Celebrate the Spectacular Buddhist Lantern Festival in Beautiful Northern Thailand with Joanne and Anna Smallwood

JS
Nov 9 - 16, 2016
Group size: 5 - 25
Celebrate the Spectacular Buddhist Lantern Festival in Beautiful Northern Thailand with Joanne and Anna Smallwood
Thailand


Nov 9 - 16, 2016
Group size: 5 - 25

About this trip

From the floating yoga shala in the National Park at OM Waters to the Tree House yoga shala at Kaomai Lanna you are sure to enjoy this unique yoga experience!

We begin the retreat by unplugging and submerging ourselves in Nature with 2 nights at OM Waters, a floating Shala on a beautiful lake in Sri Lanna National Park, only an hour from Chiang Mai, Thailand.  We invite you to join us for this unique 2 night experience of Yoga, connection and community in a magical setting. With very little external distractions, our senses will be heightened and be able to absorb all that nourishes us. It’s an opportunity to clear that head space, boost your energy, laugh, play, and meet like-minded awesome people.
Early November is also an amazing time of year to be at OM Waters. Cool mornings and evenings, with warm temperatures in the daytime.
When’s the last time you jumped into a lake?  Slept under the stars? Immersed into nature? Explored A daily Yoga Practice? Or taken the opportunity for self-care?  This space has been created to nourish your soul.
 
Then we will transfer to Kaomai Lanna Resort to enjoy our last 5 nights in luxury, culture and leisure.  Spend your time by the pool nestled in the beautiful gardens, at the spa indulging in a traditional Thai massage or exploring the old city of Chiang Mai.
Kaomai Lanna Hotel and Resort is a unique boutique accommodation only 40 mins out of the busy Chiang Mai. Set on 20 acres’ natural land, surrounded by lush tropical gardens.  The rooms are renovated from the former tobacco curing barns, decorated in contemporary Lanna style with colonial style teak wood antique furniture.
Kaomai Lanna has a beautiful wooden tree house style yoga shala where we will  diving deep into our practice exploring the Pranayama, Vinyasa and Restorative Yoga practices. This is suitable to ALL levels.
The retreat culminates with the celebration of Yi Peng, (Lantern Festival), in Chiang Mai, the old capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom. This is one of those bucket list experiences, where a multitude of Lanna-style sky lanterns adorned with good luck wishes and prayers are released into the sky.

What’s included

Accommodation
First 2 nights at OM Waters has cozy comfortable camping on the houseboats
Good to know:
* There are sinks and toilets and showers at OM Waters but it is camping style. Options: creative wet wiping, sponge baths, jump in the lake!
* No alcohol or drugs permitted. If you smoke, please smoke away from the communal areas.
* No WiFi.
* Things to bring: bathing suit, towel, own water bottle to refill, bug spray, sunscreen, flashlight, layers for cool mornings/evenings.
* Unlimited drinking water will be available.
* Please note that the sleeping area will be either on bed frames or on the floor, and closed or open, depending on the number of bookings
* No yoga, meditation, or nature experience needed. All levels are welcome.
* Then we move to Kaomai Lanna where all standard accommodation is stylish and comfortable with western beds, air conditioning, shower, hot & cold water, hair dryer & teak furniture. Standard accommodation is twin share.

Food
All meals are vegetarian made with the freshest ingredients available purchased at local markets daily and prepared by our wonderful chefs.


7 days of Yoga.


Transfer to OM Waters


Transfer from OM Waters to Kaomai Lanna Resort


Cultural excursion to Ganesh museum and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Accommodation based on twin share, private rooms may be available.

 

Not included

Does not include: flights, other optional outings and activities, meals while on excursion, travel insurance, travel related expenses and any massages or treatments.  Hotels can arrange departure airport transfers, but this is at your expense.

Before You Go

Getting there and away
OM Waters is floating on a lake in Sri Lanna National Park one hour from Chiang Mai, Thailand. You must arrive in Chaing Mai by 12pm on the 9th to get your transfer to OM Waters, as you can not enter the National park at Night.  Kaomai Lanna is 25 km‚ from the Chiang Mai airport and takes about 45-60 minutes by taxi.
You can get International flight direct to Chiang Mai Airport, Thailand.  Alternatively you can fly to Bangkok and take a 1hour domestic flight to Chiang Mai.  Train or Bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes approximately 12 hours.
 
Visa
Most nationalities get a 30 days visa on arrival.  If you intend to spend longer in Thailand then we recommend you apply for a 2 months tourist visa.  Check the Thailand embassy in your country for up to date information on visas.

Available Packages

Trip Price
A$1,400

Itinerary

Vinyasa Flow Yoga Retreat in Thailand
7 nights
Sample Yoga Program 7-8 Pranayama
8-10 Asana
 Breakfast
 Free time to explore, shop, get treatments, swim and relax
 Lunch
 4-6 Afternoon restorative class or workshop or cultural excursion in Chaing Mai
 Dinner

Your Organizer


JS
Joanne Smallwood
Joanne Smallwood has been a devoted yoga practitioner since her early twenties, and has taught internationally for the past 11 years. Completing her Teacher Training in 2005 at The Downward Dog Yoga Centre in Toronto, with Ron Reid and Diane Bruni, she soon traded the infamous Canadian winters for warmer shores of India. Since 2005, Joanne has been working in Goa, India, as the general manager of Brahmani Yoga, one of the leading yoga centres in the region. This enabled her to expand her knowledge and love of yoga, her teaching, whilst allowing her to further develop her passion through courses and in her own practice. Joanne has developed a strong focus on Brahmani Style Vinyasa Flow, Prenatal and Restorative yoga.