YTT July - August 2014

Getting ready for the Yoga Teacher Training

Dear YTT students, Namaste!

Only few weeks left before the yoga teacher training at Vikasa begins, and we can understand your
excitement!

We are sure that you will enjoy Kostas teaching and will nd the course physically challenging yet
spiritually nourishing and transformational. Time to get ready and make the most of your stay on a
magnicent Koh Samui island.

Contacts
In case of arrival delays and last minute changes please save these contacts below
.
# Reception +66 77 422 322
# Alisa +66 81 814 9947
# Bunny +66 86 019 2346

Postal address
Vikasa Yoga Retreat
211 Moo 4, Maret, Koh Samui
Suratthani 84310
Thailand

Location
Vikasa is located by the ocean side on the ring road between Lamai and Chaweng Noi beaches.
Right next is Samui Cli$ View Hotel, and opposite theres a Muay Thai boxing school and Sky Gym.
We are 20 minutes drive away from Koh Samui International airport, and 35 minutes drive from both
Nathon and Lipa Noi ferry terminals.

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Balance payment
Please pay the remaining balance for your course if any via bank transfer before 6 June. Feel free to
contact us If you are unsure about the amount. Once again our banking details are presented below

Beneciary Bank Name : HSBC Hong Kong
Beneciary Bank Address : 1 Queens Road Central, Hong Kong
Beneciary Account Name : Zen Travel Ltd.
Beneciary Account Number : 848 - 547790 - 838
Swift Code : HSBCHKHHHKH
Bank Code : 004 (optional)

We would appreciate if you could send a scan of your bank payment instruction once paid at your
bank or a PDF version if paid online. Please forward your conrmation to [email protected]

Course schedule
All students check-in on Sunday 13 July. Same evening at 8pm everyone is welcome to join our
signature oolong tea ceremony at Vikasa lounge area. The course will begin on Monday morning
14 July at 8am in a big yoga pavilion. You will receive other instructions including a detailed course
schedule then. Graduation will takes place on 9 August, check-out is on 10 August. Each Saturday
will be a day o$ to recharge your batteries. Sounds good?

Extension of stay
If you would like to extend your stay, please let us know asap in case you havent done it yet. Please
keep in mind that theres no availability of earlier check-in during this time unfortunately, only
extension of stay after 10 August. For all booking inquiries please write to [email protected]

Course materials
All course materials can be easily downloaded here www.evolutionofyoga.com/stu$. Password is
vikasattc. Theres no need to print out anything, copies will be provided when you arrive at Vikasa.

Yoga mats and supplies
Yoga mats and other supplies are available on the spot. Unless your yoga mat is wicked and has a
Batman logo at the centre of it theres no need to bring it along if you dont want to! :)

Airport pickup
Please dont forget to send us your ight details (ight number, arrival time) to arrange your airport
pickup. Once you collect your luggage please follow a Meeting Point sign (turn left and walk through
an open-air tunnel) until you reach the main pickup point and taxi. Our driver should be there holding
the Vikasa Yoga sign. If you dont nd him straight away please wait a little bit, he is probably on his
way back after dropping o$ another student. Otherwise please contact the phone numbers above.

Flights
If you havent purchased your ights yet, its about time to do so! You can get to Koh Samui via
.
# 2 direct ights from Singapore daily (Silkair and BangkokAir)
# 2 direct ights from Kuala Lumpur daily (Firey and BangkokAir)
# 2 direct ights from Hong Kong daily (BangkokAir)
.
- at least 10 daily ights from Bangkok with BangkokAir&
- see ights via Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, as these are often cheaper.&
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Alternatively there's an option to y cheap with AirAsia to Suratthani International Airport located on
mainland. From where you will need to take a bus to Donsak pier, then ferry or speedboat to Koh
Samui, and then taxi to VIKASA.

Arriving by boat
If you arrive by a boat or ferry, please arrange your own transportation to Vikasa. Please dont pay
more than 500 Baht for the taxi. Make sure to mention that Vikasa is located next to Samui Cli$ View
hotel. This direction tip is more than enough to get you here!
Visa arrangements
Standard tourist visa upon arrival is normally valid for 30 days upon arrival to Thailand without prior
application for the most of passport holders. Please consult a Thai embassy representative in your
home country just to double-check. To extend your visa duration you have several options:
.
# 7 day extension of stay. You can apply at the local Samui Immigration o'ce for a 1 week
extension. This normally takes a few hours at the o'ce and cots 1.900 Baht.
# Overstay and pay ne at departure. You can just pay a small fee of 500 Baht / per day of
overstay when you are leaving the country. This procedure is pretty straightforward, and only
requires a small amount of cash on hand. There is a special counter for that in every airport as it is
a very common practice, so do not worry about it at all. Just save enough and have the cash ready
at airport for the amount of days you have overstayed.

