For yogis’, Sri Lanka is a dream destination! Although yoga originated in India, this ancient spiritual practice has been an integral part of Sri Lankan culture for centuries. Today, yoga is practiced throughout the country in ashrams and retreats and the island is home to dozens of beautiful beachside studios.
Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a total newbie, Sri Lanka is one of the best places in Asia to hone your practice. But where are the best towns and retreats to tone your body and mind? Read on for the most spiritual places in Sri Lanka to take some classes, get your teacher training certificate, or take your first steps into the world of yoga!
Best places for yogis in Sri Lanka
Mirissa
The small beachside town of Mirissa is a popular among travellers for a number of reasons – from its glorious beaches to its luxury villas, a wealth of fun activities and top-notch restaurants. But for yogis, the main draw is the exceptional yoga schools and studios in town. Each one boasts a breathtaking location and skilled, experienced teachers, and you may find it difficult to choose between them! Nevertheless, here are our favourite yoga studios in Mirissa for everything from Tantra to Kundalini!
Best yoga studios in Mirissa
Rukshan Yoga
Rukshan Yoga is the go-to place for yoga in Mirissa, whatever level your practice is at! Guru Chanak Rukshan, an experienced yogi master, has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best in town. Using a combination of traditional and modern methods, he skillfully guides students towards achieving their personal goals. From beginner classes to advanced teacher training courses, this studio has something on offer for every type of yogi. Yoga styles include Tantra, Hatha, Kundalini, Bhakti, Astanga and more, all of which are practised in Rukshan’s stunning yoga Shala.
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Soul Yoga
For a more immersive yoga experience, consider taking part in one of Soul Yoga’s weekend retreats while you’re in Mirissa. These 48-hour courses take place from Friday to Sunday and are expertly put together to help deepen your spiritual practice. Focusing on rest, relaxation and contemplation, the Soul Yoga retreat will guide you through a journey of physical yoga, breathing practises and meditation. Every type of yogi is welcomed to Soul Yoga retreats, where skilled and experienced teachers can offer tailored individual instruction. Whether you want to take your first steps on the road to becoming a yogi or fine-tune your practice, this is a beautiful way to spend a weekend in Mirissa!
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Mirissa Yoga
Kundalini yoga blends spiritual and physical practice to awaken Kundalini energy, a primal form of energy located at the base of the spine. This yoga style focuses on breathing and movement and involves tantra, mantra and meditation, as well as physical yoga.
This deeply spiritual style of yoga is relatively new in the West and requires a skilled and experienced master to guide beginners through the basics. If Kundalini is something you’d like to try out in Mirissa, you’re in luck! Marta Blanco del Rio is a skilled Kundalini master, and your go-to for both beginner and advanced classes. Her workshops and retreats are fantastic for deepening your understanding of Kundalini, and her classes are tailored to suit every level of learner. Check out Mirissa Yoga to learn more!
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Ella
Sri Lanka’s breathtaking Hill Country is sure to inspire the yogi within you. The rolling, green hills and luscious tea plantations of Ella create a tranquil atmosphere that feels almost other-worldly. Connecting with your inner spirituality in such as magical location is easy – and even more so with the help of Ella’s outstanding yoga instructors! The town is home to some incredible studios, but where are the best places to take a class?
Best yoga studios in Ella
Ella Yoga Hut
The daily yoga classes at Ella Yoga Hut are open to all levels of yogi, and take place every morning and evening. These are perfect for an hour of stretch and relaxation in Ella, and can give both your physical and spiritual health a boost! If you want to take your practice to the next level you can book a private class or, alternatively, consider an Ayurveda and Yoga retreat. These courses combine Ayurveda medicine, an ancient healing technique with its roots in India, with the meditative benefits of yoga. Learn more about the ancient traditions of the Indian subcontinent while treating your body and soul to a spiritual tune-up!
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Mamma Shanti
The sensational panoramic views at Mamma Shanti make an incredible backdrop for a yoga class. Take in the stunning scenery from the Shala, which includes the Ravana waterfall, Ella Rock and Little Adam’s Peak. The serenity and beauty of Mamma Shanti’s location make this one of the most desirable places in town to practise yoga and meditation. Drop by to request a single or group private class from their resident teacher!
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Arana Sri Lanka Eco Lodge and Yoga Center
The Arana Eco Lodge is set in a sensational location, nestled among the natural beauty of Ella’s countryside. Not only is this a uniquely stunning place to stay, but their on-site yoga classes are also exquisite! Set in their incredible studio framed on all sides by a sea of jungle greenery, a yoga class at Arana can detox the body and soul. The main yoga here is Kundalini, a deeply spiritual yoga style that aims to awaken the body’s primal Kundalini energy. Classes are suitable for all levels of learner and can be enjoyed by beginners and advanced yogis alike!
