Suan Sati is a yoga centre in a farming village about 40 minutes from Chiang Mai, surrounded by rice paddies. Its yoga shala floats on a pond with views of the mountains. The HeartFull retreat is its six-day programme. It’s open to all levels and built for people with different bodies, ages and injuries.
- Duration: 6 days, 5 nights, starting with a Chiang Mai pickup at 8:45am
- Practice: yoga and meditation twice a day
- Workshops: yoga, music, art, philosophy, dance or community topics
- Meals: three plant-based buffets a day
- Rooms: shared dorm or private queen en-suite for couples
The programme
On the start date you’re collected in central Chiang Mai at 8:45am. From then on there are two asana and meditation sessions a day, plus workshops in the mid-morning or evening on yoga, music, art, philosophy, dance or community. There’s plenty of slack built in, so the week never feels crammed.
Will Hardy, who founded Suan Sati, leads the meditation and is usually somewhere in the gardens. His co-founder Lisa Hardy, a former physiotherapist from Austria and E-RYT 500 teacher, teaches yoga that blends Bhakti, breath and music. Between sessions there are books, games and walks through the rice fields and down to the river.
Food and rooms
The chefs cook 100% plant-based Northern Thai food, mixed with familiar Thai dishes and some fusion. They can handle gluten-free, soy-free and nut-allergy diets. You sleep in the centre’s new adobe buildings. The two eight-bed dorms have ceiling fans and shared bathrooms nearby, and one is female-only if you ask at booking. The private queen rooms have air conditioning and an en-suite, and are priced for two. Only natural toiletries are allowed, and soap, shampoo and conditioner are provided.
Watch out: there are no ATMs near Suan Sati, and the balance is paid in cash or by bank transfer, so draw your baht in the city before the pickup.
Who it’s for
First-timers, solo travellers and people working around an injury will feel at home, and the dorm keeps it affordable. If you want an intensive teacher-level practice, this is gentler than that.
Insider Tip: pack light long-sleeved clothes and a reusable water bottle. Out among the paddies, long sleeves are the best mosquito protection.
Getting there
Chiang Mai airport is 45 minutes to an hour away. The free start-day pickup is in the city; otherwise the host can book a private car from the airport or city, paid in cash to the driver, or you can take a Grab. Booking carries little risk: the deposit stays fully refundable until the eve of the start date.
Meals & Dietary Options
Meals Included
Dietary Options
Included
- 6 days/5 nights stay in adobe accommodation
- 3x daily plant based buffet: tropical fruit, Thai food, herbal drinks
- Daily workshops on topics such as yoga, music, art, philosophy, dance, community and play
- 2x daily yoga and meditation sessions with experienced teachers
- Water, tea, coffee served throughout the day
- Welcome drink
- Transportation during the retreat
Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Flights costs
- Airport transfer
Highlights
- Teaching for all abilities, ages, injuries and limitations
- Practice presented so you can apply it in everyday life
