Discover Vikasa – a transformative wellness retreat and teacher training facility perched on a stunning clifftop with ocean views. Founded by Kosta, Vikasa blends traditional Hatha yoga with meditation, breathwork, and holistic wellness programs.
Tell us about Vikasa. Why was it founded and what makes it special?
Kosta’s journey to yoga was similar to that of many others- he was searching. Working as a DJ and living a lifestyle that revolved around partying, drugs and alcohol, Kosta knew that deep down, he was empty, burnt out, unhappy and lost. When his physical health started to decline, he knew he needed a drastic change. He embarked on a journey to Thailand where he trained in Muay Thai boxing - the most drastic thing he could think of doing. Over 3 months, he felt his physical health return and his mental clarity switch on again. Yet, within a short amount of time back home, his health issues resurfaced.
His next search took him to an Ayurvedic retreat in India. On his first day he attended yoga. He returned to class the next day, and the next, and then consecutively for 50 days. One day when the regular teacher didn’t arrive, the guests asked Kosta to guide them. At the end of the class, they suggested he should become a yoga teacher. And the rest is history.
Kosta quit his destructive lifestyle and continued with yoga and meditation instead. He went on to study with five different yoga schools and through this journey, he noticed massive shifts in his life. He discovered a deep sense of peace, started to trust his intuition, and enjoyed being present in each moment.
Kosta came to see yoga as a tool for evolution and this led to the concept of Vikasa (meaning, “evolution” in Sanskrit). What started with very humble roots as a small yoga studio in a remote part of Koh Samui, grew to become something much bigger. On 11.11.11 the first Vikasa Yoga school opened its doors and today, Vikasa is now a global community, a highly regarded yoga academy, a unique lifestyle, and a place for others to come and discover their own purpose and potential.
This is what makes Vikasa special- beyond the incredible location and the world-class facilities, this is a space where people come to move deeper within, to peel back the layers, to push their boundaries and to reconnect. This journey is deeply personal, yet it is also collective.
Community is at the heart of Vikasa and we attract people from all over the world, from all walks of life, people who are seeking, just like Kosta, something more to life. Whether guests visit for a day, or stay for a month-long training, they cannot help but transform through the combination of yoga, nature, the healthy lifestyle, and the people that become family. Vikasa gets under your skin and becomes a place that you simply want to return to again and again. Transformation isn't a by-product of the Vikasa experience, it is consciously embedded in every single element of the journey.
In this way, Vikasa isn’t just about yoga. It’s a philosophy and a way of life - something that people can take back home with them and use to elevate every area of their lives in a sustainable way.
Can you describe the setting, location and accommodations? And the various activities/experiences available?
Vikasa is located on Koh Samui, a stunning topical island in the Gulf of Thailand. The island is known for its pristine white-sand beaches, clear oceans, breathtaking waterfalls and lush jungle. The island is globally renowned as a popular wellness destination, offering a plethora of healthy lifestyle options however it also retains its sense of locality and charm with Thai temples, street markets and culture infused in daily life.
Vikasa is perched high on a clifftop, and we are very fortunate to have some of the most dramatic ocean views that can be found on the island. Our daily yoga classes are held in the oceanfront White Prana Sala. The style of yoga that we practice at Vikasa is called The Vikasa Method. Anchored in the traditional Hatha yoga lineage, the Vikasa Method offers a strong yet accessible yoga practice with a keen focus on breath, energetics and a shift from the external to the internal. Our classes are characterized by long asana holds, slow but graceful, flowing movement, closed eyes and verbal cues to guide the breath and encourage inner reflection and contemplation. Classes always begin with meditation, pranayama and yoga kriyas or cleansing rituals, before moving into a full asana practice and ending with a lengthy (read, heavenly) savasana! To enhance the immersive experience of the practice, our own Vikasa music has been designed to support the connection between breath, mental state and focus. It is a powerful experience and one of the key reasons people love to practice with us.
The hub of Vikasa is really the Life Cafe which offers a vibrant community space alongside healthy and flavoursome cuisine, all designed by our award-winning plant-based chef Boris Lauser. On the menu you’ll find locally brewed coffee, signature superfood smoothies and juices, abundant salads, unique main dishes and guilt-free desserts. Guests can sip a matcha latte and journal as the sunrises, or lounge in the beanbag area with a slice of vegan chocolate cheesecake with a good book or simply admire the stunning ocean views.
