Yoga dates back to the Vedic period in India at least 5,000 years ago which was a significant period of cultural and spiritual development. The word `Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘yuj’ which means to merge or unite. Yoga is based on the concept that the body and breath are intimately connected with the mind. By controlling breathing and holding the body in steady postures, known in yogic terms as ‘Asanas’, stagnant energy centres open up, contributing to better physical health, mental peace and well-being. Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years in South Asia as a beneficial complement to Ayurvedic medicine and healing. Ayurveda and Yoga come from the same philosophical background and examines the mind– body relationship from the perspective of maintenance of health and the treatment of disease. Today, people are turning to yoga for many reasons from stress management to maintaining optimum levels of health and well-being.

There are a growing number of guesthouses, hotels and retreats offering Yoga in Sri Lanka. However, some of our clients prefer private tuition and we are happy to organise this. Our ability to do this depends on the availability of teachers. The easiest area to do this is around Galle, but private yoga teachers can also be employed in Bentota and Tangalle. We do not charge for this service and you would need to pay your Yoga teacher direct.

We have designed a few yoga-focused holidays with each providing a week’s stay in one of the wellness retreats around the island in addition to another nine to ten days of holiday that allows the traveler to experience Sri Lanka’s most beautiful and tranquil landscapes – from the cultural triangle to the southwest. Each provides a personal journey of inner peace: Yoga to create inner balance between mind and body; Meditation to improve your concentration; and an option of benefiting from Ayurveda, an ancient holistic approach to life, good health, and healing. As always, we will be happy to tinker with these set itineraries to design the perfect holiday for you.

Most eco-retreats and hotels offer Yoga as an integral part of a holistic approach to wellness along with guided meditation and Ayurveda. Ulpotha, situated near Anuradhapura within the North Central province, Has the most detailed Yoga programmes, conducted over a period of two weeks by local and international instructors. Classes are conducted in an open-sided building with a leaf-thatched roof or in the cool shade of a Banyan tree. Other properties offering Yoga on a daily basis including Amangalla, which lies within the Galle’s Dutch Fort, and Baryberyn Ayurveda Beach Resort where Yoga is conducted within tranquil surroundings at the edge of the sea.

Health & well being retreat at Kahanda Kanda (18-24 October 2010)

Kahanda Kanda is offering a week's luxurious wellness retreat led by Australia’s most innovative nutritionist and wellbeing specialist, Samantha Gowing of Gowings Food Health Wealth, who returns to Galle to take you on a motivational journey for the mind, body and spirit.   With over 25 years experience in the business Samantha, formerly an award-winning restaurateur, learnt her most recent lessons working in private practice as a therapeutic chef and clinical nutritionist, and at premiere health and spa retreats.  Samantha encourages the pursuit of optimal health utilising motivational mindset techniques, meditation, food as medicine, postural alignment and breathing awareness from Pilates and Yoga. She incorporates techniques from Zen Macrobiotics, Ayurvedic philosophies and Traditional Chinese Medicine into her signature spa cuisine. The week’s retreat will give you the opportunity to participate in yoga and Pilates classes, indulge in massages and participate in Sam's unique cooking demonstrations and health and nutrition workshops. 

Price: from US$2,999 per person

Price Package includes:

• 5 Yoga/ Pilates classes
• 1 meditation session
• 3 wellness workshops
• 2 Food as Medicine cooking demonstrations
• All meals
• 6 night’s accommodation (twin share basis)