My very first time traveling to Southeast Asia was in 1999, when I accompanied a friend to Laos, and then further onto Udon Thani, a province in the North of Thailand that very quickly gave me the sensation of ‘coming home’. However, while it was a beautiful place, I couldn’t help but to miss one crucial element; the beach. So, I took another leap and headed towards the South of Thailand to visit an old friend residing on Koh Phangan. My first impressions of this paradise remain to this day; warm breezes, towering coconut palms, incredible sunsets, comfortably warm seas, a sense of freedom within and people I will never forget. Even 20 years ago, there was a huge variety of food available influenced by many cuisines.
What really appeals to me about Koh Phangan is its prominent status in the world of yoga. While I have always had spiritual leanings, I was reticent to commit to any single practice. I have been exhibiting at the Om Yoga Show in London for the past 14 years, and after eventually seeing so many teaching demonstrations over the years, I became to understand the core essence, regardless of the different schools of thoughts, different styles and names that keep popping up. I have been told that meditation and yoga facilitate the spiritual way of life, and after many years of an “I know better” stubbornness, I have to acknowledge that it is true.
Comfort and relaxation in meditation is key. I have been importing Thai cushions to a prominent UK market for the last 15 years. It was only a couple of years ago that I founded Marc Dieux cushions, which far exceeded comfort from any other I had tried before. These meditation cushions are great for the back, and I designed a speciality mat which doubles as a carrying case, allowing you to use the cushion on a river banks, on the beach, up on mountain rocks, or any other hidden corner of paradise you can find. I am thrilled to be able to offer these Marc Dieux cushions to islanders.
life forces
Don’t expect it to be busy here; exploration is a natural curiosity of the soul and I myself have not stayed here for longer than three months at any time. You may end up like me, wanting to root myself further onto the land to learn to speak Thai well and take life more easily, as is very much possible to do here. Don’t expect party revellers who don’t respect other people’s differences in their way of life; I open my doors to people who have an understanding and acceptance of how life is and who can share the space without creating a vortex of disturbance. I want others to benefit from the experience of being here, to absorb and enjoy the energies and life forces that manifest on this island.