28 Day 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Koh Phangan, Thailand
Thailand Yoga Teacher Training
Benefit from an extensively developed and holistic curriculum which is a product of years of dedication and love of yoga. The yoga teacher training is taught by a team of experienced senior yoga teachers, each of them are specialists in their own area. Samma Karuna offers the services of a team of specialist teachers rather than using a single teacher for all subjects. It's their mission to cultivate a lifestyle that fosters inner growth and helps people to rediscover meaning and purpose in their lives. They believe that everyone already has everything it takes to create a peaceful, equitable, and sustainable existence. They just need to renew their relationship with themselves, their community, and their environment.
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Highlights
- Daily yoga classes
- Daily meditation sessions
- Unique program of training
- Free access to a four-week awakening and healing program upon completion
- Eligibility to register with Yoga Alliance upon completion
- Daily lunch and tea time snacks
- 27 nights accommodation
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Yoga styles
Accommodation
Facilities
- Sauna
- Air-conditioned public areas
- Café
- Garden
- Lounge
- Restaurant
- Yoga shala
- Bicycle rental
- Free Wi-Fi
- Parking lot
Samma Karuna is nestled amongst the palm trees, beautiful beaches, and jungle landscapes of Koh Phangan. The island is a perfect environment for self-discovery and self-development. There are many lodging options available in the area offering a wide range of amenities. All of the rooms have their own private bathrooms.
Samma Karuna offers a range of accommodations, from shared dormitories to private bungalows with amenities and scenic sea views. You can select your preferred lodging option when booking your course. Accommodations are available within the campus or at their neighboring partner resort.
Type A
Comfortable and spacious bungalow room with amenities and sea view.
Type B
Standard private medium-range bungalow with air conditioner.
Type C
Simple and clean bungalow with fan or standard medium with air conditioner shared with another student.
Type D
Single bed in a 4-bed mixed-gender dorm with air conditioner.
Samma Karuna has many facilities such as:
- 4 yoga halls (3 of them by the beach)
- An aqua indoor therapeutic pool
- Beach area
- Welcome center
- Yoga shop
- Gathering areas
- 2 evening event halls
- Vegan restaurant
- Areas for art and expression
- Chill out areas
- Common areas
- Garden area among the halls
- Sauna and massage shop
- Bonfire area
- Indoor air-conditioned hall
- Bikes and motorbike parking
- Welcome center - Samma Karuna is happy to serve you in anything they can to make your stay with them as positive and productive as possible. The kind staff members are there to help with any issues.
- Free Wi-Fi - Free Wi-Fi hotspot is available for students and guests.
- Free water - Free filtered water is available at the school.
Program
Certifications
Upon completion of this yoga teacher training, students are eligible to register with Yoga Alliance as Registered Yoga Teachers (RYT®).
Eight reasons to take your training with Samma Karuna
- Real school of yoga - Samma Karuna is a school that runs throughout the year. The team of senior teachers fully embraces yoga as a lifestyle and path of liberation.
- Non-dogmatic - the school embraces yoga, tantra, Buddhist values, and modern science research as part of the course, whilst maintaining a non-dogmatic and open-minded approach, as foundation pillars of the school.
- A heart school - Samma Karuna is based on the development of qualities of the heart such as simplicity, love, kindness, and compassion representing the spiritual heart of South East Asia.
- An exceptional program - the non-dogmatic and scientific approach allows them to provide an exceptionally complete, organic program of training.
- An intensive course in a fun, relaxing environment for you to learn - Samma Karuna believes that life is for learning but also for celebrating, therefore, Samma Karuna provides a fun, relaxing environment where learning and celebration go hand-in-hand.
- A free internship for recently graduated students - the program offers a free internship to teach yoga at their school (optional), for those students who would like to deepen their experiential teaching skills. This is valid for one year after obtaining your certificate.
- A community and family - Samma Karuna is not just a school, but also a community of friends and family that practices a conscious lifestyle and takes care of each other. You can volunteer and receive a 20% discount: By volunteering with Samma Karuna for an extra month, you are entitled to a 20% discount on the course's regular price. The prices listed in the package have already included the discount.
- Location - the beautiful yoga school by the beach is located in Koh Phangan, the second-largest yoga center in Southeast Asia and one of the most beautiful islands of Thailand.
After the deposit have been made, students will go through following steps to see if they are eligible for the retreat.
- First is the deposit
- Second is the written assessment
- Lastly, the one on one interview
- Topics covered
The program covers all Yoga Alliance requirements but also includes an exceptional study of yoga techniques and practices. The yoga teacher training not only emphasizes the practice and teaching of yoga asanas but also views yoga as a profound path of healing and spiritual awakening.
