Thailand

Yoga retreats and meditation are part of the intangible cultural heritage of northern Thailand. Its greenery and watercourses make it a quiet and idyllic place to recharge for a few days. The province of Chiang Mai hosts a large number of these retreats that are conducted throughout the year. Tourists come to learn relaxation poses and personal development techniques there.

Different types of retreats

In the nearby mountains of the city of Chiang Mai, there are retreats of varying lengths, ranging from three to twelve days, offering different forms of yoga and meditation activities and learning.

Short retreats:

Even for short retreats, a specific program is put in place so that you have the opportunity to explore several disciplines, each aimed at getting you back in touch with yourself.

Among the activities offered, you will generally find:

• Yoga sessions
• Meditation and mindfulness sessions
• Thai massage
• Free access to bicycles
• Provision of yoga equipment

In addition, some services are provided to make your stay more enjoyable and relaxing:

• Round-trip transfer to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)
• Accommodation for the nights
• Breakfasts

Regarding meals, some retreat organizations cover them, while others do not. It is more common to have meals included for longer stays (more than 5 days).
In each retreat center, you will have the option to choose vegetarian or vegan dishes.

Long retreats:

Like short retreats, longer retreats offer a slightly more developed diversity of activities but, above all, many more hours of classes than short retreats.

• More yoga classes
• Numerous indoor and outdoor meditation sessions
• Massages and spa sessions
• Initiations into several styles of yoga: hatha, yin, restorative, and nidra
• Visits to temples and the discovery of Chiang Mai and/or Pai
• Depending on the season, participation in events such as the Festival of Lights or the Flower Festival in Chiang Mai.

In terms of services, you will find the same accommodations as for shorter retreats.

Things to know

Some aspects of these retreats may be worth considering and may influence your choice:

• Some retreats only offer vegetarian meals.
• Depending on your choice of retreat, you may only practice one style of yoga and thus not be introduced to all other styles.
• Remember to bring bath towels, as toiletries are not always provided.
• Some establishments only accommodate one group at a time, while others, usually larger ones, accommodate several groups at once. So, depending on the retreat, you may find yourself with people you do not know who will participate in yoga classes with you.