Days unfold with a relaxed and casual vibe -inspired by our island location! Guests can sip a cold coconut and soak up some sunshine by the infinity pool, explore the private secret beach, or push their boundaries with a guided breathwork and icebath journey in the natural clifftop ice bath. Indulging in a massage at the Vita Spa is an absolute must. The menu offers treatments inspired by local Thai healing traditions, as well as modern holistic therapies including reiki and sound healing.
All of our rooms at Vikasa are designed to promote relaxation and soak up the natural beauty of the island lifestyle. There are a range of different accommodation options - from our popular Yoga Caves right through to beachfront Prana Cabana rooms which have a more spacious hotel vibe. Rooms have all the creature comforts guests need for their yoga stay and by the end of the day they can enjoy a delicious dinner, wind down with a group sound healing or yoga nidra class and then slip off to sleep with the gentle lull of the ocean - we don’t think it gets any better than this ;)
Specifically about the YTT's, please describe the teaching method, various options, levels and styles available.
At Vikasa we have a year-round schedule that offers a diverse range of specialised yoga teacher trainings, unique yoga retreats and personalised wellness programs. This means we have something to suit everyone- from those ready to dip their toes into the world of yoga, to those seeking a much more advanced and in-depth yoga journey.
In terms of the yoga teacher training programs, The Vikasa Academy offers beginner, advanced and specialised trainings that all meet and exceed Yoga Alliance requirements.
The 200hr foundation training is really our signature training and is open to all levels. This is the first step for anyone looking to embark on the exciting journey from yoga student to yoga teacher. We welcome people from all walks of life and all ages and this is really a journey of personal evolution with the bonus factor that you emerge as a fully qualified, confident and enthusiastic yoga teacher. Our 200hr graduates also get to take home our 200hr online training so they have added support anytime they need it as they step into their next chapter as teachers.
The 300hr advanced training is one of our most popular offerings and attracts those who are ready to expand their personal practice and also enrich and hone their unique teaching skills. This is 31 days onsite with our senior teachers and is a beautiful opportunity for those already with experience in yoga and teaching to come together in a supportive community space and grow - together and individually.
The various 100hr trainings offer options for teachers to up-skill in new ways, or are an opportunity for yoga enthusiasts to simply immerse in a 12 day yoga experience. The 100hr options include Vikasa Yin, Vikasa Flow, Refresh, Meditation and some new offerings on the horizon for 2026 too!
All of the Vikasa Academy trainings are held in our famous Black Lotus Sala. Perched high on a clifftop, this space offers unfettered views of the expansive ocean and golden sunrise, the perfect way to start any day at Vikasa. Our trainings are all inclusive, meaning once students choose their room type, the price covers the accommodation, full training program, all manuals, our incredible sunset catamaran graduation, delicious and abundant twice daily meals, all activities and excursions within the course and ongoing support. We are incredibly passionate about supporting our graduates after they leave Vikasa, and we have a monthly program to offer educational content to keep teachers and practitioners inspired and supported on their path.
Now a bit about other projects Vikasa is establishing—can you tell us about the space in Phuket?
Since operating our very first yoga teacher training in Koh Samui in 2011, Vikasa has continued to grow, diversify and evolve. When a small island paradise off the coast of Rawai in Phuket was presented to us, we knew in a heartbeat that this would be the second location for our next Vikasa!
Nestled in the Andaman Sea, Phuket is an island of azure waters and emerald jungles. The new Vikasa - opening mid to late 2026 - is accessible from the mainland of Phuket via a traditional long-tail boat. This short 5 minute boat journey signals a transition; an invitation for guests to leave behind the hustle of daily life, the cacophony of travel that preceded them and to set their sights ahead to a place that inspires wellness, connection and transformation.
The new Phuket location merges modern elegance and architectural flair, all amidst stunning nature and absolute beachfront. This will be home to our trainings, Vikations and Personal Wellness Programs, as well as offering a space for other yoga teachers and retreat hosts to bring their own groups. With 100 rooms and a huge array of wellness facilities- including 4 yoga shalas, a pool, Life Cafe, Vita Spa, open air gym and recovery center - there is space for everyone to enjoy this stunning yoga paradise.
