6 Day Suan Sati Rejuvenating Yoga Retreat for Heart, Mind, and Soul in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Yoga Retreat in Thailand
Expert tip: This is one of the most popular yoga retreats offered in Thailand.
Suan Sati hosts this yoga and meditation retreat in Chiang Mai at their yoga retreat center from May to September. With their guest house style retreats, you can choose which day you arrive and depart. They offer guests the opportunity to come and join their family for a yoga retreat.
Highlights
- 6 days of practice
- 2 yoga and meditation classes per day
- 1 morning or night workshop daily
- 5 nights accommodation
- Daily meals
- Peaceful surroundings
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Yoga styles
Accommodation
Facilities
- Dining area
- Environmentally friendly
- Garden
- Multilingual staff
- Yoga shala
- Library
The accommodation at Suan Sati is simple yet comfortable, perfect for yogis. It is made from earth bricks and other natural materials. You have the choice of either one of two dorms and a shared roundhouse for two. The dorms have shared toilets and hot water showers located close by, while the shared roundhouse has ensuite bathrooms attached.
Commitment to sustainability
When designing this center, Suan Sati asked themselves and the land how they could create a space that is harmoniously integrated into the natural ecology. Some sustainability elements of Suan Sati were significantly more time consuming, more expensive, or frankly not as effective when compared to conventional methods.
Nonetheless, they believe that it is their duty to coexist within nature’s perfect framework rather than dominating it for their gain.
Furthermore, they strive to leave this planet better than they found it. That is a lofty and idealistic goal, and they don’t always get it right. However, that doesn’t stop them from experimenting with both new and proven methods to show that a different way is possible. Below are a few highlights of their sustainability systems.
Solar power
Suan Sati runs on solar power. This is still a developing and uncommon technology in Thailand, and they are proud be on the forefront of this movement.
Water conservation
Water is life, simply put. Suan Sati captures rain water in their ponds during rainy season, and rely on well water during dry season. They conserve water with a clever dishwashing station where water is reused twice before being recycled into their garden. Their shower water also runs into their fields, hence why they ask that guests only bring natural hygiene products.
Growing food
Being self-reliant on food assures that you can control the process from seed to plate. Suan Sati's garden is strictly organic, with no chemical pesticides or fertilizers allowed. Their vegetables might not be as big or shiny as the ones in the supermarket, but you can bet that your tongue and your stomach will appreciate the upgrade.
Natural building
You wouldn’t notice it unless someone points it out, but almost every building at Suan Sati is constructed with mud bricks. This building style eliminates many toxic materials from their structures that are present in more conventional styles.
A mud brick home can be comfortable, durable, stylish, and environmentally friendly. In fact, you probably won’t even know the difference!
Yoga shala
The yoga shala is the centerpiece of Suan Sati's retreat center. It is where they come together as a community to sing, dance, laugh, cry, play, reflect, and build deep connections with themselves and others. It is their sacred place, and they invite you to honor your sacred nature in this breathtaking space.
When they dreamed up designs for the shala, they knew that they wanted to model it after a Thai temple. This is a fitting homage to both the local architectural style and to the feelings of peace and contentment that one can experience inside these sacred spaces.
The shala is made entirely from recycled teak wood responsibly sourced from local villages. Practicing on hundred year old wood floors while gazing out at the sun dipping over the mountains leaves a long lasting impression on your heart.
Program
The schedule features twice daily yoga and meditation sessions, daily workshops on a wide range of topics, and plenty of time to relax and unwind. At Suan Sati, you will be supported by a community of diverse yet like-minded people dedicated to self-discovery.
Suan Sati welcomes those who are new to yoga and meditation as well as those who have an established practice and want to deepen their understanding. Whether you are new to meditation and yoga or a seasoned practitioner, they have got something for you.
Daily meditation and yoga program
You will practice breath awareness (anapanasati) as a meditation practice, but you are welcome to practice in your own personal style that suits yourself. Simple, grounded guidance and spiritual teachings are offered to support this meditation practice and also the practice of life.
For yoga, generally, the morning practice is dynamic and invigorating, varying between Hatha and Vinyasa with other elements mixed in. The afternoon practice is generally a gentle slow flow, Restorative or Yin style, designed to be meditative and balance the morning class.
Beginner yogis, as well as experienced practitioners, are welcome. Suan Sati's teaching style integrates all students in multi-level classes. Teachers offer options for those with injuries and limitations, and also for those who want to build fire while taking their practice to the next level.