- Asana practice and theory in Hatha, Vinyasa and Yin
- Vipassana / Anapana Meditation
- Active meditations and OSHO active meditation practice
- Classic pranayama and breathwork for healing
- Compassionate sharing
- Yoga and self-development
- Yogi and Taoist cultivating, circulating, and sublimating of energy
- Anatomy and physiology
- The 6 yogic purification techniques (Shatkarma)
- The 8 Limbs of Yoga of Patanjali
- Yamas and niyamas
- Overview of yoga history
- Yoga and the spiritual path (Archegram)
- Basics of Sanskrit
- Energy body structure (Chakras)
- Introduction to Tantra
- Shankhaprakshalana practice (Optional)
- Breathwork - Samma Karuna So Ham practice
- Mantras and mudras
- Truth and self-inquiry practice
- The art of teaching yoga
- Yoga and marketing
Requirements
Prerequisites to enroll in the Hatha yoga teacher training 200-hour course
- An open flexible mind, commitment to learning, and motivation to become a yoga teacher.
- A high level of self-discipline is required during the course as it is physically, mentally, and spiritually demanding but also highly rewarding.
- You must be able to read, speak, and comprehend English with a satisfactory degree of fluency.
- Previous experience in a yoga asanas practice.
- Being able to meditate in stillness for 1 hour or more.
- In order to be considered for either of these 3 modules, you need to pay an online deposit and fill in the application form that will be forwarded to you by email.
Volunteer with Samma Karuna to avail of these special package prices
By volunteering with Samma Karuna for two to three hours a day, you can practice Karma yoga and selflessly give for the benefit of others. Volunteering is typically done at the school or in nearby areas. They have programs to volunteer at Phangan Animal Care, work at an organic farm, or help at the school in activities such as assisting in classes, Welcome Center duties, distributing flyers, etc.
The volunteering is offered either four full weeks before the teacher training course starts (recommended) or four full weeks immediately after your teacher training course finishes. In exceptional cases, volunteering can be allowed during your course as well.
What are the requirements to be a volunteer?
Samma Karuna actively works to develop empathy and compassion. By bringing their light and energy forth, they help to open up people's hearts, ease each other's suffering, and cultivate long-lasting happiness.
The community program is designed for people who have worked on themselves for a minimum of one year and feel like taking the next step on their path by helping others. You will bring your positive energy and attitude to the school students, whilst being part of the mindful community team that sustains the energy that heals and supports student’s growth.
What kind of community work is required during your training?
Community work is divided into three areas, working at the school, assisting the local Thai community, and working on environmental projects. For example, they have programs to clean the beaches, volunteer in Phangan Animal Care or the local kindergarten, and gardening. You can also assist in classes, help at the welcome center, or distribute flyers, etc.
What will your day consist of?
- 07:15 - 08:15 Vippasana meditation
- 08:30 - 10:30 Asana practice
- 11:00 - 12:30 Lunch break
- 12:30 - 13:30 Meditation, yoga Nidra, or yoga theory
- 13:40 - 14:40 Yoga philosophy, Patanjali's yoga sutras or anatomy
- 14:40 - 16:00 Tea break
- 16:00 - 17:30 Asana practice
- 18:00 - 19:00 Art of teaching, physiology or adjustment and alignment
Sundays are your day off. The schedule structure will remain the same throughout, but the topics will change according to the program.
Instructors
Elena Gomez
Elena, originally from Spain, left her career in marketing and finance to pursue her passion for yoga. She completed a 200-hour Yoga TTC at Samakaruna in 2015 and has been professionally teaching since then. Certified in pranayama, meditation, and mindfulness, as well as a registered 500-hour teacher, Elena specializes in asana practice, including Vinyasa, Power Yoga, Hatha, and Restorative Yoga.
Retreat location
Samma Karuna is located in front of the beaches of Koh Phangan, a paradisiac island in the Gulf of Thailand. The accommodation is nestled amongst palm trees, beautiful beaches, and jungle landscapes with stunning mountain views. Thong Sala city center is only a 15-minute drive away.
Crossing the street from the school, you will find an ATM. Also, you will be able to enjoy "Art Café" - a very famous and cozy coffee shop. The shopping villa Srithanu is just a 5-minute walk away and there you can find supermarkets, a recreational aquatic center as well as restaurants serving both local and international food.
