Roni Jones is an E-RYT 500 accredited Yoga teacher by Yoga Alliance, and C-IAYT Registered Yoga Therapist, having taught in Germany, Holland, UK, Austria, Australia, India and Thailand for over a decade. Roni’s practice spans over 20 years as a Tibetan Buddhist practitioner, immersed in mindful movement as well as theatrical arts. She is an avid researcher and continual student having studied with leaders in the field of Yoga, Mindfulness, Women’s Wellbeing and Sound Healing.

Roni is especially focused on creating connection, building community, cultivating awareness and compassion. Her specialist areas are mental health, emotional balance, women’s yoga therapy and spinal imbalances.

ACCOMMODATION:

Island Yoga offers traditional Thai teak bungalow stays with balcony in nature, either fan or air con options. They are designed to complement their natural surroundings, equipped with private bathroom, double bed, desk, refrigerator, mosquito net, shower with hot and cold running water inside. Rooms are available for one or two persons, as either double bed or twin bed. We also have the newest addition to the retreat, modern air con concrete rooms if you prefer. You are welcome to bring children, please ask for more details on inquiry. Yoga classes are primarily for adults, unless 12 years old. This retreat just allows that families can join, if you wish to take a Yoga vacation with your family!

MEALS:

Two meals are inclusive of the retreat breakfast and dinner. Lunch is left open for you to take as you wish, either at Island Yoga or somewhere else on the island if you are on an excursion for the day.

Breakfast boasts options of either healthy Yoga Café BKK style or Thai buffet style vegan or vegetarian:-

Yoga Cafe BKK:

You like to start the day with a nice cup of coffee (also Yogi tea option), something wholesome like oats or granola and a delicious smoothie. This breakfast option is full of nutrients and low calorie. Please specify Vegetarian or Vegan at the time of booking.

Thai Buffet Style:

Traditional Thai dishes of noodles, rice, vegetables, various egg dishes, wholemeal bread, fruits, museli, yoghurt, Thai sweet/savoury snack wrapped in palm leaves, juices, and tea. Please specify Vegetarian or Vegan at the time of booking.

Fresh Coffee lovers! – coffee will be available upon request for an additional charge.

Evening Dinner – we will take together as a group, delicious Thai buffet style or an outing to Chaba, the island’s famous health cafe.

Healthy Snacks – we are bringing some of the favourite healthy snacks from Yoga Cafe BKK for your convenience – you can purchase these throughout the retreat to keep up your energy levels and enjoy a healthy treat!

16 February or 20 February (depending on 4 or 8 nights)
AM-Early PM Check-in

Orientation
16.30 Welcome Ceremony

Every day onwards
8.00 – 9.30 Awakening Yoga

9.30 Breakfast

9.30 – 16.30 Free time, Workshop or Trip

For reflection, relaxation, outdoor activity, massage, swimming etc OR to join a workshop

16.30 – 18.15 Yin Yoga & Myofascial or Aerial Yoga +  Sound Healing

19.00 Buffet Dinner

Occasional Evening Sound Bath, Cacao Ceremoy, Fire Blessing & Full Moon

* There will be some evening events/meals out, 1 or 2 daytime workshops, as well as optional daytime excursions.

20 Febrary (4 night option) or 24 February (4 or 8 night option)
7.45 – 9.30 – Awakening Yoga + Closing Ceremony

9.30 Breakfast

10.30 – 12.00 Check-out

Workshops

2h Ayurvedic Raw Food Workshop

3h Women’s Circle & Mala Making

Evening Events

1.5h Cacao Ceremony + Sacred Heart Sound Bath

1h Full Moon Evening

*Schedule is subject to change

After Deposit –

Intial deposit is only fully refundable under COVID-19 travel restrictions. If you make the booking, and Covid-19 is not restricting your travel to the island then the deposit will not be refundable. With providing a more relaxed final payment date of only 30 days prior, instead of 60 days, we hope this can be appreciated.

After Balance Payment –

Due to COVID-19 our balance payment policy is not until 30 days prior to the retreat on 17 January.

Full payment is fully refundable under COVID-19 travel restrictions circumstances at any time in or outside Thailand with proof of the travel restriction.

If you make the booking and Covid-19 is not restricting your travel to the island then the full payment will be dealt with under the regular policy:

• 100% refund will be given 25 days or more prior to retreat date (excluding deposit, unless Covid-19 restrictions).
• Refund 50% 15 days prior to the retreat date.
• No refund will be given less than 15 days prior to the retreat date.

Any refunds will be issued in the same format that they were received.

LIABILITY

Pure Nature Yoga is not responsible for any injury or illness, accidents, cancellations, travel delays or any other circumstances outside of our control, other than Covid-19. In the unlikely event of cancellation from Pure Nature Yoga your full payment and deposit for the retreat will be refunded. Personal arrangements for flights, accommodation, visa and passports are the responsibility of the student.

We highly recommend you purchase good travel insurance that will cover you for any losses incurred by unexpected illness, cancellation or curtailment.

