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.

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’.

 

 

 

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…