Before opening our yoga studio in Ella, Sri Lanka, we scouted several other yoga studios around Colombo to discover what makes a studio truly stand out from others.
Having India (Yoga birthplace) as a close neighboring country, Sri Lanka offers an even better place for yoga retreats, TTC, and relaxing holidays. Compared to other locations Yoga studios in Sri Lanka have fewer crowds, better surrounding environment and topical natural beauty and wildlife making this the ideal place for learning yoga.
In this post I have compiled a list of top 7 yoga teacher training schools in Sri Lanka so you don’t have to spend hours finding and comparing them. The aim of this guide is to help you plan your next journey smoothly and effort less.
Comparison of the Best Yoga Studios Around Colombo, Sri Lanka
For a quick glance for those who did not want to read all the lengthy articles, quick pick from the comparison table for best yoga schools in Sri Lanka and make quick decisions.
| Yoga Centers | Best For | Pricing | Website |
| Shivalaya Yoga Ashram | Visit | ||
| Lanka Yoga Retreat | Lakefront yoga & retreats | €900 per person for 6 nights | Visit |
| Barefoot Yoga School | 200Hr YTT, Small group | 100HR modules from €1,400 | Visit |
| Surf & Yoga, Sri Lanka | Surfing & Yoga holidays | €300 for 3 nights | Visit |
| Welikande Yoga Retreats | Nature Retreats | $110 per person/night | Visit |
| Ulpotha Yoga & Ayurveda Retreat | Yoga & Ayurveda | $400+ per person | Visit |
| Ella Retreat Hotel | Nature Retreat & Food | LKR 42679.66, for 2 nights | Visit |
Note: The pricing may vary depending upon the course, duration, accommodation, and inclusions. So please check the current pricing from the website or contact the school for better understanding.
Top 7 Best Yoga Spots in Sri Lanka (Ella)
Stop searching on google which is the best place to practice yoga in Sri Lanka? I have organized all in a chronicle way so you can make smarter decisions. Compare and plan your next holiday now.
Shivalaya Yoga Ashram (Ella, Sri Lanka)
Shivalaya Yoga Ashram is a newly established yoga school in Ella, Sri Lanka, backed by the experience of its established center in Pokhara, Nepal, which has been operating since 2015.
Having trained 1,000+ students through Yoga Teacher Training courses and hosted numerous yoga retreats in Nepal, the school now brings its experience to Sri Lanka, offering yoga training and retreats in a friendly environment surrounded by Ella’s scenic natural beauty.
Lanka Yoga Retreat
Lanka Yoga is yet another incredible yoga center at Koggala Lake in southern Sri Lanka. Surrounded by natural beauty and jungle, the center offers a calm environment for going deeper in your yoga practice while also having everything you need for a comfortable stay .
They offer yoga teacher training programs and retreats guided by experienced international teachers and gurus. The highlight of this place is the eye-catching lakefront shala, where student can practice yoga while enjoying the view
The place comes with comfortable accommodation with swimming pool accessibility, clean and well-maintained classes with different food options making it one of the best schools for retreats and holidays activities. Get in Touch
| Location | Koggala Lake, Southern Sri Lanka |
| Best for | Yoga Teacher Training, Yoga Retreats, Wellness & Healthy Living. |
| Pricing | Starts from €900 per person for a 6-night retreat. |
Barefoot Yoga School
Barefoot Yoga School is basically a small nature-focused yoga place in Ahangama, on Sri Lanka’s south coast. They run 200 hour and 300 hour Yoga Teacher Trainings and also a 50 hour Breathwork & Ice Bath training, which is different compared to the usual stuff.
What I liked is that the groups are kept small on purpose, so you get this more personal learning experience with teachers who are actually experienced, plus you get quality food and also comfortable accommodation.
Barefoot also really leans into sustainability and community, like they donate 5% of each YTT deposit to local projects, and they support the people around the school too. Get in Touch
| Location | Ahangama, Sri Lanka |
| Best for | 200HR Yoga Teacher Training, 300HR Advanced YTT, Breathwork & Ice Bath Training |
| Pricing | 300HR YTT from €3,700, including food & accommodation; individual 100HR modules from €1,400 |
Surf & Yoga, Sri Lanka
Surf & Yoga Mirissa is kind of a unique combination of yoga and surfing with those small local experiences thrown in, all under one roof, on Sri Lanka’s gorgeous south coast.
They do daily surf coaching and yoga sessions, yes, but they also add comfortable accommodation, homemade meals, and that pretty relaxed community vibe, which makes you feel less like a tourist, more like you are actually part of it. And somehow, it works.
You can also get involved in things like Sri Lankan cooking and Sinhalese language classes, so it ends up being more than just a surf or yoga escape, it’s almost a little lived in immersion. Get in Touch
| Location | Mirissa, Sri Lanka |
| Best For | Yoga Classes, Surf Coaching, Surf & Yoga Retreats, Sri Lankan Cooking & Cultural Activities |
| Pricing | Yoga package starts form €300 for 3 nights |
Welikande Yoga Retreats
Tucked away in Sri Lanka’s scenic Knuckles Mountain Range, Welikande offers this slower kind of more immersive take on a yoga retreat, it is not that rushed vibe you might expect.
