General Instructions
1. What do I need to bring?
In class, yoga mats, tools and equipment are provided for all students, along with your course package which includes a study manual, a text, a notebook, pen and neti pot & rubber for pranayama class. Student are not required to bring their own equipment unless they prefer to have them.
In the room, you will find fan, bedding, towel and basic toiletry set. You may bring or purchase other common necessities in the convenient store at the fresh market. There is a grocery store just beside our school that you will be able to find local snacks, shampoo, soap, toothbrush, etc.
Few things that you should have with you:
– A white outfit for opening and closing ceremony to signify the next step of your journey (optional)
– Comfortable clothing for classes and excursions
– Sweater / Jacket for morning and evening classes
– Big & thick shawl or blanket for relaxation (shavasana) practices in the evening (for mosquito protection during meditation and yoga nidra period and for when it is cold in the morning and evening)
– A non-revealing outfit (no cleavage, no shoulder-less tops, covering knees) for temple and monastery visits. You can also just bring a shawl to cover yourself while you visit the holy places.
– Sneakers / Walking Shoes for excursions
– Sunscreen for excursions
– Mosquito repellents for classes and excursions
– Adapter for power outlet
– Personal medication
2. Can I join the training if I’m a beginner?
Beginners are welcome to join the 50 hours, 100 hours, 200 hours and 500 hours Yoga Teacher Training course. For these trainings, we make it our priority to layout the most essential yoga foundations regarding the understanding of the philosophy and practices of yoga at the beginning of the training. This is will set the strong base for you that enables you to continue and further your practice and understanding of the philosophy of yoga after the completion of the training, which is when your personal journey really begins. So in the training, everyone starts at the same page to ensure strong foundation.
However, the 300 hours Yoga Teacher Training course is reserved for those who have completed the 200 hours Yoga Teacher Training certified by Yoga Alliance USA. The person will then be eligible for continuing with the 300 hours training with us.
3. What happens if I become sick during my course?
This happens sometimes even when we try our best to keep healthy. There is no need to worry. Depending on how sick you are, you can observe the class or rest in your room during this time. We will take you to the hospital whenever you feel that you want some prescribed medication, but medical fees would be your personal expenses. Regarding hours lost if you take time to recover from your illness, teachers can give extra assignments and spend some free hours to catch you up to the course syllabus.
4. What is the weather?
The weather during October and November in Chiangmai is cool at night and warm during the day. In October, it is around 22 degrees Celsius at night and 32 degrees Celsius during daytime (most sunny). There may also be rain at the beginning of October that is remaining from the rainy season. So you should have warm jacket or sweater for morning classes before breakfast time. If possible, please bring thick, warm shawl for evening Meditation & Relaxation class to cover yourself during relaxation (shavasana). It will protect you from the evening cold and mosquitoes. Mosquito repellent is also recommended.
In November, it is the first month of winter and it would be around 18 degrees Celsius at night and 30 degrees Celsius during daytime (mostly sunny). It may become gradually colder day by day. So you should have warm jacket or sweater for morning classes before breakfast time. If possible, please bring thick, warm shawl for evening Meditation & Relaxation class to cover yourself during relaxation (shavasana). It will protect you from the evening cold and mosquitoes. Mosquito repellent is also recommended.
5. Do I need Thai visa? What visa do I need?
Whether you will need to apply for a visa or not will depend on your nationality and how long you plan to stay in Thailand. If you need a visa, you will need to apply for a tourist visa, either a sticker type or visa on arrival (Tvoa). Our school will not be able to provide supporting documents for you to apply for a student visa because we are not registered under Thai Ministry of Education. When coming through Immigration check at the airport, it is recommended that you describe your purpose of visit as tourism for cultural and spiritual exploration and for attending some yoga and meditation (not specifying sole purpose as yoga training which may lead to longer questioning).
Please see the website below to find more information for your nationality and length of visit:
1. General Tourist Visa – Sticker type
2. Exemption List – for countries that can enter without Visa
School Tradition & Certification
1. What tradition do you teach?
Our school combines the knowledge of Patanjali’s Yoga sutras, the philosophy and practices of Vedic and Hindu culture and initiatory experiences passed on by a long line of masters whose name may or may not be known to most. We teach the implications of yoga philosophy and methods to integrate different elements of yoga as they are found in different traditions to enhance experience of practitioners. We create a space where students find their own ways to apply knowledge and wisdom of yoga.
2. What certification do I receive?
Yoga Samaadhi is affiliated with Yoga Alliance USA and we are a registered yoga school – RYS 200, RYS 300, RYS 500 and YACEP. Therefore, as you complete your training you will receive a certificate accredited by Yoga Alliance USA per your completed training, which makes you eligible to become a registered yoga teacher – RYT 200 or RYT 500 with Yoga Alliance USA.
