Srithanu, Koh Phangan - the village that became a centre for yoga, tantra and personal growth

01Srithanu - what you need to know

02What is Srithanu really like?

One of the things that stood out most on our visit to Srithanu was the main street.

It is a long road running through the town, with stretches lined with shops, restaurants and businesses, and then more open sections where the buildings thin out.

There is a fair amount of traffic along the street, and during our visit you could also feel the dust lifting into the air and slowly settling again. It did not feel like a polished, quiet holiday village, but like a place where people live, work and move about all day long.

And still, we really enjoyed wandering around the town.

There are lots of small businesses, cafés and shops, and you can walk along the commercial stretches, stop and browse what is on offer.

The second thing that struck us was the people.

We saw a great many young people, and the atmosphere felt international, open and relaxed. This is not a place where everyone comes only for a short holiday; some people are on the island for longer periods, studying, practising or taking part in various activities.

From the main road you can turn off towards the sea, and the further you get from the traffic, the more the atmosphere changes.

That is part of what makes Srithanu different: the road can be busy and dusty, but a relatively short distance away there are beaches, gardens and quiet practice spaces.

03How did Srithanu become a centre for workshops and personal growth?

Srithanu did not become a spiritual centre overnight, nor thanks to a single institution.

Over the years, centres for yoga, meditation, holistic therapies and tantra studies grew up in the west of Koh Phangan. They drew teachers, students and travellers who wanted to combine a tropical holiday with practice or a personal process.

One of the longest-established centres in the area is Orion Healing, which has been running on Koh Phangan for many years and combines yoga, retreats and wellness programmes.

Later, other centres established themselves in the area, including Samma Karuna and One Yoga, alongside independent facilitators and venues that host short workshops.

Over time, a self-sustaining community formed here.

Teachers attract students, students come back for further stays, some move to the area or become facilitators themselves, and cafés, restaurants, shops and accommodation grow up around all this activity.

The beaches and sunsets of west Koh Phangan add to the pull of the place as well.

The result is that workshops are not a side activity in Srithanu. They are a significant part of the area's identity.

Was there one school that started it all?

We found no basis for saying that any single centre created Srithanu's workshop community on its own.

That said, the long-running school Agama Yoga was also part of the history of yoga and tantra teaching on Koh Phangan.

It is important to know that in 2018 serious allegations of sexual assault were made against its founder by former students, and following the affair the school announced it was closing at the time.

At the end of 2018 the school reopened, and it later changed its name to Phangan Yoga.

This story is also an important reminder: the fact that a place presents itself as a spiritual centre or a space for personal growth does not guarantee that what happens there is safe or professional.

So, especially for workshops involving sexuality, touch, emotional exposure or trauma work, it is important to check the facilitators and the rules on consent and boundaries carefully.

04What kinds of workshops can you find in Srithanu?

The range is far wider than ordinary yoga classes.

Yoga and meditation

This is one of the most established fields in the area.

You can find hatha yoga, vinyasa, yin yoga, kundalini, breathing exercises and meditation classes.

Some classes are suitable for beginners, others for experienced practitioners, and there are also long yoga teacher training courses.

You do not have to commit to a programme lasting several weeks. Many centres let you join a single class and pay as you go.

Tantra and conscious sexuality

Srithanu is also known for its tantra, intimacy and conscious sexuality workshops.

It is important to understand that tantra is not a synonym for sex.

Some workshops focus on meditation, breath, movement and body awareness. Others deal with communication between partners, touch, boundaries, intimacy and sexuality.

The differences between workshops can be very large.

Some sessions involve no touch at all, while others include exercises in pairs or consensual touch work.

So before signing up it is important to understand exactly what is going to happen, whether there are intimate exercises, whether you need to come with a partner, and what your options are for taking part without doing a particular exercise.

Breathwork and emotional work

Breathwork is another popular field in the area.

Some workshops are based on conscious breathing and relaxation exercises, while others involve more intense processes of connected breathing and emotional work.

Not every kind of breathwork suits everyone. Anyone with certain medical conditions, who is pregnant or who is dealing with significant mental health difficulties should check in advance whether the practice is suitable for them.

Free movement and Ecstatic Dance

One of the activities most associated with Koh Phangan's personal growth community is Ecstatic Dance.

It is a free-dance event, usually with no set choreography, where participants dance to music that evolves over the course of the session.

At some events it is customary to dance without alcohol and to keep talking to a minimum during the dance.

Ecstatic Dance events take place at various venues on Koh Phangan, not necessarily in Srithanu itself.

Other workshops

In the area you can also find activities such as ice baths, sound healing, reiki, conscious movement, communication workshops, women's circles, community gatherings and retreats lasting a few days.

What is on offer changes through the year and depends on which centres and facilitators are on the island at the time.

05Workshop centres worth knowing in Srithanu

These are some of the best-known active centres in the area, with websites where you can check their schedules.

