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. Other properties offering Yoga on a daily basis including Amangalla, which lies within the Galle’s Dutch Fort; Baryberyn Ayurveda Beach Resort where Yoga is conducted within tranquil surroundings at the edge of the sea; Maya Villa, an inland boutique villa set amidst paddy fields and a rural setting in Tangalle; and the Talalla Retreat, a beachside holiday retreat situated in the deep south. There are also several beach villas along the south coast and Galle that offer private Yoga sessions.

Maya Wellness Retreats:

Maya Villa, an exquisite boutique villa in the deep south, offers bespoke wellbeing retreats at certain times of year that create mind and body wellness through the ancient philosophies of Yoga and meditation. Set amidst lush tropical gardens and paddy fields in the rural village of Aranwella in Tangalle, this five-bedroom villa is a century old `wallawua’ (manor house) that has been caringly refurbished by its present owners. The retreats covers a period of six nights and are offered only during May to June; and September to October.  Package includes accommodation, meals (vegetarian options are available) and wellbeing activities conducted in the verandah or under the shade of a tropical tree in the peaceful gardens of Maya Villa. Mahesh Kodikara, an internationally trained Sri Lankan Yoga guru with over 20 years of teaching experience, conducts gentle Lyengar style Yoga to more dynamic sessions based on individual needs. Daily programme includes Yoga, Pranayama and meditation practice, and Tai Chi. The wellbeing package also provides two relaxing Ayurvedic massages, special excursions including a visit to the nearby Buddhist temple, and a cooking class on traditional Sri Lankan cuisine.

Information on Maya Villa: Click Here


Ulpotha Yoga retreats:

Ulpotha, a Yoga focused eco-retreat, is hidden away in the rural village of Embogama about an hour north of Kurunegalla. Surrounded by low mountains, a lotus-ringed lake, and green paddy fields, Ulpotha is a place of total peace and tranquility where one lives among trees, sunflowers, marigolds and vegetable patches, in simply furnished wattle and daub houses with roofs thatched with woven coconut palm leaves. Ulpotha is an experience of Sri Lanka's traditional rural lifestyle and is only open for 13 fortnightly periods between June and August and also from November to March. Between these periods Ulpotha is closed to allow the surrounding village community to continue with their traditional agricultural practices of paddy and vegetable cultivation. Ulpotha’s wellness retreats include the ancient healing wisdom of Ayurveda, Yoga and guided meditation. Yoga classes are conducted in an open sided building with a leaf-thatched roof or in the cool shade of a Banyan tree.

Information on Ulpotha: Click Here
Information on Ulpotha’s detailed Yoga schedule: Click Here


Talalla Retreat: Daily Yoga sessions and monthly intensive group Yoga retreats

Talalla Retreat is a laid back, beach side holiday escape and yoga retreat situated in the village of Gandara in the deep south. Talalla is perched on a hillock that overlooks the secluded crescent shaped Talalla beach. Set amidst swaying palms, Talalla provides a quiet and peaceful setting which is ideal for those seeking a relaxing holiday in the south coast with a focus on yoga and Ayurvedic wellness. Talalla Retreat’s founder, Laurie Rose, has been a yoga practitioner for more than 24 years and Louisa Sear of Yoga Arts is also a partner. There is a resident yoga teacher all year round that conducts morning and afternoon yoga classes as well as monthly intensive yoga retreats.

Information on Talalla Retreat: Click Here