6 Day Pre-Vipassana Course in Koh Phangan, Surat Thani
Samma Karuna, 84/13 Moo 8 Haad Chao Phao, Ko Phangan Surat Thani, Thailand
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Rejuvenating Thailand Yoga and Meditation Retreat
Join in a retreat at Samma Karuna, and embrace Vipassana as an authentic path for happiness and inner-peace. Start a deep journey into yourself whilst you experience an authentic and fun spiritual community where you can be yourself, relax, and prepare for your Vipassana meditation retreat.
Meet the instructors
Ishi, Aliona, & Martin
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Highlights
- Yoga class twice a day
- Introduction to Vipassana and daily qigong sessions
- One to One interviews with a senior teacher to guide you through the program
- OSHO Dynamic and active meditations plus insightful lectures and exercises
- 3 Thai massage sessions, complementary bag, and introduction booklet
- Transfer service from the pier
- 5 nights accommodation
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Yoga styles
6 days with instruction in English
The organizer also speaks: Spanish
Accommodation
Facilities
- Shopping
- Concierge desk
- Garden
- Lounge
- Restaurant
- Yoga shala
- Yoga studio
- Parking lot
- Tour assistance
- Wireless internet
During the retreat you will be staying at Samma Karuna, Koh Phangan.
The school provides four types of accommodation for students taking courses according to students requirements. By default all accommodation provided is in shared dorm, but students may decide to upgrade for an additional cost.
Accommodation type C
This is accommodation in shared standard bungalow with A/C.
Accommodation type B
Private type B accommodation is in standard bungalow with A/C.
Accommodation type A
Private type A accommodation is in a comfortable bungalow with Amenities and Sea View.
Program
Running throughout the year, the pre-Vipassana course uses active, dynamic and still meditations along with yoga and Qi-Gong to leave your body and mind ready to take the best benefits of a Vipassana retreat. The organizers understand that it is important to work on “the big stones” before deepening on the subtle world of Vipassana. This course is suitable from completely beginners to very experienced Vipassana meditators. A senior teacher will meet up with you and tailor the course to your particular needs.
Yoga practice
Samma Karuna’s yoga is gentle, spiritual and therapeutic. Suitable both for beginners and experienced practitioners. A senior teacher may recommend you to take some asanas practice in order to help you develop the strength required to sit for long hours in meditation posture.
Qi Gong
Qi Gong is a practice of mastering Qi in the body (life force energy) through rhythmic breathing, slow and sometimes rapid movement, static poses which are held for a period of time, and deep focus. A senior teacher may recommend you take some classes in order to help you improve your awareness of the subtle sensations present throughout your body.
Samma Karuna AUM meditation
Fifteen stages intense cathartic meditation inspired on Humaniversity AUM meditation and OSHO’s AUM Marathon. Three and a half hours journey of opening up to your emotions, reconnecting with your body and celebrating life. A senior teacher may recommend you take this experiential before your Vipassana retreat if your mind and current emotional state requires strong cathartic work.
Awakening class
As a school of self-realization the main concern is to help the students finding an authentic and long-lasting happiness. As a non-dogmatic, non-religious school, the aim is to help you develop your own light and wisdom. The awakening lectures are designed to provide you with a deeper understanding on what is meditation, what is Vipassana and how it can help you to be happy.
Riberthing breathwork
Rebirthing is a gentle yet powerful conscious breathing technique. It brings into awareness the unconsciously held beliefs, emotions and the relationships you have with your bodies and yourselves. By birthing with awareness you make possible to resolve, integrate and heal previously unresolved issues in your lives.
OSHO Dynamic and Osho active meditations
Active meditation created by the spiritual master OSHO. Meditative processes that uses movement and expression to lead you to stillness and meditation. A senior teacher may recommend you to take some of this meditations as part of your Pre-Vipassana retreat if you have no previous experience in meditation.
Sudarshan Kriya / Samma Karuna Aurora SoHam
Breathing is the first act of life. Within the breath is the unexplored secret of life. Sudarshan Kriya is a powerful yet simple rhythmic breathing technique that incorporates specific natural rhythms of the breath, harmonizing the body, mind and emotions.This technique eliminates stress, fatigue and negative emotions such as anger, frustration and depression. Leaving the mind calm and focused, the body energized and completely relaxed.