1. Samma Karuna - tantra, breathwork and personal growth

Samma Karuna is one of the leading centres for anyone interested in personal growth workshops.

It offers programmes that include yoga, meditation, breathwork, tantra, body-emotional work and group sessions.

Some activities are designed for participants on a longer retreat, while others are also open to visitors who want to join a particular class or workshop.

It is one of the first places we would check if the main reason for visiting Srithanu was to take part in workshops rather than just practise yoga.

Where to check and book

Samma Karuna's official website

On the website you can find programmes, courses and a downloadable class schedule.

2. Orion Healing - yoga, retreats and holistic therapies

Orion Healing is a long-established centre in Srithanu, with practice spaces, yoga, workshops and retreats.

It offers yoga classes in various styles, meditation, sound healing, wellness programmes and holistic therapies.

One of its advantages is that you can come for a single class without booking a whole retreat package.

According to the centre's guidelines, for many classes you can sign up on the spot, and it is best to arrive around 10-15 minutes before the start. Some workshops may require advance booking.

Where to check and book

Orion Healing's class and workshop schedule

It is worth checking the schedule close to your visit, as it is updated regularly.

3. One Yoga - for a structured yoga practice

One Yoga is a yoga and meditation school in Srithanu.

It suits anyone who wants structured practice, with hatha yoga, vinyasa, yin yoga, meditation, yoga philosophy and other activities.

You can join single classes, as well as retreats and teacher training courses.

If you have never tried personal growth workshops before but would like to start with yoga or meditation in an organised setting, this is an option worth looking at.

Where to check and book

One Yoga's class schedule

4. Sati Yoga - yoga classes and movement

Sati Yoga is another studio in the Srithanu area, offering yoga and meditation classes alongside movement activities.

It is another place worth checking if you are looking for a single class or some practice during your holiday.

We recommend checking up-to-date details directly with the studio.

06Where do you find all the workshops happening in Srithanu?

This is perhaps the most important question for anyone coming to the area specifically to take part in workshops.

There is no single official website that lists every workshop in Srithanu.

Activities are spread across schools, practice centres, independent facilitators and venues that host events.

So the best approach is to combine several sources.

Local event listings

A good place to start is Crazy GAKKO - yoga events on Koh Phangan, which lists various activities on the island, including yoga, meditation and workshops.

It is a useful tool for getting a sense of the range of activities, but it is important to confirm each event with the organiser, as third-party listings are not always up to date.

Workshop centres' own websites

For longer workshops, trainings and retreats, we recommend starting with the centres' official websites.

That is usually where you will find more detailed information about the programme, facilitators, price, duration and conditions of participation.

Instagram, Facebook and local groups

Much of what goes on in Koh Phangan is also posted on social media.

It is worth searching for phrases such as:

• Koh Phangan Workshops
• Srithanu Events
• Koh Phangan Tantra
• Koh Phangan Yoga
• Koh Phangan Conscious Community
• Koh Phangan Ecstatic Dance

You can also find local groups where facilitators post events, schedule changes and last-minute places.

It is important to check who is posting the event, who the facilitator is and whether there is a website or professional profile you can verify.

Go to a centre and ask in person

If you are already in Srithanu, you can walk into one of the centres and ask for the weekly schedule.

Sometimes this is the easiest way to discover classes or sessions you had not come across in advance.

07How to choose a tantra or personal growth workshop

Srithanu has a wide range of workshops, but not every activity suits everyone.

Especially for workshops involving intimacy, sexuality, touch or emotional exposure, there are a few things we would check before signing up.

Who is leading the workshop? Read about the facilitator's experience and training, and look for reviews from different sources.

What exactly happens in the session? Do not settle for a title like Tantra Experience or Conscious Connection. Ask for a clear description of the activities.

Is there touch? If so, what kind of touch, and can you choose not to take part in certain exercises?

Are there clear consent rules? In a professional workshop you should be able to say no, stop an exercise or leave the room without pressure or social penalty.

Is there nudity or sexual activity? It is important to get an explicit answer in advance, and not to find out only once the workshop has started.

What happens if you feel emotionally overwhelmed? It is worth understanding how the facilitators deal with participants who are in distress.

We especially recommend that first-timers choose a short, clearly defined activity, get to know the facilitator and their approach, and only then decide whether to join a longer process.

A good workshop can be a meaningful experience, but there is no reason to give up your personal boundaries in the name of spiritual growth.

08Srithanu Beach - the calm side of town

One of the nice things about Srithanu is that you can leave the main road and head towards the sea.

The area is on the west coast of Koh Phangan, so you can enjoy beautiful sunsets over the Gulf of Thailand.

Srithanu Beach has a calmer atmosphere than the main street.

It is worth knowing that the water at some west Koh Phangan beaches is fairly shallow, and at low tide the sea can recede a long way. So if swimming matters to you, it is worth checking the tide times.

Zen Beach - the beach for sunsets and gatherings

Near Srithanu is Zen Beach, one of the beaches most closely associated with west Koh Phangan's free-spirited community.

