Koh Mak Retreat: January 3-28 2023
Ashtanga Yoga Asana, Pranayama, Meditation, Yoga Philosophy, Thai Vegan-Vegetarian Meals, Thai Massage, Swimming, Diving, Snorkeling, Paddle boarding, Sun bathing…in a relaxed and warm environment.
Mornings include Mysore-style Ashtanga asana practice, guided beginner’s classes, and kid’s yoga (twice a week if there will be enough children). Afternoons are filled with thorough technical analysis, in-depth discussions and extra workshops. Pranayama, relaxation and meditation sessions are offered in the evenings.
The retreat is designed for yoga practitioners of all levels.
You will be guided safely by Petri Räisänen and Wambui Njuguna-Räisänen
The program and prices
Registration and bookings
In 2023 retreat the Yoga classes and accommodation + meals will be paid separately.
Yoga classes and extra classes will be paid to Petri’s and Wambui’s company. We will give you the bank details after your booking.
Accommodation + meals will be paid to Koh Mak Resort or Seavana Resort (“our resorts”) or if you are staying at another resort, then to that resort.
Petri is holding the student & accommodation list for Koh Mak Resort or Seavana Resort and you can first check with him the available rooms..then book the room through Koh Mak Resort or Seavana Resort. First email to Petri (praisanen@yahoo.com) to check the rooms availability and then email to Koh Mak Resort or Seavana Resort and tell your room number and standard.
Koh Mak Resort email: info@kohmakresort.com
Seavana Resort email: stay@seavanaresort.com
For Drop-In students who will stay in another resorts, we have a page where you can find more information.
Drop-In Yoga for minimum one week is required (6 practice days). More info about the Drop-In Yoga.
The class description
Basic Yoga includes Yoga each morning from Sunday to Friday (on the first week Tuesday to Friday), as well as all the classes in our Basic schedule (check the schedule page). On the third and fourth weeks there will be a special Vipassana meditation classes by Ricardo Martin and Joy Phrombut which is part of the Basic Yoga program.
Additional workshops
Petri Raisanen’s Energy Healing Workshop on the first and second weeks and Petri’s Hands on Adjustments Workshop on the third and fourth weeks. 200€/week.
Always Already There: Equity and Justice in the Yoga Sutras. Through this workshop series, Ro Averin will guide participants through a grounding look at what role yogic practice has to play in struggles for equity and justice, and how principles of, and commentary on, equity and justice have always been present in the yoga sutras and yogic philosophy. This offering will be online via zoom and available for retreat participants as well as whoever wishes to join in separately. More info: Additional workshops. 125€/week
Miss Nhong’s Thai Massage/Healing workshop. Miss Nhong is a local Healer who has a great understanding about the body, energy and traditional Thai healing methods. There will be 5 minimum two hour classes (usually 2.5-3 hours) on the third week (Jan 16-21 Monday till Saturday). Most of the classes will be held at Miss Nhong’s Healing centre. Highly recommended if you are interested about healing, therapy and Thai tradition. 8000 Thai Bhat (to be paid to the teacher in cash). More info about the Additional workshops.
Beginners Yoga: We offer two guided Ashtanga classes for beginners at the start of the week (on Sundays and Mondays). Note that the first week will start on Tuesday and Wednesday. Beginners can then join in to the Mysore style (self-practice) classes from Tuesday onwards until Thursday. Friday is guided primary series or half primary series for all who wish to practice a led class.
Saturdays – REST DAY! There is no yoga class on Saturday. You are invited to rest and integrate all the teachings from the previous week. Alternatively, you can volunteer your time with the Trash Hero program and help with island/beach clean up by picking up the trash.
Wednesdays – TRIP DAY! We arrange a trip day during weeks 2,3 and 4. After practice in the morning, you can join in on a day trip. Previous destinations have been to Koh Chiang waterfall and White Sand Beach, Koh Kood holy tree and waterfall, Buddhist monasteries and Beach resort ; Trat temple and shopping tour. You can also arrange your own program and join us in the evening for a yoga/spiritual film.
Moondays – We will inform when the full and/or new moon lands during the retreat. You have the option to practice in the Mysore room or attend a Restorative yoga class.
The prices will stay about the same as we have below in 2021 information! Please do not register through this website before everything is ready.