Daily schedule
- 07:15 - 08:20 Vipassana meditation or Osho dynamic meditation
- 08:30 - 10:30 Yoga practice
- 11:00 - 12:00 Qi Gong
- 12:00 - 14:30 Break for lunch and rest
- 14:30 - 16:00 Osho Active Meditations or Riberthing
- 16:00 - 17:30 Yoga practice
- 17:30 - 18:30 Break
- 18:30 - 20:00 Evening activity social meditation, awakening class, Atisha’s heart meditation, Sudarshan Kriya
Instructors
Ishi Thamnopoulos
Ishi is the founder and lead teacher of Samma Karuna. He has been teaching Tantra for eight years and practicing for over 12 years. He is also an experienced Vipassana meditator and creator of a number of social meditations (including Samma Karuna AUM mediation, Tree of Harmony meditation, and Shower of love mediation among others). He is a certified Taoist instructor having studied with master Mantak Chia in Tao Garden. He also has a background in dance therapy, having studied Biodanza, and the creator of BioDevelopment. Certificate: https://www.tantrafederation.org/certifications/ishi/
Aliona
Aliona started her spiritual journey 8 years ago practicing yoga and meditation. In 2012 she met her meditation and reiki Master Mika and her Guru Swamiji, founder of Om Reiki Family Trust. She spent two years helping them in Om Reiki ashrams and centers in Russia, France and India, learning different types of meditation, mind/body awareness, pranayama and healing techniques. Aliona moved to India in 2014 where she was staying with the Osho community in Pune. There she facilitating different Osho active meditations and practiced Reiki. For the last three years she has been traveling and tea
Martin
Martin Rietdijk is an experience Yoga Teacher certified on Agama Yoga. His specialities are the knowledge of the Chakra System, Pranayama and still Meditations. Martin is also co-founder of Samma Karuna and lead teacher for the Awakening Classes. Both warm-harted and meditative, Martin brings passion for living in his talks an is an example of ethical behaivour and selfless work.
Retreat location
The retreat will take place in Koh Phangan, Bangkok, Thailand. 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.
Nearby places
- Family Mart Haad Chap Phao, 100 meters
- Srithanu - 5 minutes' walk
- Thong Sala, 5 kilometers - 15 minutes' drive
Unique features
Activities
- Cycling
- Massage
- Swimming
- Swimming pool (outdoor)
General
- Air-conditioned rooms
- Beach
- Café
- Garden
- Kitchen
- Restaurant
- Yoga shala
Services
- Bicycle rental
- Free Wi-Fi
Things to do (optional)
Participants will have plenty of time available in between sessions to spend relaxing and enjoying Koh Phangan. A walk along the notoriously beautiful beaches of Koh Phangan, a swim in the turquoise ocean (the retreat center is beachfront), sunbathing under a coconut tree, or simply reading a book in a hammock are favorite past times of past detox clients.
What's included
- 5 nights accommodation
- One to one interviews with a senior teacher to guide you through the program
- Yoga class twice a day
- Daily qigong practice
- Introduction to Vipassana meditation
- OSHO Dynamic and active meditations
- Insightful lectures and exercises
- 3 Thai massage sessions
- Complementary bag and introduction booklet
- Transfer service from the pier
How to get there
Recommended Airports
URT
Surat Thani Airport
114 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by airplane
The nearest airport is in Koh Samui Airport (USM). Between Bangkok and Koh Samui, there are many daily services run by Bangkok Airways. Flying time about 50 minutes. A connecting ferry will have to be taken from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan.
From Bangkok you can also fly to Surat Thani: Air Asia flies from Bangkok to Surat Thani daily, 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 1 ½ hours. At Donsak, you need to take the Raja ferry to Koh Phangan which takes 3 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 10 hours to Donsak, the ferry port for boats going to Koh Phangan. From Donsak, the journey takes around 3 hours to Koh Phangan. Usually, the ferry is included in the price of the bus.
Arrival by ferry / boat from Koh 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 10-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 in consideration when booking the rest of your journey. Ferries arrive in Koh Phangan at Thong Sala Pier.
Arrival by train
Trains leave Bangkok several times daily, the journey time is about 12 hours. Sleeping booths are available on some services. Leaving the train at Surat Thani, the transfer is by coach or taxi from Surat Thani station to Donsak Pier takes about 1½ hours. From Donsak, the ferry journey takes 3 hours to Koh Phangan.
There are 2 companies that run luxury coach services from Bangkok to Chumphon, which takes about 6 hours. At Chumphon, you should 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 2 ½ hours.
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