Distances
- Family Mart Haad Chap Phao, 100 meters
- Srithanu - 5 minutes walk
- Thong Sala, 5 kilometers - 15 minutes drive
Unique features
Activities
- Sauna
General
- Air-conditioned public areas
- Café
- Garden
- Lounge
- Restaurant
- Yoga shala
Services
- Bicycle rental
- Free Wi-Fi
- Parking lot
Food
You will be provided one vegetarian meal a day and healthy snack during tea time. You may eat healthy and tasty food served at Samma Karuna's vegetarian and vegan restaurant. Monosodium glutamate, sugar, industrial salt, gluten, refined oil, or artificial flavoring are not used. The menu is designed to optimally support you in your yoga practice.
The following meals are included:
- Lunch
- Snacks
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
Things to do (optional)
The location of Samma Karuna is also perfect for enjoying the most popular tourist attractions of Koh Phangan. You can experience popular attractions such as diving, trekking, visiting the Thong Sala night market, enjoying Thai cooking classes, dipping in the pools, taking a massage shower, resting on beautiful beaches with incredible sunsets, discovering waterfalls, and being amazed by beautiful natural landscapes.
What's included
- Truly exceptional training program from Samma Karuna School of Awakening and Healing
- Welcome bag and training manual
- Set of music, guided meditations, and yoga texts
- Transfer service from the pier
- 27 nights accommodation
- Daily nutritious vegan lunch buffet and tea break
- Free optional internship to teach yoga at the school for graduates
- Yoga teacher membership to take yoga classes for an extra month
- Eligibility to register with Yoga Alliance upon completion of the course
- Advanced yoga practices
- Vipassana
- Active meditations
- Trance state induction Non-dogmatic and self-understanding program (85% of this course is experiential)
What's not included
- Flights
- Transfers
- Anything not mentioned as included
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Samui Airport
26 km
Transfer not provided
Surat Thani Airport
114 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by airplane
You may book your flight to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok. From there, you may fly to Samui Airport (USM). Between Bangkok and Koh Samui, there are many daily services run by Bangkok Airways. Flying time is about 50 minutes. A connecting ferry will have to be taken from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan (see ferry info below).
From Bangkok, you can also fly first to Surat Thani Airport (URT). Air Asia flies from Bangkok to Surat Thani daily, the flying time is about 50 minutes. The transfer from Surat Thani Airport (URT) to Donsak ferry port is by coach or taxi and takes about one hour and 30 minutes. At Donsak, you transfer to the Raja ferry to Koh Phangan which takes three hours. Whilst the overall journey is longer than flying directly to Koh Samui, it can be cheaper to fly via Surat Thani, depending on the time of year.
Arrival by bus
There are many bus services from Bangkok to Koh Phangan. Most of these are sleeper buses. They can be booked from travel agencies in Bangkok or by going to the central bus station (Sia Thai). The journey takes about ten hours to Donsak, the ferry port for boats going to Koh Phangan. From Donsak, the journey takes around three hours to Koh Phangan. Usually, the ferry is included in the price of the bus.
Arrival by ferry
There are ferries from Samui To Koh Phangan. The Seatran ferry leaves Koh Samui at 08:00 and 13:00. The Lomprayah ferry leaves Koh Samui at 08:00, 11:15, 12:30, and 17:00. The Seatran pier is located near the airport, approximately a ten-minute drive and the Lompraya pier is located 50 minutes from the airport. The Lompraya pier is 50 minutes from the airport. Please take this into consideration when booking the rest of your journey. Ferries arrive in Koh Phangan at Thong Sala pier.
For returning back, the Seatran ferry leaves Koh Phangan at 11:00 and 16:30. The Lomprayah ferry leaves Koh Phangan at 07:15, 11:00, 12:00, and 16:20.
From Koh Samui airport, there is a shuttle service going to the ferry ports for Koh Phangan. This is usually available as a free service. Please ask for this service when you purchase the ticket for the ferry at the Seatran / Lompraya ferry counter as you exit Koh Samui airport.
Arrival by train
Trains leave Bangkok several times daily, the journey time is about 12 hours. Sleeping booths are available for some services. Leaving the train at Surat Thani, the transfer by coach or taxi from Surat Thani station to Donsak pier takes about one hour. From Donsak, the ferry journey takes three hours to Koh Phangan.
There are two companies that run luxury coach services from Bangkok to Chumphon, which takes about six hours. At Chumphon, you transfer to a large express boat that stops at Koh Tao before arriving at Koh Phangan. The boat journey from Chumphon to Koh Phangan takes about three hours.
Arrival by taxi
Local taxis are available from the pier. Please inform the taxi to go to Samma Karuna Srithanu. Please print out instructions in Thai to give to the taxi driver, this will avoid any unnecessary delay and frustration. Taxis are approximately 200 to 300 THB per person.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
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