We are looking forward for seeing you in Koh Mak Retreat 2023.
Welcome to Koh Mak, Thailand!
Petri and Wambui
Koh Mak 2021 Flyer KohMak2021 NEW_A6
Teaching Method
In an effort to reduce harm caused by cultural appropriation and erasure of South Asian lineage, we follow the Ashtanga Vinyasa system as taught by T. Krishnamacharya and K. Pattabhi Jois. We do, however, center each individual practitioner and their unique needs and capabilities. We do not follow a dogmatic, ‘one size fits all’ approach to the method. Our aim is for healing, both the physical and spiritual; acceptance and freedom.
We’re open to discussing your individual Ashtanga practice and find the way how the method can be accessed for your needs. Please feel open to sharing with us anything which can affect your practice at the moment (i.e. injuries, childbirth, etc).
Physical Adjustments & Consent
We practice asking for permission before physically adjusting you in the asanas as consent is essential. If you’re happier not to be physically adjusted during your asana practice, we respect this choice as well. We will check in on a regular basis regarding consent to being physically adjusted. Some days you may want to be adjusted and other days not, and we welcome this. Feel free to be yourself and find your own way to practice Ashtanga. We are here to help you in your yoga process.
Our Why Behind What We Do
We believe the practice of Yoga can heal the world, both on and off the mat. We believe Yoga contains the wisdom for both individual self- transformation and collective, societal progress. In this spirit, we are survivor-centric and survivor-oriented, and abuse, sexual assault, and discrimination will not be tolerated. We recognize our aspiration for our yoga spaces to feel welcoming and warm for anyone who wishes to take practice. We continually contemplate how we can make our yoga spaces safer, welcome and more accessible to all, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, caste, sexual identity, class, age, nationality, immigrant status, disability etc. Our workshop follows safer space guidelines.
RETREAT ACCOMMODATION AT KOH MAK RESORT AND SEAVANA RESORT
The retreat accommodation will be on two resorts next to each other. Koh Mak Resort (B-type and F-type) and Savanna Resort (T-type, S-type, J-type and V-type). Both resorts has swimming pool, sun bathing beds and restaurant. Yoga shala is located just on the Koh Mak resort’s side. These two resorts used to be one and the same resort (got split in 2013) and there is no difference in distances to the Yoga shala. Yoga students are allowed to use both resorts pools and restaurants.
KOH MAK RESORT ROOMS
Comfort Beachfront, Twin bed (B-type). B7, B8, B11 and B12
Wooden bungalows built in 2000 and re-modeled in 2015. Air conditioning, hot water, cable TV, minibar and refrigerator are included. Extra bed available for some rooms.
You can make a reservation for one bed (A or B) if you are traveling alone. We will find you a roommate if you don’t have someone in your mind who would attend for the retreat with you. In that case we will book the rooms for two female students or for two male students.
Located by the beach and about 50 meters from the swimming pool and Yoga shala – terrace with an excellent sea view!
Comfort Beach, Double Bed (B-type) B4, B5 and B6
Built in 2006 and re-modeled in 2015. Air conditioning, hot water, cable TV, minibar and refrigerator are included. Suitable for couples or good friends. Extra bed available for some rooms.
Located by the beach and about 50-100 meters from the swimming pool and Yoga shala – terrace with an excellent sea view!
Family Deluxe Up (double bed) & Down (triple bed) (F-type) F2 and F3
Newish (2012), western-style two floor “family house” with hot water, cable TV, A/C, minibar and refrigerator are included. They are sold as a two separate units (Up or Down) or as a one unit. Both units has own entrances and privacy.
If you are coming with the family or group of yogi friends and would like to have both floors, please contact us and we can check the prices for you.
Down room is an ideal option for a family with a small children as the front yard is on the same level with a terrace and there is no stairs to fall down : )
Family Deluxe houses are located about 20 meters from the swimming pool and 50 meters from the beach and Yoga shala. A great sea and front yard view and a new swimming pool just 20 meters away!
Family Deluxe, Up has one king size bed and is suitable for couples or good friends. Big private terrace with sun- bathing chairs. Beautiful sea and front yard view with lots of light from the second floor windows and refreshing wind. It could nicely work as a honey moon suite : ) No extra bed available (if not a baby cot).