Guests can join two yoga classes each day, while their free time somehow turns into wandering around waterfalls, hiking through the mountains, learning to cook Sri Lankan food, or just absorbing local traditions.
There is also this thing it is pretty known for, the fresh plant based, farm to table meals, with quite a bit of the produce grown right on the property. Welikande feels ideal for travelers who want the yoga holiday to feel like a genuine escape, not some normal retreat set up. Get in Touch
| Location | Knuckles Mountain Range, Central Sri Lanka |
| Best for | Yoga Retreats, Daily Yoga, Hiking, Ayurveda, Sri Lankan Cooking & Wellness Activities |
| Pricing | Starting From $110 per person/night for solo travellers; all-inclusive, with a 2-night minimum |
Ulpotha Yoga & Ayurveda Retreat
Some yoga retreats give you a beautiful place to practise, but Ulpotha makes the whole setting in a more intimate way. Slip away in Sri Lanka’s countryside, this off-the-grid retreat asks you to step back from modern distractions and drift into a slower rhythm, surrounded by greenery and a kind of quiet you can almost feel.
The days are shaped around yoga, Ayurveda, nourishing traditional food and simple living, not so much about packed schedules or tourist comforts. It is the sort of place where the lack of noise, screens , and city life becomes part of the experience so Ulpotha ends up being a compelling pick for anyone who wants their yoga journey to feel like a real reset, not just another retreat you leave and then… forget. Get in Touch
| Location | Sri Lankan countryside, near the Galgamuwa area |
| Best for | Hatha/Vinyasa Yoga, Meditation, Ayurveda & Wellness Programs, & Restorative retreat |
| Pricing | $400+ per person (4 day retreat). |
Ella Retreat Hotel
If your idea of a yoga retreat is waking up to waterfalls, and not alarms, then Ella Retreat Hotel has that exact kind of escape, more or less.
It is tucked into the lush landscape of Ella, so it feels very nature orientated, and the whole thing mixes yoga plus meditation with guided hikes, traditional cookery lessons, spa time, and those quiet little pauses where your mind eases.
The retreat formats can be made to fit you, from one single day, to longer stays, so it works well for travellers who want to slow things down, breathe a bit deeper, and let Sri Lanka’s natural beauty become part of the wellness routine. Get in Touch
| Location | Galarawa, Ella, Sri Lanka |
| Best for | Nature waterfall view, Authentic Sri Lankan Food with friendly and attentive staff. |
| Pricing | Starting at LKR 42679.66, for 2 nights, including free breakfast, wifi, parking, and more. |
Which Sri Lanka Yoga Studio Would I Choose?
Finalizing the best yoga center in Sri Lanka may require some additional requirements to finalize your decision, like what is your core purpose of the visit? What specifically are you looking for? What is your budget? And all.
But to simplify your decision even more, pick these top 3 yoga spots for Colombo Sri Lanka, personally my top 3 picks.
- The first one is Shivalaya Yoga Ashram, Newly established with better amenities and accommodations focused entirely on core yoga and retreat. The first one in Pokhara Nepal running since 2015 taught yoga to 1000+ students.
- The second pick will be Surf & Yoga. I find this quite interesting, like offering yoga and surfing at the same place is a unique and fresh concept. I recommend this if you are planning for a chill and relaxing holiday.
- The third one will be Ulpotha Yoga & Ayurveda Retreat. I am quite astonished by the view and scenery they offer, making me stay even longer. The magical environment makes the whole place like heaven on earth.
To Sum Up
Sri Lanka offers some truly unique places to practice yoga, experience retreats, and different approaches to relax yourself. The vibe of every place is different with their own unique concept of relaxing and healing while enjoying the rest of your holiday. Many of them are great for short term stay and others are best for long term stays, you can get everything here.
Among all the above top 7 yoga schools, Shivalaya Yoga Ashram, Surf & Yoga, and Ulpotha Yoga & Ayurveda Retreat are my personal top picks for their unique experience and offerings.
FAQs
Which is the best yoga center in Sri Lanka?
Shivalaya Yoga Ashram is one of the best and trusted options, if you are looking for an immersive and ancient yoga experience, combining YTTC, retreat, and more.
What are the top 5 yoga schools in Sri Lanka?
Top options are Shivalaya Ashram, Ulpotha Yoga Retreat, Lanka Yoga Retreat, Barefoot Yoga School, Rila Yoga Teacher Training, each offering a different experience and style.
Is Colombo Sri Lanka good for yoga?
Yes, Colombo has good yoga centers including running daily yoga sessions, but Sri Lanka coastal and countryside locations are much better if you want a peaceful and immersive yoga experience.
What is the best yoga retreat in Sri Lanka?
Shivalaya Ashram provides the best retreat in Ella Sri Lanka, with custom retreat options also where you can fully customize your retreat as per your liking.
Which one should I choose for yoga, India or Sri Lanka?
Keep India for traditional yoga, philosophy, and TTC, while Sri Lanka offers a better combination of both nature, beaches, and waterfalls along with yoga.
How is Sri Lanka different from Bali for yoga?
Sri Lanka offers a peaceful and nature-focused experience while Bali has a larger, more developed wellness Industry.
Is Sri Lanka cheaper than India, Nepal, and Bali for yoga?
Sri Lanka can be affordable, but to be honest Nepal and India have better budget options providing retreats and YTTC and an affordable cost with additional offers.
