The practice
Yoga at Ulpotha
“Ulpotha is an oasis of harmonious coexistence between nature and human beings” · Yoga & Health
Here, at Ulpotha, people and place move in harmony. Yoga at Ulpotha is part of everyday life, not an add-on. Respected yoga teachers from around the world share their yoga practice in a grounded, authentic way. Styles vary from enlivening, flowing sequences to gentle, restorative sessions, so each season has its own character.
Yoga classes generally unfold in the open-air yoga shala accompanied by birdsong and the rustle of leaves. Mornings tend to be more energising. Evenings settle into quieter work with restorative shapes, breathwork, meditation or time to reflect or simply relax. There is time to pause, notice and simply be.
Whatever your level or experience, you’ll find warmth and clear guidance from our yoga teachers. At Ulpotha, yoga isn’t performance or competition. It’s presence, connection and quiet discovery where you tune in, switch off, and let the land and the surroundings do some of the teaching.
Ulpotha feels made for yoga and yoga retreats. Though it was never planned as a yoga retreat, a few happy turns put practice at the heart of life here. Now it's hard to imagine a place better suited to this timeless discipline.
“One of the world’s most scenic yoga retreats” Telegraph
The shala
Yoga in nature
Yoga is mainly practised in the yoga shala, an open-sided hall with a teak wood floor that lets in nature’s charms, from gentle breezes to birdsong.
Occasionally, your yoga teacher will lead you to other beautiful outdoor spots, enabling a deeper communion with nature and a profound healing experience.
The shape of a day
The rhythm
Practice frames the day without filling it. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy treatments, explore, or simply be.
Two yoga classes a day
One in the morning and one in the afternoon: mornings more energising, evenings turning towards quieter work.
Two quiet pauses
There is no yoga on Thursday afternoon or Sunday morning. Thursday afternoons are set aside for optional excursions, with transport provided. The week breathes, and so do you.
Everything provided
Luxury yoga mats and props are waiting in the yoga shala. Bring comfortable clothes that allow movement.
The yoga shala
An open-sided hall with a teak wood floor, open to the breeze, the birdsong and the jungle on every side.
On the mat
Styles & lineages
Because a different yoga teacher leads each yoga retreat, the practice on offer spans many of yoga’s living lineages. Across the season you’ll find:
- Ashtangawith Philippa Asher, Claire Saunders & Gingi Lee
- Vinyasa & Prana FlowPrana Flow with Rob Hess & Jules Jenkinson; Vinyasa Krama with Mika de Brito
- Hathawith Michael Barnes, Molly McLaughlin, Emma Peel and Samanta Duggal
- Iyengarwith Georgia Marnham
- Jivamuktiwith Michael Barnes
- Yin & restorativewith Lila Cristine, Olivia Clarke & Florentina Lam Clark
Each of our highly experienced, world-renowned yoga teachers is skilled at providing the right mix of encouragement and challenge for every individual, regardless of their yoga experience.
See the full season of yoga retreats on the retreats calendar, or meet all our yoga teachers. What you learn at Ulpotha travels with you, on the mat and in daily life.
Beyond the mat
Ayurveda alongside yoga
Wellbeing at Ulpotha includes thoughtful Ayurvedic care. You can meet with our resident Ayurvedic doctor and receive therapies that complement your yoga and support your holistic well-being.
Or simply be
You don’t have to do anything. You can rest, watch the light on the lake and let the quiet do its work. Sometimes the most powerful practice is to be here and feel the place. Tune in, switch off.
Who you’ll practise with
A home-from-home for yoga teachers
Over the years, some of the world’s most respected yoga teachers have chosen Ulpotha as their home away from home, sharing knowledge and practice with you in the most natural way.
Whoever is teaching during your yoga retreat, practice is open to all levels.
See who’s teaching, retreat by retreat
Train to teach here: the 200-hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training
A yoga week
Sunday to Sunday, yoga every day
Yoga retreats run for two weeks, Sunday to Sunday, and it’s possible to book a single week. Yoga starts and ends each day, morning and evening, with the hours in between left open for treatments, the lake, walks, or simply rest. There is no yoga on Thursday afternoon or Sunday morning, so the week can breathe.
A typical day (all times indicative; nothing here is obligatory):
- 07:00 to 07:30Tea and fruit
- 07:30 to 09:00Morning yoga, then breakfast
- From 10:00Massage, Ayurveda, swimming, reading or rest
- 12:30Lunch, then a siesta, bicycle rides or walks
- 16:00 to 17:00Tea and snacks
- 17:00 to 18:30Evening yoga, meditation or a sunset walk
- 19:00Dinner by firelight
In their words
4.9 on Google & TripAdvisor
Named the best yoga retreat in the world by The Observer, and rated 4.9 by guests on both Google and TripAdvisor.
“The yoga sessions at sunrise, the nourishing food, and the peaceful atmosphere make this place unlike anywhere else…”Dukay · Google
“Morning and evening yoga led by world class instructors… the relaxing pace of the day is in perfect harmony.”Belinda Mariotti · Google
“Our yoga teacher, Lila, was a brilliant yoga teacher and even more incredible human. I’ve never left a holiday feeling this rejuvenated.”Angie Cooper · Google
Good to know
Yoga retreat FAQ
What makes an Ulpotha yoga retreat so special?
Each yoga retreat at Ulpotha blends yoga, Ayurveda, and community living in nature. It’s not a resort or spa, it’s an authentic village experience where life follows the rhythm of the land.
How long do the yoga retreats last?
Yoga retreats at Ulpotha run for two weeks, with arrivals and departures scheduled for specific dates throughout the season. It’s possible to book one of the weeks.
What’s included in a yoga retreat?
Daily yoga (usually two classes), full-board organic vegetarian meals, daily Ayurvedic treatments (if booked as part of an Ayurvedic package), lake swims, walks, and complete rest. You’ll also have the chance to join talks, ceremonies, trips and cultural evenings.
Are beginners welcome?
Yes. Whether you’re new to yoga or an experienced practitioner, the yoga teachers at Ulpotha will meet you where you are. There’s no pressure, just space to grow and practice at your own pace.
Can I choose my yoga retreat teacher?
Yes. A different international yoga teacher leads each yoga retreat at Ulpotha, so you can pick one that feels right for you. You’ll find each teacher’s approach and background on our instructors and retreats pages.
When do the yoga retreats run?
Our yoga retreats run from November to March and June to August every year.
Is Ulpotha the best yoga retreat in the world?
We like to think so but don’t take our word for it. Ulpotha has been named as the best yoga retreat in the world by The Observer.
Teacher training
Train to teach, in the village
For thirty years we said no to a teacher training. In 2027 we are saying yes to one: 22 days and 200 hours with Samanta Duggal, 15 August to 7 September, lived at Ulpotha with karma yoga duties, days of silence and lamplight to read by. You don’t have to want to teach.
When you’re ready
Join us in the yoga shala
Choose your dates and see who will be teaching during your stay.