Imagine a tropical island of lush green and sandy beaches. Transparent blue water, dramatic sunsets, smiley locals and a community of healthy living types. 9 or 10 yoga schools and counting, a very rich range of classes and workshops, events and gatherings. Trendy cafes and pampering massage spas. An eclectic, international crowd of people with diverse backgrounds and demographics meets and mingles here. They are looking for self-development and healing, sun, peace and connection in a low cost, minimalistic setting.
This is Srithanu in Koh Phangan, a former fishermen village turned international yoga hub in the beautifully laid back country of Thailand.
This is where I live, 9 months a year, cooking my own food, doing yoga, trekking in the jungle, dancing and occasionally, wakeboarding. Ah, and working in a detox centre 3 days a week. If escaping to a tropical island is a lifestyle people dream of on a cold Monday morning, being close to nature, living at a slower pace, a simpler life is what many of my neighbours and fellow island dwellers have chosen for themselves.
And many are into a Yoga way of living. This means early nights and getting up at sunrise. Early morning is the most sattvic (balanced, harmonious, pure..) time for meditation or asana practice. It also means eating nourishing, often vegetarian or whole food and mostly avoiding stimulants like alcohol and drugs.
So much on offer here, you could spend months trying out all different courses. One of my favourite yoga schools is Osho inspired Samma Karuna, where teachers of diverse traditions hold space and inspire us in many different ways.
The largest school and the one first to come to Srithanu is Agama and two other favourites are Jaran’s and the Pyramid, just a short motorbike ride away. I also have a couple of friends running Gaia and Namaste Yoga Farm.
The concept of meaning in life is one difficult to fully grasp. Yet so many are frustrated and disappointed with the standard model of achievement: long hours in an office following a structure designed to fulfil the needs of post industrial revolution factory work. The daily commute, packaged food and consumerism in busy cities of steel and concrete.
An alternative lifestyle, with closer ties to a community and nature, appeals to many in theory, yet is not rewarded by society. Sometimes people leave status and the aspiration of money and career to search more elusive personal and spiritual growth. This often means embracing different values and a certain intellectual freedom which, when well exercised, can really empower the individual towards greater well-being.
Is Srithanu really a fairytale place? Well, it’s not always sunny in paradise and personal challenges abound here too. My father once said to me: if you have broken bones, you can change bed yet you won’t have a good night sleep.
To really feel in tune, grounded yet elevated is the ultimate challenge for a human being and although it might seem easier here than elsewhere, it still remains a challenge for most of us.
Many people coming to Srithanu are going through personal change and this place would make a great research ground to study “first world problems”, those linked to essentialism, psychology and philosophy.
If happiness can be found through the fulfilment of universal human needs, where one is based shouldn’t really make a difference. If one is at peace with himself, London, New York, any small town anywhere or Koh Phangan would all be good locations.
Why do I love my rather new-age, a bit quirky village so much then? Maybe because it’s eclectic, very modern, even futuristic. Life is an experiment, someone once said.
Ultimately I think that beautiful nature, international people, lots of yoga and workshops, really fresh fish, fruit and vegetables in a low cost, friendly country are really great things. The opportunity to work part time in my new field of nutrition and wellness, a massage 2-3 times a week, spare time to read, cook and just be and an almost daily dose of tropical sunset are better than the daily commute on the London underground. Maybe better than 10 hours a day in financial services for a good paycheck.
Would this work for everyone? Escaping the rat race is a hot topic, yet we are all different and everyone’s path in life is unique. Don’t leave your current lifestyle quite yet. Do come to Koh Phangan for a holiday though! Hangout with me for 2 weeks, eat real food, detox and relax, get some sun, dance, swim in the ocean and do Yoga! Recharge your batteries, get a tan and a boost of energy. A change of scenery and a bit of emotional support are always useful to build upon the ambition of excelling in your career and big city lifestyle. Who knows, you might fall in love with the place and never go back! 😉
