Koh Phangan. This is the cheapest option for flying.
- Koh Samui (USM) - The easiest and quickest way is to fly to Koh Samui. This option is more expensive, especially if you'll be flying from within Thailand.
When flying from outside Asia, you will find that adding an extra flight to Koh Samui to your itinerary often does not result in a big change to the overall price of the ticket, so it is definitely worth checking out. Koh Samui is just a short one-hour flight from Bangkok.
Arrival by ferry
The best option from Surat Thani is the Raja Ferry. They do transfers directly from the airport to the pier and then a ferry to Phangan for just 470 THB per person.
From Koh Samui, La Casa Shambala recommends Lomprayah. They have locations in both Nathon and Pralarn Pier. The ferry takes just 20 to 30 minutes and the price is 350 to 400 THB, including airport transfer. Pralarn Pier is closer to the airport (roughly 20 minutes) while Nathon is farther (about 45 minutes).
You can also take the Marine Passion (Petcharat Pier in Bophut, 20 minutes or so from the airport, 650 THB per person) or Raja Ferry (Lipa Noi Pier, about one hour from the airport, 150 THB for the ferry but you'll need to take a transfer to the pier on your own which is 600 to 1,000 THB. It is also the longest journey from Koh Samui - one hour and 30 minutes).
Once you arrive on the island of Koh Phangan, La Casa Shambala is just a short journey from the ferry port and they will be happy to organize pick up with you ahead of your arrival. To arrange, they will need your ferry information, which you can add to the logistics form or let them know in the WhatsApp group.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookYogaRetreats.com. All major credit cards supported.