Weather
Koh Samui climate is tropical and high in both temperature and humidity. Most people nd it
pleasant. The average temperature is about 30 degrees Celsius, or 86 degrees Fahrenheit. When it is
getting too hot, just enter an air conditioned room and you will "recharge your batteries". A dip in a
pool can also be very refreshing. Remember to drink a lot of water so you don't become dehydrated.
You will experience "summer temperatures" here year round. On some days you might nd yourself
in a refreshing tropical shower for a moment. The rain showers are often short and as island's water
supplies are nite, the rain is needed and important.

What to take with you
Lets start with what you dont need to bring rst. There will be towels available in each room
including one beach towel. We also provide with a set of shampoos and soaps that are relled
regularly. We might not have your favourite brand though! Please bring your required set of personal
hygiene items but dont worry in case you forget something. There are plenty of shops you can buy
practically anything on Koh Samui. Please note that there are no hairdryers in the rooms so please
bring one if necessary. A lot of comfortable clothes that is easy to wash and dry will come handy for
your daily yoga practice. Otherwise you wont actually need a lot of garment other than t-shirts and
shorts, light dresses, and of course ip ops. The temperature rarely drops below 24 Celsius, or 75
Fahrenheit, even at night, so no sweaters or jackets please. Dont forget about sunblock and bikinis!

Money
Local currency in Thailand is Thai Baht. You dont need to bring a lot of cash with you. Banking
infrastructure is well-developed on Koh Samui. There are save and reliable ATMs on very corner that
accept all types of cards, VISA and Masercard preferred. You can also exchange your home currency
at any bank easily.

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Shopping
Prices on your typical groceries including tropical fruits are most likely to be a lot cheaper than back
at home. There are 7/11s and Family Marts that are open 24 hours on every corner in Koh Samui.
Sometimes 2 or 3 on one corner! Theres also a great new open-air shopping mall Central Festival
where you can buy anything from beach clothes to electronics and cameras. It is located 15 minutes
drive from Vikasa. Not to mention plenty of cute little shops in Chaweng and Lamai beaches, which
are the two most busiest areas in Koh Samui just 10 minutes drive from Vikasa. Finally each Friday
theres a laid back night market that is opened in Fishermans Village that is an absolute must-visit.

Telecommunications
You can easily acquire prepaid local SIM card at any 7-11 or Family mart. We recommend AIS One-
Two-Call or DTAC Happy. All SIM cards are 3G ready allowing you to browse Internet at very
reasonable speed and rates. Dont forget that theres a free WiFi throughout Vikasa resort.

Laundry
Laundry service is outsourced with a next day delivery in most of the cases. Rates for doing laundry
are very cheap so dont worry about maintaining your hygiene requirements. However as we are
using outside service providers please try to avoid bringing expensive clothes just to be on a safe
side.

Mosquitos
Vikasa premises are sprayed against mosquitos once a week so you shouldnt expect to be bothered
by it. Just remember to close your room door during sunrise and sunset hours when the mosquitos
are usually active. If anything mosquito repellants are available in any pharmacy which are many on
the island.

Preparing for yoga teacher training course
Our best advise would be to practise yoga as much as possible while enjoying the process.&We also
recommend the following books if you would like to align your body and mind before coming. Its not
a must and you dont have to bring them with you of course.
.
# B.K.S. Iyengar - Light on Yoga
# Ray Long - Scientic Keys: the Key muscles of Hatha Yoga Vol 1
# Swami Sivananda - Bliss Divine
# Swami Swatmarama - Hatha Yoga Pradipika
# Yoga Sutras of Patanjali


FINALLY HERE IS WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

# Conrmed arrival and departure dates
# Your ight details (ight number, arrival time)
# Payment of balance for the course, if any
# Registration form, in case you forgot

Feel free to email [email protected] if you have other questions.

Namaste, Vikasa team
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