At sunset there are sometimes informal gatherings with music, drumming, movement and dancing.

It is not necessarily an organised performance or a ticketed event. People simply come to the beach, sit together, play music and enjoy the sunset.

The same thing does not happen every evening, and the atmosphere depends on the season and on who turns up.

If you are curious about the Srithanu community, this can be a pleasant way to see another side of it, even without signing up for a workshop.

09Cafés, shops and the local market

Srithanu is not only a centre for yoga and workshops.

Along the main street there are cafés, restaurants, small shops and businesses serving both residents and visitors.

The area is also known for cafés and restaurants serving vegetarian and vegan food, fruit bowls, smoothies and health-style food.

This fits the character of the community, but of course you do not have to be vegan or practise yoga to enjoy these places.

The market we saw in Srithanu

During our visit we also came across a nice local market, where we mostly saw vegetables for sale.

It was one of the things that reminded us that, alongside the international community and the workshops, Srithanu is still a Thai town with ordinary everyday life.

It is not just a compound built for tourists.

This mix of local shops, a market, cafés and practice centres is part of the character of the place.

10Should you visit Srithanu for a day or stay a few days?

The answer depends very much on why you are coming.

A visit of a few hours

If you are travelling around Koh Phangan and just want to get to know Srithanu, a few hours is perfectly fine.

Walk along the main street, stop at a café, pop into the shops, visit the beach and end the day with the sunset.

You can also fit in a one-off yoga class if you find one that matches the hours you are there.

A stay of three to five days

If you are interested in workshops, we would consider giving the area a few days.

That way you can try a yoga class, join a breathwork workshop or a personal growth session, and find out what suits you without cramming everything into one day.

It also gives you a chance to get to know the community and the atmosphere a little.

A stay of a week or more

If you are planning a retreat, a course or an ongoing process, Srithanu can be a convenient base for a long stay.

There is a range of accommodation in the area, from simple bungalows to units suited to longer stays.

It is worth choosing where to stay based on where your workshops are, and not only on how close you are to the beach.

If you are attending a programme that starts early in the morning and finishes in the evening, the distance from the practice centre may matter more than the view from your room.

11Where to stay in Srithanu

If the main purpose of your stay is to take part in workshops, we would look for somewhere relatively quiet, but not too far from the centre where the activities take place.

The main street can be busy and dusty, so it is worth checking whether the room faces the road or sits inside an inner compound.

If you are coming for a long retreat, check whether the workshop centre itself offers accommodation or a package combining a stay and activities.

If you want to combine a holiday with the occasional class, you can choose independent accommodation in Srithanu or the surrounding areas and travel to classes as needed.

Bear in mind that not everything listed on maps under Srithanu is within easy walking distance of all the workshop centres.

12How to get to Srithanu and get around the area

Srithanu is in the west of Koh Phangan, north of Thong Sala, where one of the island's main piers is located.

You can get there by local taxi or by hire car.

Within the central area you can walk between some of the shops and cafés, but not all the workshop centres are on the same street or within a short walk.

The main road is not always pleasant to walk along, either, because of the traffic and dust.

So if you are planning to take part in several activities in a day, it is worth checking the distances between them and the transport options in advance.

If you hire a scooter, take into account the road conditions, your own riding experience and the need for the right licence.

Our Koh Phangan transport guide

13Is Srithanu worth it if you are not interested in workshops?

Definitely, but it is worth knowing what to expect.

If you like cafés, small shops, healthy food, an international community and a young atmosphere, you may well enjoy Srithanu a lot even without signing up for anything.

On the other hand, if you are mainly looking for a quiet tropical beach, a pampering hotel and a feeling of getting away from it all, there are areas of Koh Phangan that may suit you better.

Srithanu is not the quietest or the most polished place on the island.

What makes it special is the people, the activities and the social atmosphere that has grown up around it.

14So what is special about Srithanu?

For us, the most interesting thing about Srithanu is that it does not look out of the ordinary at first glance.

We arrived in a town with a long main street, a lot of traffic, a bit of dust, shops, restaurants and plenty of young people wandering the streets.

But behind that everyday appearance is a whole community of people who came to Koh Phangan for reasons quite different from the ones usually associated with the island.

Some want to learn yoga, others are looking for tantra or conscious sexuality workshops, and some come to meet people, try new activities or simply take a break from routine.

You do not have to connect with every idea or join a workshop to find the place intriguing.

Srithanu is an interesting example of how a small Thai town became an international meeting point for yoga, personal growth and community.

And if you are coming to Koh Phangan wanting to try a workshop, learn something new or spend a few days on yourself, it is well worth getting to know.

Our complete Koh Phangan guide

Our description of the town, the main street, the atmosphere and the market is based on our own visit. The information about the workshop centres is based on the centres' own publications and external sources, and does not mean that we took part in their activities. Programmes, facilitators, prices and booking conditions may change. We recommend checking the details directly with the organisers.