It is important to note that you will spend more time on yoga than on meditation and that this is not a replacement for a dedicated silent meditation retreat. Please also be advised that meditation success is not guaranteed in just a few short days.
Daily workshops
During the standard daily schedule, Suan Sati holds workshops at least once daily either after breakfast or after dinner. These vary every day but can be on meditation, yoga, art, music, creative writing, dance, discussion, gardening, and much more.
Daily standard schedule
- 05:30 Rise and shine
- 06:00 - 08:15 Morning meditation and yoga
- 08:45 Breakfast
- 13:00 Lunch
- 16:00 - 17:30 Afternoon meditation and yoga
- 18:00 Dinner
The schedule is subject to change. All times are approximate.
Retreat location
This retreat center is located 40 minutes outside of Chiang Mai, nestled in the foothills of Northern Thailand's mountains.
Distances
Chiang Mai - 40 minutes
Features
Activities
- Art classes
- Cooking classes
- Massage
- Shopping
General
- Dining area
- Environmentally friendly
- Garden
- Hammock
- Kitchen
- Lake
- Luggage room / storage
- Special menu request
- Yoga studio
Services
- Free bicycle
- Free Wi-Fi
- Library
- Local market
- Meeting room
- Mosquito net
- Tour assistance
Food
You will be served three plant-based meals per day, included in the price. Food will be Thai classics with some Western favorites mixed in, along with a hearty breakfast of superfoods to start your day off right.
Suan Sati's food philosophy is simple: they only serve fresh, whole foods, plant-based (vegan) meals prepared with mostly organic vegetables sourced locally or grown in their garden. It’s refreshing to have control over exactly what goes into your food and into your body, and they invite you to peek into their open air kitchen to see the process.
They minimize their use of processed foods, preferring to make most things by hand, the traditional way. This takes a little bit more time, but it adds a lot of extra love to the food that they prepare, and you will be able to taste the difference.
The menu is always changing, but you can expect a typical breakfast to include a “make your own” breakfast bowl of locally grown seasonal fresh fruit, chia seed pudding, and soaked oatmeal packed with an assortment of nutrient dense superfoods like chia seeds, cashews, goji berries, flaxseed, psyllium husk, muesli, and coconut milk.
You'll have all this as well as locally grown gourmet coffee and tea to make sure that you’re wide awake after that deep savasana. Lunch at Suan Sati is a light affair, with a salad bar, raw and cooked Thai dishes, soups, and the occasional dessert.
Dinners feature plenty of Thai food like stir fry and curry, Northern Thai delicacies, fusion favorites, and some special surprises. A constantly rotating menu ensures that you never want to miss what the chef is whipping up.
If you have any specific food allergies or concerns, please contact them and they will do their best to accommodate you. They are familiar with common food allergies and gluten intolerance, so book with confidence knowing that their chef knows how to cook for you.
Suan Sati's garden
Their garden is over half an acre and completely organic. That means there are no chemicals and no genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Their crops are always rotating, but they regularly grow a variety of salad greens, kale, tomatoes, cucumbers, chilies, galangal, turmeric, beans, sprouts, and pumpkins in their garden, which is only a few meters from the kitchen. Farm to table has a very literal meaning at Suan Sati.
Suan Sati's chef
Their chef Pee Bow enjoys using the kitchen as her playground for experimenting with local Northern Thai favorites, fusion dishes, and desserts. The flavors coming out of her kitchen will make you rethink the notion that food this healthy can’t possibly taste this good.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Organic
- Whole food
- Other dietary requirements on request
What's included
- Entire meditation and yoga program
- 5 nights accommodation
- 3 plant-based meals per day
What's not included
- Toiletries
- Special desserts
- Apparel
- Private one-on-one sessions
- Transportation
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Chiang Mai International Airport
25 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flights to arrive at Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX).
Arrival by car (Grab or private driver)
If you have a sim card, you can use the Grab app and type in “Suan Sati Yoga Retreat.” Please contact Suan Sati for directions in Thai that you can show to the driver. Sometimes Google Maps sends drivers down the wrong road, creating a 20-minute detour, so stick to the directions they will give.
Alternatively, they can arrange to have a private driver pick you or your group up from anywhere in central Chiang Mai for 600 THB.
Arrival by car or motorbike
If you’d like to drive your own car or motorbike out there, they’re only 20 short kilometers from town. Google Maps’ directions sometimes send you down the wrong road when you’re almost there, so set your GPS to Malei Cafe first, then Suan Sati from there.
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.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookYogaRetreats.com. All major credit cards supported.