3. Does course fee include my Yoga Alliance registration fee?
No. We provide the training and the certification that makes you eligible for the registration. We will have to visit www.yogaalliance.org , create your account, submit your certificate (that you receive from our school), wait for us to approve your certificate, then finally make payment (Initial fee+Annual fee) to Yoga Alliance USA. After that, you are a registered yoga teacher – RYT 200 or RYT 500.
4. Can I teach with 50 Hour Yoga TTC?
The weather during October and November in Chiangmai is cool at night and warm during the day. In October, it is around 22 degrees Celsius at night and 32 degrees Celsius during daytime (most sunny). There may also be rain at the beginning of October that is remaining from the rainy season. So you should have warm jacket or sweater for morning classes before breakfast time. If possible, please bring thick, warm shawl for evening Meditation & Relaxation class to cover yourself during relaxation (shavasana). It will protect you from the evening cold and mosquitoes. Mosquito repellent is also recommended.
Unfortunately, the 50 hours Yoga TTC will not make you eligible for registration as RYT as the minimum is RYT200. If you would like to become a teacher, a 200 hours training would be required. However, if you have a time to spare, definitely go for the 500 hours Yoga TTC.
Food & Rooms
1. Is vegan and gluten free food available?
Yes! We serve mostly Thai vegetarian cuisine (with milk but no eggs as according to Indian vegetarian ways). It is quite simple to adjust and prepare vegan Thai food, so vegans will surely enjoy their meals. Gluten free is also available on request, but we are less experienced with what is or is not gluten free. So with your patience and guidance, we can definitely prepare you something you can safely consume.
Venue & How to Get There
1. How do I get to Chiangmai?
ARRIVAL BY PLANE:
The Chiangmai International Airport (CNX) is located at the southwest corner of Chiang Mai city. If there are no direct flights from your city, there are certainly connections you could make to reach Chiangmai.
ARRIVAL BY TRAIN:
From within Thailand, there trains between different provinces and Chiangmai province. From Bangkok, the journey takes about 12 hours. You can choose to take the overnight trains that feature comfortable bunks with or without air-conditioning. Train tickets from Bangkok are between 600-1,000 THB depending on the level of comfort.
ARRIVAL BY BUS:
Buses are available roughly every hour from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. There are a few bus terminals in Bangkok and they destined for different parts of the country. As you would be travelling north to Chiangmai. You will be departing from Bangkok’s Mo Chit Station and arriving at Chiang Mai’s Eastern (main) Bus Terminal. The first departure of the day is at 05:30 and the last is at 22:00. From Bangkok, the journey takes about 10 hours and bus prices range from 12 USD to 25 USD per trip from Bangkok to Chiangmai.
2. How do I get to the Venue from Chiangmai city?
ARRIVAL BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
“Maewin Guesthouse & Resort is 53 km in the southern direction from Chiangmai city and 55 km from Chiangmai International Airport (CNX). The bus for Mae Wang district leaves from the corner of Wualay Rd. and Chang Lor Rd., opposite the Chiangmai Gate (1 of the 4 city gates) on the south side of the moat that surrounds the old city. Look for a bus that goes to บ้านกาด (Baan Kaad), it’s a yellow pickup truck with seats at the back and a sign on the roof, the route stops in Mae Wang. Sit to the end of the line which is 5km passed Baan Kaad fresh market. The ride costs only 35 baht per passenger. From there, you have to pay extra fee of around 250-300 baht to reach the guesthouse.”
ARRIVAL BY TAXI:
Yoga Samaadhi is happy to assist you in arranging a taxi pick up once you arrive in Chiangmai. The taxi fee and travel time will depend on your pick up location and traffic. It is an average of 1.20 hours from Chiangmai International Airport (CNX) to the guesthouse by taxi and costing around 1,500 baht per trip. We also have a contact with a local Chiangmai public transport. So if you don’t mind an open air yellow pickup (back seaters with roof) taxi, this will cost you only 800 baht per trip from the airport.
3. When should I arrive for my course?
The program starts at around 10.30am on the first day with a registration and an opening fire ceremony. You can arrive a day early (additional charges are applicable) or arrive in the morning before 10.30am.
4. When can I depart after my course?
On the last day, we complete the training with a graduation ceremony. This will be no longer than 12noon. You can plan you depart from our school any time after 12noon or maybe after you take your lunch.
5. Is there taxi pickup and drop off?
Yes! We can arrange for you a taxi pickup and drop off, but you will have to pay for your own ride. It is an average of 1.20 hours from Chiangmai International Airport (CNX) to the guesthouse by taxi and costing around 1,500 baht per trip. We also have a contact with a local Chiangmai public transport. So if you don’t mind an open air yellow pickup (back seaters with roof) taxi, this will cost you only 800 baht per trip from the airport.
