The Story Behind Lanka Yoga
About Us
Tucked into the mangrove-lined shores of Koggala Lake, Lanka Yoga is a purpose-built sanctuary designed by teachers, for teachers. The shala, guest rooms and garden were mapped out in 2020 — right in the middle of a global stand-still — so that retreats and 200-hour trainings could finally happen exactly as we always dreamed: spacious, serene and in partnership with the land around us.
How Lanka Yoga Came to Be
Six years of leading teacher trainings across Asia taught founder Stefan Camilleri that a venue can either lift the learning experience sky-high… or quietly clip its wings. In early 2020 he signed a long-term lease and broke ground on a centre that ticked every box — light-filled shala, luxury dorms, plenty of nature to wander into between sessions. Then COVID hit.
Construction pushed on through lockdowns, shipping delays and curfews. Materials arrived by tuk-tuk when needed; building crews slept on-site to keep quarantines intact. The setbacks were brutal, but each one forged the resilience and creativity we now share with every guest who steps onto the mat here. By mid 2021 the doors opened — and the first trainees told us we'd built the space they'd been searching for.
Why We Move
We exist to make things better – for the environment, for the students and guests who trust us with their growth, and for the team that pours heart and craft into every retreat. When those three threads braid together, yoga becomes more than just movement — it becomes a practice of caring for the planet and each other.
Nurture People
Provide training and retreat experiences that send practitioners home clearer, stronger and kinder than when they arrived.
Regenerate Place
Operate in active partnership with our ecosystem, proving that a hospitality business can restore more than it takes.
Empower Community
Offer fair wages, 10% service charge, medical insurance, holiday pay, ongoing education and a workplace rooted in respect, so our staff thrive alongside our guests.
Our Commitment to Sustainability
We make a considerable effort to minimise any negative impact on the environment and give back more than we take.
Land Management
We prioritised preserving green space during construction by building the guest block underground and replanting greenery on top, restoring the wilderness through soil and plant regeneration.
Overall Design & Build
Our buildings emphasise natural cooling to eliminate the need for energy-intensive air conditioning, reducing power reliance and enhancing natural airflow.
Water Management
We capture, treat and reuse rainwater. Taps and showers conserve water, solar heaters warm it, and a wastewater plant converts all water into nutrient-rich water for our garden.
Power Usage & Solar
Energy-efficient buildings and appliances, plus a 9.5kW solar system that covers half of our power needs — reducing our carbon footprint and energy costs.
Trash Minimisation
Our waste-management initiative serves over 70 homes, promoting responsible disposal through education, tools and eco-friendly collection.
Growing Our Own Food
Mature fruit trees and a vegetable and spice garden give us fresh produce year-round, with homemade compost creating a cyclical nutrient loop.
