Yoga on Koh Phi Phi in Thailand
The sand had to be swept off the platform before we could put the mats down.
Keira Coleman sweeping sand off the beach yoga platform By Sonja Bjelland
With the sun setting and looking out on the boats moored in Ton Sai Bay we began sun salutations.
Keiritas Yoga holds some yoga classes at the quieter end of Koh Phi Phi in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Thailand. A 10-minute walk from the main pier and town area, Mama’s Beach Residence faces the boat traffic and I tried to subdue my envy of the sailors calling this port home for the night.
The bobbing lights from the boats did make it difficult to find a steady spot to look at during balance poses though. Or maybe it was the sea breeze that was knocking me around. Not my best balance day. But well worth it to look up at Orion while easing into my shoulder stand after the sun had set.
Ton Sai Bay Koh Phi Phi Thailand By Sonja Bjelland
With my schedule, I only had one night to stay and do yoga on Koh Phi Phi and that left me taking the once-a-week intermediate/advanced class on Sunday. My travel schedule and my will power prevent me from challenging myself like that regularly and I struggled toward the end. But I’m less sore than expected.
I’m always amazed to see some of the poses advanced yogis can do and Keira Coleman demonstrated what it really looks like to go from a handstand to plank pose with full body control.
Scuba instructor by day, she also explaind every pose and has that Kindergarten-teacher quality to her voice that makes you believe you really could do that. The 400 Bhat class (about $13 US) runs for at minimum 75 minutes everyday, all year long, at 6 p.m. Some days of the week classes are instead held at the Banyan Villa Hotel and other teachers may be brought in during the off season.
My Ya Bay, Thailand, and the tourists By Sonja Bjelland
This class proved the highlight of my brief time on Koh Phi Phi. Being the height of season made finding accommodation tougher than anywhere else I’ve been and that drove up prices significantly. It was also crowded with drunk kids and the partying raged well after even I went to bed.
But I did get to see the famed Ma Ya Bay where The Beach was filmed. I’m sure it was nice before that brought hordes of tourists.