Of course, guests will be welcomed and supported by a team of experienced Western wellness professionals and Thai hospitality staff, offering an opportunity to detach from the outside world and experience something truly different. We cannot wait to bring people together here. All on Manduka yoga mats of course!
Do you have any upcoming retreats, special events, or seasonal offerings you’d like to share with our community?
Yes! We run events all year round and have a full schedule of yoga teacher trainings and set date group retreats, as well as our Vikations and Personal Programs which are available to book any time of the year. For anyone who cannot join us right now in Koh Samui, we do also have an online studio where you can access our yoga classes and get a taste of The Vikasa Method.
We would love to offer one lucky Manduka community member a chance to win a place on one of our 100hr trainings! Choose from 100hr Vikasa Yin, 100hr Vikasa Flow, 100hr Refresh or 100hr Meditation Training.
These are perfect for yoga teachers wanting to up-skill or also wonderful simply as an in-depth yoga immersion. No pre-qualifications required.
For the wider Manduka community, we would love to offer everyone a $100 discount on any of our Vikasa Academy teacher training programs or our Signature Retreats. On the application form simply use the code MANDUKA. This $100 can be used in addition to early bird rates too for an even bigger discount!
Why did you choose to partner with Manduka?
For the longest time, all of our senior Vikasa teachers have loved the Manduka pro mats. They practice on them on a daily basis and it just made perfect sense to us to establish a partnership with Manduka.
We see Manduka as our equal - two businesses that are passionate about being leaders and light bearers in the yoga world. There are also three specific reasons why we wanted to partner with Manduka.
Firstly is quality, there is simply no doubt that these mats are the best in the world! We also like to feel that at Vikasa, we offer the highest quality yoga teacher trainings and yoga experiences for our students and guests.
Secondly, sustainability. We love the fact that the Manduka mats are latex free and made with zero harmful omissions. Furthermore, they are so durable they come with a lifetime warranty, meaning we won’t be contributing to landfill with old mats. This philosophy goes hand in hand with our own ethics and approach to sustainability at Vikasa, where we do what we can to limit our footprint and honor the natural environment in every way we can.
Last but not least, community. Manduka are not just about yoga mats but they are also very much about community and about creating forums for yoga teachers to be supported and celebrated. At Vikasa we are exactly the same. Vikasa is all about yoga teachers and yoga practitioners and providing pathways for full time employment for yoga teachers. We want to partner with Manduka in this mission to create and build strong yoga communities all over the world. We see a lot of exciting opportunities with Manduka ongoing. Having the mats onsite is only just the beginning. We look forward to establishing a scholarship fund to support people to train to become yoga teachers and a host of other interesting projects - the sky is the limit. We are so excited to welcome everyone that comes to Vikasa to experience Manduka and hopefully, grab their own Manduka mat once they get back home too.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the Manduka community?
One of our slogans at Vikasa is ‘happiness is a choice.’ We say this to encourage people to remember their own power of choice - that in any moment, no matter what is happening, we always have the power to look at life in a certain way. We can allow the dark parts of life to close our hearts and minds and impact the way we see the world in a negative way, or we can focus on the light, the inherent goodness that can be found in any situation. One of the reasons why people feel so impacted and inspired by Vikasa (and return again and again) is this reminder - that we have everything within us we need to be happy. It's such a simple thing yet it is so easy to forget in modern daily life where we are constantly asked to look outside of ourselves for answers and inherently made to feel isolated and lacking. Yoga is one of the best ways we can return to our natural state, to keep our minds and hearts open, to stay connected to our inner voice and remind us that we are not alone- we’re in this together.
We hope to welcome the Manduka community to come and join us here in Koh Samui, Thailand! We may be biased, but we think it’s certainly one of the best places in the world where you can practice on a Manduka PRO yoga mat ;)
Listen
Connect
- Website: www.vikasa.com
- Instagram: @VikasaYoga
- Learn more about our partnership here
- Meet the lead teachers at Vikasa here
- Location: 211 Moo 4, Maret, Suratthani, Thailand, 84310
- Offering: Yoga Classes, Yoga Vacations, Signature Retreats, Personal Wellness Programs, Yoga Teacher Trainings (50hr, 100hr, 200hr, 300hr) All based on The Vikasa Method.
Learn more about Manduka Partner Programs here
