Yogataveller, Koh Ngai, Thailand - 6th September 2008 - By: Aubrey Lampkin

With Gerard Andrews, Nathalie Diercksen, Claire George, Piero Greico, Carly Kite and Jules (plus a cameo appearance by my sister, Candace!).

 

I somehow knew this week would be special. Not only had I finally recovered from my Dengue Fever and was rearing to teach again, but my darling little sister, Candace, had just arrived to visit me in Thailand and wanted to come along to my yoga retreat on the west coast of Thailand on Koh Ngai. Fantastic! (Candace had only taken a few yoga classes in the past and I was so excited to have the opportunity to be her teacher for the first time and watch her practice expand.) So together she and I headed off to the west coast from Koh Samui via ground transportation (always an adventure) to link up with my students in Trang town, to then take a ferry to our paradise island, Koh Ngai.

 

 

I always love the first moment I meet my students... I relish in that moment because I know I’m going to learn so much about them (and them so much about me) in the seven days we have together. It’s sort of like being away at summer camp. And when you come home you know the experiences you shared with those people will make them your comrades for life. Gerard was an infectiously funny Australian man who’d just sold a business and was looking for a little respite, Nathalie was a stunning woman from Germany on holiday by herself, Claire and Piero were a British couple working for an investment bank in London and Carly and Jules were a British couple on their honeymoon otherwise living and working in Shanghai. I sort of feel like I’m working for the United Nations sometimes! Every single one of them was extremely independent and interesting with a different tale to tell. I could sit and listen to them for hours at dinner. What I found most inspiring was how open-minded they all were about their individual yoga practices. Again, for relative beginners, their open-minds and positive attitudes spring-boarded them to a level I never expected by the end of the week. It really goes to show that having interest in what you’re doing makes you truly successful at it. And these guys were all truly so interested and invested in yoga (especially the men, which I always find extra inspiring!).

 

 

We had a little rain on the island this week – okay, actually a lot of rain. Never mind, though, because the group was so happy-go-lucky nothing could have affected their good vibes! During the rainy days we made frequent trips to Thai massage – even had a Thai massage group lesson.

 

 

We stayed home and read, just chilled-out and relaxed which is really what everyone wanted to do the most. The Gods must have heard my prayers because the sun came out for our final two days, enough for us to go on an all-day boat/snorkeling expedition to Koh Mook and do some swimming off the beach.

 

 

Nathalie and my sister busied themselves shell-collecting most days (rain or shine) and now have stunning hand-made necklaces as result. I’ve never seen prettier shells than on Koh Ngai beach…

 

Once again, our group had such a good time together we decided to stick together! (I think this might be a recurring theme.) I was thrilled to hear everyone had booked more time in Thailand after the retreat ended and that everyone – yes, all six of my students! – wanted to travel back to Koh Samui with my sister and I to check out the east coast. We looked like the Brady Bunch (forgive the American TV reference) as we all packed onto the little plane from Krabi to Koh Samui together ready for our next adventure. We ended up spending another week together on Koh Samui which was just fantastic - but made saying good-bye even more difficult!