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Ahangama
Ahangama is one of the best places to practice yoga in Sri Lanka. This chilled-out beachside village is home to several sensational studios, all offering expertly-led classes, courses and retreats. The relaxed vibe and tranquillity of this small village will allow you to fully immerse yourself in your practice. Try it out with a drop in class or really give your mind, body and soul a workout with a course or retreat!
Best yoga studios in Ahangama
Lust Yoga
Get your blood pumping with a morning Vinyasa Flow session at Lust Yoga! This energetic class combines breathing and movement as it takes you through a series of poses and stretches. These drop-in classes are held every morning and are an invigorating way to start your day in Ahangama. Aside from Vinyasa, Lust Yoga also offers tri-weekly Yin classes and Surfer’s Yoga, a practice that’s just perfect for improving focus and balance on the board. If you’re feeling really playful, try out an Acro Yoga Jam session to push your body to new levels!
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Sunshinestories Surf & Yoga Retreat
For a seaside twist on the classic yoga retreat, check out Sunshinestories Surf & Yoga in Ahangama! The instructors at Surf & Yoga believe the two go hand in hand, perfectly complementing one another’s effects on your physical and spiritual health. When you combine the breathing, stretching and meditative practices of yoga with the balance and focus of surfing, you’ll find that your skills improve tenfold! Sunshinestories offer daily yoga classes alongside their surf classes, so you can hone and tone both your body and mind.
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SUP Yoga Sri Lanka
Get out into nature for a unique yoga class with SUP! SUP’s yoga sessions all take place in their incredible floating studio, where their skilled instructors will lead you through a series of poses on a stand-up paddleboard. This can really put your balance and focus to the test, but no worries if you’re a newbie! Even complete beginners can enjoy and benefit from a SUP yoga class, even if you’ve never tried it before. This is a one-of-a-kind yoga experience in the most sensational of natural surroundings. Get out on the water and try something new while you’re in Ahangama, for a yoga class that’s unforgettably fun.
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Best yoga retreats and wellness centres in Sri Lanka
Ulphotha Yoga & Ayurveda Retreat
Where? Embogama (50km east of Dambulla)
If you’re looking for a yoga retreat in Sri Lanka, Ulpotha is one of the world’s finest! This sensational retreat is set Sri Lanka’s oldest inhabited region and has a firm focus on preserving the area’s breathtaking natural beauty. This self-sustained village is dedicated to sustainability, with all food and supplies sourced on-site or from nearby areas.
Ulpotha is all about achieving contentment through simplicity, clean living and spiritual practices. Their yoga teachers are among the best in the world and come from a global background to impart their knowledge in the areas of Hatha, Iyengar, Astanga and Sivananda. Ulpotha also has an incredible Ayurveda centre, where guests can indulge in a wide range of therapeutic treatments.
Ulpotha seamlessly combines sustainability with elegant luxury. Escape into perfect tranquillity with a rejuvenating stay at one of Sri Lanka’s most picturesque yoga retreats!
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Sen Wellness Sanctuary
Where? Netolpitiya (South coast)
Slip away from the real world with a trip to the Sen Wellness Sanctuary, a haven of tranquillity on Sri Lanka’s gorgeous southern coast. Sen offers a range of blissful treatments and therapies, all focussed on helping you achieve inner peace, mindfulness, and wellness. Yoga classes are held daily in their breathtaking Yoga Shala, a breezy, open space surrounded by cleansing greenery. Their various wellness programs combine yoga and meditation with a range of holistic and Ayurvedic therapies, to promote harmony between the body and mind.
A retreat at Sen Wellness Center can be instrumental in fine-tuning the spiritual, physical, emotional and mental health. Book yourself onto one of their programs to enjoy the full benefits of their professional and luxurious services!
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Talalla Retreat
Where? Talalla (Southern coast)
Talalla is one of the most relaxing locations on Sri Lanka’s south coast and is well known for it’s idyllic beach and luxury accommodation. The area is also home to a fabulous wellness retreat, where you can detox, practise yoga, and indulge in some much-needed R&R. Talalla Retreat is the ideal place to shake off your stresses and lose yourself in yoga, meditation and mindfulness. They offer a wide range of workshops, all led by experienced teachers in the most tranquil of locations. Even better, Talalla Retreats also have an on-site spa where you can spoil yourself with a variety of luxurious treatments.
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