Health and yoga retreat in Thailand

Thailand offers a lot of perspectives if you are interested in the spiritual side of yoga. Most people know yoga as a series of exercises that allow the mind and body to achieve balance. Traditionally, Hindu people from India practice yoga. It is popular in western countries as well as eastern countries. So, imagine taking part in a yoga retreat in Thailand in a stunning location. Because the conditions are ideal for relaxed meditation and yoga practice.

There are many overwhelming locations in Thailand for yoga practitioners. In the sequel of this article, I will help clarify how yoga connects body and mind. And how you, as a traveller, benefit from this for your health.

Jivaka patron god of the sick

It has long been known in Buddhism that a healthy mind and a healthy body go hand in hand. The personal physician of Gautama the Buddha was called Jivaka. Other names used are Jivako, Zhivago or Zhivaga. Jivaka is the founder of Indian Ayurveda. In Thailand, it is called Thai Traditional Medicine. The intelligent view of Jivika called holism is that a negative blockage in the body is related to the mind. And therefore with all kinds of other aspects in life or with the cosmos. Or with past lives.

Jivaka was not a disciple of Gautama the Buddha, but he was declared a deity. Because Jivaka was a healer, Buddha did not want Jivaka to submit to the strict regime imposed on the disciples. Jivaka travelled a lot, especially to Thailand. Jivaka is also the founder of Thai Massage. Worldwide many spiritual healers call Jivaka before starting a healing session. 

Yoga and holism

Yoga is closely related to holism. The holistic view says that everything is inextricably linked. A core belief is a connection between man/woman, animal, plant and spirit. Diseases in the body are rooted in the life you are living now or in a former life. Practising yoga helps you to release these negative spiritually inherited energies. This leads to an improvement in living conditions. The effect is noticeable on a mental and physical level. If you consider doing a yoga retreat in Thailand then you help to heal yourself. You understand it is bliss to improve yourself holistically.

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Enjoy a wellness vacation

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 Do healthy yoga in Thailand

What is Yoga

Yoga is becoming more and more known in the western world in the last decades. Especially known are the physical exercises called asanas. These exercises are sometimes static and sometimes dynamic. One of the reasons for the increasing popularity is that yoga contributes to better health. The idea of ​​doing asanas is to stretch the body or otherwise strain the muscles with a movement or pose. It releases energy and allows it to flow better through the body.

In the west, people know the more dynamic style of movements. The difference with sports is that yoga is more about the exercise itself. So, it is not about competition or improving performance. And in yoga, there is also more attention to spirituality and its effect on the mind.

Both Buddhists and Hindus practise different styles of yoga. And luckily, there is also more interest in yoga outside these two world religions nowadays. The most famous styles are Hatha yoga, Kundalini yoga, Power yoga and Hot yoga. But the number of yoga styles is quite extended.

Yoga is more than the asanas

Yoga distinguishes the following branches: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dhyana, Samadhi, and Dharana. Yama and Niyama are subdivided into different sections.

A core value of Buddhism is Ahimsa. All (good) Buddhists should live by this principle value. Now in practice, this will not always be possible for a lay Buddhist. However, a serious monk will have to adhere to the principle of non-violence. Meanwhile this is a way, a monk practices yoga.

So having good morals is an attitude that is formed for all of us while we practice yoga. Other formative aspects, such as not stealing or introspection or physical cleanliness, are yoga too after all. You read more about this morality in the Yoga Sutras. These Yoga Sutras were written by the famous Indian philosopher Patanjali around the second century BCE. Understanding these sutras changes your life in many ways.

Of course, it is pleasing to do yoga for your physical condition, but it is also worth knowing the more spiritual and moral side of yoga. Because if you want to improve your living conditions, just doing asanas is not enough. As yoga is more than just the asanas.

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Meditate to recharge your battery

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Join a healing bath

Doing Yoga in Thailand

Travellers interested in the spiritual side of yoga will find several all-illuminating monasteries in Thailand. In some of these monasteries, the teachers and/or students speak English. And by joining in their ascetic monastic regime, you participate in the Buddhist culture in a more authentic and ethereal way. So, this is possible for travellers too.

On the other hand, are you looking for a more relaxed vacation in a yoga resort? Because you do not want to dig into profound spiritual paths during your Thailand yoga retreat? Then there are many wellness and spa resorts where you take yoga classes in addition to health and meditation. Here the focus is sometimes more on the asanas and the more sporty approach of yoga.

Just enjoy a yoga retreat in Thailand

Thailand breathes Buddhism in everything within the culture. Everywhere you will find temples and Buddha images that evoke feelings that are very magical because it evokes profound life transcending experiences. If you’re looking for this in Thailand, it’s there. Spirituality or receptivity to religion means above all the willingness to open up to it. If you do that, yoga will also bring about the desired effect you are looking for during your challenging trip to Thailand.

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People doing yoga

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A relaxing holiday resort