Stories May 7, 2020
Stand Up Paddleboarding and SUP Yoga in Thailand
SUP Yoga is an increasingly popular outdoor activity that combines yoga with Stand-Up Paddle Boarding (SUP), which combines the balance and mindfulness required for the practice of yoga with the core strength required for SUP. The yoga positions suitable for SUP Yoga include basic yoga poses, such as Table Top (increasing the body balance and warm-up), Chair (strengthening the torso and legs), Butterfly (opening the hips and inner upper legs), Downward Dog (stretching the backbone), Warrior (balancing the body), Boat (strengthening the abdomen and torso), Crescent Lunge (stretching the hips and upper-leg muscles, Thread the Needle (stretching the shoulders and backbone), Garland (stretching the back and hips, and Savasana (final relaxing pose).
1. SUP Station Thailand
SUP Paddle Club and Marina is located by the Chao Phraya River in Tambon Bang Luang, Amphoe Mueang Pathum Thani, Pathum Thani. There is a riverside reception area for SUP practitioners and rental equipment is available for those requiring it. Bookings can be made on the Sup Station Thailand Facebook page.
Tel. 09 0985 1177
facebook.com/supstationthailand
2. Taco Lake: Km 13 Bang Na
Taco Lake is a cable wake park which also provides SUP Yoga classes. It is located 20 minutes from Bangna Junction & Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Address: 175/1 Km 13, Bang Na – Trat Road, Tambon Bang Phli Yai, Amphoe Bang Phli, Samut Prakan 10540.
3. Paddle Phuket
Paddle Phuket run SUP tours, lessons and SUP Yoga classes in various locations around Phuket. Phuket’s diverse landscape provides something for everyone. Challenge yourself by heading out and around one of the numerous islands or opt for a more relaxing option and stick to the calm waters of a local river.
Tel: (+66) 848891278
Address: 29/22 Moo 2, Koh Kaew, A. Muang, Phuket, 83000
[email protected]
paddlephuket.com
4. iSUP Samui
iSUP Samui is operated and instructed by the Australian couple Tammy and Ian, offering SUP tours, lessons and SUP Yoga classes in Koh Samui. Their Sunrise and Sunset SUP tours are suitable for all levels of ability including beginners.
Tel. 09 2737 9705
Address: 8/53 Mu 5, Bo Phut, Ko Samui, Surat Thani 84320
[email protected]
isupsamui.com
Meditation Centres in Thailand
Thailand has long been famous for its wellness retreats, with many throughout the kingdom offering a peaceful retreat and expert practitioners, enabling guests to learn about yoga, meditation and mindfulness.
Wat Ram Poeng, Northern Thailand
The Northern Insight Meditation Centre of Wat Ram Poeng is nestled in the woods, in a secluded location on the outskirts of Chiang Mai’s Old City. The Vipassana retreat has attracted a worldwide reputation, with many visitors now enrolling each year in search of enlightenment. Phra Ajahn Suphan, the Abbot of Wat Ram Poeng, refers to the centre’s practice in his introduction booklet as mental development, rather than enlightenment.
Program
- Intensive Vipassana meditation based on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. Mahasi Sayadaw techniques are used.
Address: Tambol Suthep, Ampur Muang | Northern Insight Meditation Center, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Tel: (+66) 5327 8620
E-mail: [email protected]
Wat Pah Nanachat
Wat Pah Nanachat is a Buddhist monastery in Northeast Thailand, in the Theravada Forest Tradition. It was established in 1975 by Ven. Ajahn Chah (1918-1992) as a branch monastery, close to his own traditional forest monastery, Wat Nong Pah Pong, in Ubon Rachathani province. An American disciple, Ven. Ajahn Sumedho, was invited to lead the community as the first abbot. The monastery aims to provide English-speaking people the opportunity to train and practice the simple and peaceful lifestyle that the Buddha taught his monks in the forests over 2500 years ago.
Program
- Chanting and meditation
- Short daily Dhamma teaching (“Ovada”)
Address: Ban Bung Wai, Warin Chamrap, Ubon Ratchathani, 34310 Thailand
Website: watpahnanachat.org
Wat Suan Mokkn International Dharma Hermitage
The Suan Mokkh International Dharma Hermitage was founded by the Venerable Ajahn Buddhadasa in 1989. Since then over 25,000 people, visiting from all over the world, have participated in the monthly meditation retreats here.
The retreats allow participants to withdraw from everyday activities into a quiet and secluded place and devote time to study, contemplation and meditation. A minimum 10-day stay is required as the retreats are designed to cover this period of time.
Program
- Meditation instruction & Sitting meditation
- Yoga / Exercise – Mindfulness in motion
- Dhamma talk
- Walking or standing meditation
Address: Amphoe Chaiya, Surat Thani, 84110 Thailand
Website: suanmokkh-idh.org
The Kamalaya
With an emphasis on personal well-being and inner health, guests at Kamalaya begin their experience with a personal consultation and a BIA (Bio Impedance Analysis). Once each guest’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs are identified, a personal Kamalaya wellness practitioner will help choose the most appropriate mix of therapies and treatments.
Daily holistic fitness classes are also offered in pilates, yoga, chi gong, tai chi, meditation and fitness, which are complimentary for all guests.
Program
- Yoga
- Healthy Lifestyle
- Detox
- Stress & Burnout
- Emotional Balance
Address: 02/9 Moo 3, Laem Set Road, Na-Muang, Koh Samui, Suratthani, 84140,
Tel: (+66) 7742 9800
Website: kamalaya.com/wellness-retreats.htm
A Guide to Thailand’s Spas
Thailand is known as being as one of the world’s top spa destinations, every year, thousands of travellers visit Thailand in pursuit of pampering and relaxation. The kingdom has a long and impressive history of traditional massage, a therapeutic practice with origins in Chinese and Indian medicine. Many Thai people regularly use massage as part of their general health regime.
Divana Scentuara Spa has a distinctive massage program called “The Exquisite Romance of Siamese Rose”. Roses are used as the main spa ingredient in every spa treatment, mixed with anti-aging ingredients including honey, collagen, salt, Tanaka, and pink Himalayan salt to nourish the skin.
Address: 16/15 Soi Somkhit, Phloen Chit Road, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330
[email protected]
Tel. 0 2661 6784
Kashikiri Onsen and Spa is a Japanese-style spa in the Sukhumvit area. The onsen uses three types of mineral water, the most outstanding one is soda onsen, which helps stimulate blood circulation and lower blood pressure while revitalising the skin.
Address: 84 Soi Sukhumvit 49, Khlong Tan Nuea, Vadhana, Bangkok 10110
[email protected]
Tel. 0 2258 7902, 08 1268 4624
kashikirionsenandspa.com
THANN Wellness Destination is a luxury spa resort surrounded by lush landscaped gardens on a 10-acre property in the Bangsai district in Ayutthaya, old capital of Thailand with a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Resort guests are able to choose from a wide array of treatments, with resort packages including a 90-minute spa treatment each day of their stay. Aqua exercise is one of the popular activities in the resort’s three therapy pools with views of the Noi River.
Address: 1 Mu 5, Tambon Krachaeng, Bang Sai, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13190
[email protected]
Tel. 0 3591 0910
thannwellness.com