Family Deluxe, Down for 2 or 3 people
Family Deluxe Down for 2 people has three comfortable mattresses on the platform. It is very comfortable for two people and has a great ground level private outdoor terrace, comfortable chairs, front yard and TV level. TV is located on the outdoor terrace, but indoor viewing can be arranged.
Family Deluxe Down for 3 people (is same room as for 2 people) If you are not a family with one or two children it is better that you know each others before and decide to stay together in one room. Many people has loved it, but it is too tight (Petri’s opinion) for three people unfamiliar to each others.
For Family Deluxe Down for families with 1 child..Check the rate for 2 persons. The third person charge is 500 THB/night (age 11 yrs+), 300 THB/night (child 5-10 yrs) and 0-4 yrs FREE.
No extra bed available (if not a baby cot).
Retreat info, prices and how to pay
SEAVANA RESORT
Seavana Deluxe Beach, Twin bed (T-type) T1, T2, T3, T4 & T5
Newish twin bungalows built at the end of 2012. Air conditioning, hot water, cable TV, minibar and refrigerator are included. Two queen size beds on a spacious platform. Both indoor and outdoor showers. Lots of bathroom space and extra room for clothes. No extra bed available (if not a baby cot or extra mattress for the children). Good for the families with 1 or 2 children. Large terrace with great sea view! Yoga shala just 20-100 meters walk away.
Seavana Suite Beach, Double Bed (S-type) S6
Built in 2007 and renovated in 2017. This group of wooden/stone bungalows (Japanese style) have separate private gardens and outdoor showers. It has Private roof terrace with sun- bathing chairs and an amazing sea view. Equipped with air conditioning, hot water, cable TV, minibar and refrigerator are included. S-type is close to the beautiful sea-view swimming pool. Two minutes walk to the Yoga shala. Suitable for couples, good friends or small family (with one child). It could nicely work as a honey moon suite : )
Located by the beach – excellent sea view!
Jacuzzi Balcony Seaview Up and Superior Seaview Down (J-type Up & V-type Down) J1 & V4
Newish luxury houses/bungalows built in 2012 by the small canal. Jacuzzi houses has two separate floors with their own entrances and privacy. They are sold as a two separate units (Up = J-type or Down = V-type) or as one unit. Both floors has one bedroom with a double king-size bed. An outdoor rain shower and Whirlpool Jacuzzi are available only for Upstairs unit. Downstairs unit has a spacious private front yard. Houses are located close to the sea view swimming pools and about 100 meters from the beach. Jacuzzi bungalows are 3-5 minutes walk from the Yoga shala and dining area.
If you are coming with the family or group of friends and would like to have both floors, please contact us and we can check the prices.
Jacuzzi Balcony Seaview Up, Double Bed (J-type) J1
This is a second floor luxurious unit with an outdoor rain shower and indoor bathroom. Private whirlpool Jacuzzi with sun bathing terrace. Individually- controlled A/C, satellite TV, minibar and refrigerator are included. Great accommodation for couples or good friends. About 100 meters to the beach and 5-minute walk to the Yoga shala and dining area. Sea and canal view.
Superior Seaview Down, Double Bed (V-type) V4
The ground floor unit has terrace with own garden. Individually- controlled A/C, satellite TV, minibar and refrigerator are included. Houses are located very close to the newly-built sea view swimming pool. Great accommodation for couples or good friends. About 100 meters to the beach and 5-minute walk to the Yoga shala and dining area. Sea and canal view.
Retreat info, prices and how to pay
Occupied
Group Trip from Bangkok to Koh Mak on Tuesday Jan 3 at 07:30 am
Group Trip with fellow Yogis: We will travel from Bangkok to Koh Mak on Monday, January 3th. A private bus for from Bangkok (meeting at Narai Hotel, Bangkok, 222 Silom Road, phone +66 2 237 0100) to Trat and a Catamaran boat from Trat to Koh Mak Resort will cost 65 €. Please let us know if you choose the group trip as your transportation option to Koh Mak resort. Available only during the first week (Saturday, January 6th). If you will travel to Koh Mak by yourself, please check these information, and you’ll find many good tips for your trip.
Group trip will be paid to Maailmanparantaja’s account with the yoga payment or by cash in the bus.