The invitation to attend a three-day yoga retreat at Knai Bang Chatt, a seaside resort tucked along Cambodia\u2019s southern coastline in Kep, was hard to resist.<\/p>\n
The words \u201cyoga nidra\u201d called to me; I am not yet a yogi, but I had experienced this \u201csleep yoga\u201d before. The promise of meditation, breathwork and sound healing also appealed to my stressed-out self. Still, I had reservations about travelling solo, my lack of experience and even my clothing choices.<\/p>\n
Those worries evaporated the moment I stepped out of the car after a scenic 2.5-hour ride from the new Techo International Airport south of the capital, Phnom Penh. A beaming woman introduced herself: \u201cI\u2019m Lana, can I give you a hug?\u201d<\/p>\n
Lana Yang, the resort\u2019s wellness manager, had read my pre-visit survey and knew the kind of welcome I needed. As we toured the grounds \u2013 taking in the three restored 1950s villas, the pool, organic herb garden, a yoga sala and the waterside restaurants \u2013 she detailed the history and principles of this \u201cregenerative\u201d centre.<\/p>\n
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<\/div>We walked past new artists\u2019 residences that are part of a new \u201cArt for Kep\u201d initiative, and she pointed out the watersports centre and sailing school, noting that guests often explore the coast on kayaks or paddleboards, and some earn a sailing certificate over two days.<\/p>\n
In the world of high-end wellness, it is easy to find practitioners with impressive certifications. It is far rarer to find a guide like Yang, whose expertise is a lived geography.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n