ADDRESS

Ulmar Nature Lodge (Island Yoga), 4/10 Moo 4, Baan Tha Khao, Koh Yao Noi, Phang Nga, 82160, Thailand

ARRIVAL

Arrival by airplane

International flights arrive at Bangkok International Suvarnabhumi Airport. If you are flying with Air Asia they will arrive at Don Muang Airport. Depending on your home country you even be able to fly directly to Phuket instead of Bangkok.

From Bangkok take an internal flight or overnight bus/train to Phuket. If for some reason you are coming from East Thailand then Krabi will be your port of call.

It is easier to access the island via Phuket which has more flight and ferry options than Krabi. Flying into Phuket, the last ferry departs at 5.40pm, from Krabi the last ferry departs at 5.30pm.

Ferry From Phuket

1. From the airport take a taxi to Bang Rong Pier.

Approximately 25 minutes – 600 THB.

1. Catch the ferry to Koh Yao Noi

30 minutes by speedboat – 300 THB per person, 1 hour by long tail – 150 THB per person.

Boat times – the first ferry leaves at 7.30 am and they run approx. every hour till 5.40 pm

Once you book the retreat we will send a timetable to plan your trip.

1. Take a shared taxi to Ulmar Nature Lodge (Island Yoga).

20 minutes – 150 THB per person. Don’t worry, there are always taxi’s waiting at the pier, no need to pre-book one.

Ferry From Krabi

1. From the airport take a taxi to Tha Lane Pier.

Approximately 45 minutes – 700-800 THB.

1. Catch the ferry to Koh Yao Noi.

Ferries leave every couple of hours starting at 9 am and finishing at 5.30pm – 30 minutes by speedboat 300 THB – 1 hour by long tail 150 THB

1. Take a taxi to Ulmar Nature Lodge (Island Yoga).

5 minute taxi ride costs THB 50 pp or you can walk to the Nature Lodge in 15 minutes.

1. Bus option from Krabi town

This route is a little more complex; please ask locals or the tourist information in Krabi town for bus times to Tha Lane pier.

Once you book the retreat we will send a timetable to plan your trip.

VISA FOR THAILAND

Thailand previously accepted a 60 Day Visa obtained in your home country, prior to arrival in Thailand, or for some countries on arrival for 30 days. However Covid-19 has changed things and may continue to do so. Thailand is now issuing ‘Special Tourist Visa’ which will allow stay for up to 90 days, and a Certificate of Entry.

**Please check with your local Thai embassy the requirements and documents needed to obtain this Visa. As well as current stipulations such as quarantine, and Covid test before entering the country**

TO ENTER THAILAND:

Thailand has just re-opened 1st November and has 17 Blue Sandbox Zones that are accepeting international travellers. These are places kept safe and have high vaccination rates. Phuket and Phang-Nga are included in this list.

Currently 7 days Quarantine is required for fully vaccinated travelers, in order to travel to the rest of Thailand. However only 1 day may be necessary in Phuket before traveling to the blue zone of Koh Yao Noi. Please check with your Thai embassy!

 Requirements:

1. Certificate of Entry (COE) issued by the Thai embassy or consulate in your current location or apply for Thailand Pass.
2. Visa for Thailand
3. A Certificate of Vaccination (fully) at least 14 days before arrival. Those previously infected with Covid will have needed a vaccination since and mecial certificate of recovery.
4. COVID 19 Health Certificate issued by relevant authority and the COVID-19 medical RT-PCR test result. The test must be conducted no longer than 72 hours before the date of travel. This certificate is also necessary at the airline’s check-in counter for a boarding pass to be issued.
5. COVID -19 Insurance covering treatment and medical expenses related to COVID-19 with a minimum coverage of 50,000 USD.
6. Quarantine for 7 days in Blue Zone and confirmation of reservation of a SHA+ or ASQ Hotel. Maybe only 1 day quarantine before traveling to Koh Yao Noi.

*Please come prepared with your own health and/or travel insurance.

YOGA ACCESSORIES

High quality Manduka Yoga mats, blocks, straps & bolsters are provided, as is filtered drinking water.

CLIMATE

Thailand’s peak season is December to March when the climate is cool and dry. There is little rainfall, but it is useful to have a very light raincoat just incase. These can be bought very cheaply from any store here. The temperature ranges from around 24-30c in the southern Andaman region where we are located with most days being sunny and warm.

SPECIAL ITEMS & MEDICATIONS

Please note basic supplies can be purchased at Koh Yao Noi’s market. There is one shop offering a select few imports and one Health Café. However, it is advisable to bring any super food powders, health or organic products, and items for special dietry requirements as these are unobtainable on Koh Yao Noi. There is a small hospital on the island incase of an emergency, and a pharmacy for basic needs.

We highly recommend you purchase good travel insurance that will cover you for any losses incurred by unexpected illness, cancellation or curtailment.

CURRENCY

The currency is Thai Baht. There are a few ATM machines on the island, but only one bank to exchange money. It is best to exchange money before you arrive to the island if you are traveling with US$ or Travelers’ Cheques.

BASICS TO BRING

• Torch & Camera
• Adapter for Asia
• Water Bottle
• Sunscreen & Mosquito repellent
• Bathing suit & Sarong
• Walking shoes/sandals
• Light clothing & Yoga clothing
• Health food items & medications
• Your own yoga mat if you prefer
• Notebook, Journal & pens if you wish