One reason I got into yoga after my college swimming days wrapped, is it was something I could do anywhere in the world at any time. I have done yoga next to tour busses in parking lots and in the middle of town squares in England.
When the i/smart phone was invented (Thanks Steve!), to me the maps app was basically a yoga class finder. No matter where I am in the world, it has been generally easy to find a yoga class. This is one of my favorite things to do while traveling as it's an interesting way to integrate to the local culture. Last year I took classes in French, Portuguese, Spanish and assimilated into the business crowd for an express class in Brisbane; to name a few.
I figured it might be helpful to the yoga community to provide reviews of these global studios, so here is my first attempt. Will try and keep it up!
My first review is of the daily 8:30 AM class at Health Oasis in Koh Samui, Thailand.
I was told by my Airbnb host that there was a studio within walking distance, and this turned out to be it. Instant bonus points for the studio having the same name as my favorite band as well as a Nirvana Nevermind baby parody for it's logo. However, it was difficult to locate the class times and price (250 THB / about $7.50 USD) on the website. Note that this resort is a general health center for detox, fasting, cleansing and weight loss; so to be fair, it's not solely a yoga studio.
Health Oasis offers one 1-hour yoga class a day, every day at 8:30 AM. This is awesome in theory, but I was working U.S. business hours this week and therefore only made it to two classes.
The class was great. I thought the teacher led a nice balance of relatively advanced and vigorous vinyasa intertwined with solid options for the beginners. Kudos to the resort's residents who were fasting and doing a yoga class! I would probably pass out if I were in that category.
The major win for this class / studio is that it faces the ocean. The class would really have to suck for me to give it anything less than a 4 star review for this alone. The temperature in Koh Samui in January is pretty much perfect in general and I can't imagine a more ideal setting to practice in.
I *almost* knocked the review down to 3.5 stars as when the instructor was advising we make some punching motions that aren't really traditional asana ala Tae Bo, he repeatedly told us to not punch like a "ladyman." This example didn't make any sense considering I am in better shape than all but one guy in the class (who looked like a Marine). It wouldn't be cool to say we shouldn't punch the air like a "flabbyman" either, but come on. I did approach the instructor after class to nicely let him know that the term "ladyman" is offensive and probably not a good term to use. I thanked him for the class however, as at the end of the day; it's a great class and even after an hour, I was feeling the prana. A solid hour class can be a difficult balance to teach and Health Oasis does the job.
Thus, I give Health Oasis' 8:30 AM daily beach yoga class (taught on a platform, not on sand) - 4 out of 5 stars.
Check it: http://www.healthoasisresort.com/koh.php
Next up! An attempt to put into words my 8 day silent vipassana retreat at my favorite place in the world: Jungle Yoga in Khao Sok National Park.
Till Then,
@EmWizzle xo
