Absolute Yin… Koh Samui

I believe in grabbing opportunities that cross my path when at all possible. This is how, with virtually no turn-around-time, I went last week from the under-funded schools and bumpy back roads of the Northwest to a luxurious ’boutique’ resort at the other end of Thailand, and how, with hill-dust still ingrained in my feet, I ended up practicing yoga surrounded by perfectly pedicured toes in blue, orange and French-tip polishes.

 Singing Bowl And Mallet

Tibetan Singing Bowl

The rest of this post is at risk of sounding like an Infomercial!

I had seen the add for the YinYoga retreat on my Facebook page, of all places, and as soon as I’d checked my diary and the instructor’s credentials, I booked myself in. We’ve been to Koh Samui many times, but never to the resort hosting the retreat. So, why not?

It wasn’t a mistake. Although Yin Yoga is a relatively new style, it is firmly grounded in age-old yoga traditions and Victor Chng, our instructor, has studied a broad range of Chinese healing practices and philosophies. As for the Absolute Sanctuary resort: what can I say? The staff were attentive, the food was heathy, tasty and colourful, and the sun was shining…

In the spacious and well-equipped Ocean View yoga room, I spent several hours a day listening to the whirr of the overhead fans, the birds, Victor’s instructions, my breathing, and the slap of swimmers’ arms against the water in the pool. It was a wonderful setting to practice self-nurture and ‘quiet’.

 

Yellow, Two-story Moroccan-style building, Absolute Sanctuary, Koh Samui

The Moroccan-Inspired Rooms at Absolute Sanctuary, Koh Samui

Thai males in pink polos; white bougainvillaea

Gardeners Keeping the Bougainvillaea Beautiful

White bougainvillaea, resort pool, Absolute Sanctuary, Koh Samui

White Bougainvillaea and Blue Pool

Sunrise in the Tropics, from a room

We've Been at Work for Hours Already: Sunrise from the Ocean View Room

Room with Yoga Mats

The Space: The "Ocean View" Room

Plant, Pool and Juice Bar, Absolute Sanctuary

The Juice Bar (View From the Yoga Studio): Healthy Drinks Only!

Anatomical Skeleton head and yoga supplies

The Studio is Equipped with Everything you could Need ~ Including an Anatomical Skeleton

Fresh buffet lunch foods

Fresh and Tasty ~ Lunch is Served!

Young Thai male Serving Som Tam

Staff Member ~ Serving Spicy Thai Som Tam

Fresh food buffet lunch

Fresh Air ~ Fresh Food

painted gel fingernails

Colourful Nails and Fresh Melon

Female hand with Full Set Gel Nails

A Full Set of Colour and Fun

Female assisting male yoga practitioner

Hazel Tsui, Yoga Teacher from Hong Kong, assists Victor Chng from Singapore in Demonstrating a Posture while Countless Cameras Look On

 

Clasped hands and a foot: yoga twist

Flower Nails in a Yoga Twist

 

Three people in Savasana (corpse) posture

Savasana: A Reward for Hard Work

Large yellow Thai Spirit House

Even the Spirits are Well Accommodated: The Spirit House ~ Absolute Sanctuary

Sign-Off-Namaste

It was a wonderful few days.  After the workshop, we spent a few days revisiting the rest of the island. More on that some other time…

In the mean time, breathe… relax… and travel well…

  • Signe Westerberg - March 11, 2011 - 4:38 am

    I”m sure no matter how long you were there, it wasn’t quite long enough, looks divine!ReplyCancel

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