8-Day Wellness and Yoga Escape on Koh Phangan

Ananda Yoga & Detox Center sits right across from Hin Kong beach in a quiet corner of Koh Phangan. The property is set in tropical gardens and looks out toward the Gulf of Thailand. The main building includes a beachfront restaurant, a saltwater pool, a herbal steam sauna, and a yoga shala where most classes happen. It's a modest, clean, and friendly place rather than a luxury resort.

Yoga is the heart of the retreat, with a schedule of styles that changes through the day. Mornings kick off with Ashtanga/Mysore (Monday to Friday) or a meditation and pranayama class at 8:00. At 9:30 there's Vinyasa Flow or Ashtanga Play, with a Yoga Basics class at 9:45 and a Vinyasa Inner Flow at 10:30 on Sundays. Afternoons have a mixed-level Vinyasa at 3:00, followed by Yin or Restorative at 4:30. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, a Sunset Power Flow at 6:00 lets you practice as the sun drops below the sea.

The instructors here are a mix of long-time teachers and younger talents, all friendly and approachable. Dr. Valerie Jeremijenko, the Director of Yoga Programming, is often around to greet you personally and teaches many of the dynamic classes and workshops. Other teachers like Bella lead aerial yoga sessions, and guest teachers cover breathwork and yin. Workshops are offered weekly when available.

A big draw for returning guests is the aerial yoga, particularly the sunset session where you're suspended in silks high above the trees, watching the sun set into the ocean. The center also runs detox programs, so you'll notice a focus on clean eating and cleansing practices around the place, even on the standard yoga retreat.

Koh Phangan is about 15 kilometers from Koh Samui and is famous for its beaches, jungle, and relaxed vibe. There are nearby activities like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, and fishing, to fill your free afternoons if you want a break from the mat.

What's included

- 7 nights accommodation - 3 vegetarian/vegan meals per day - Up to 3-4 daily yoga classes - Daily meditation/pranayama (excluding Sunday) - 1 Thai massage per night (every other day for dorm guests) - Saltwater pool and herbal steam sauna - WiFi access - Filtered drinking water, tea, and coffee throughout the day

What's not included

- Airport transfers - Travel insurance - Flights - Visa fees - Additional activities not listed - Additional spa treatments