What is Kailash Akhara?

Kailash Akhara is the home of Adi-yoga, located in Phu Rua, Loei Province, Thailand.  Again, designed by the principles of permaculture, Kailash Akhara is a beautiful, 40 acre, center – with expansive mountain views and gorgeous landscape – that is conducive to the retreat practices of yoga and meditation.  Kailash Akhara currently consists of a large temple/training hall for yoga and meditation, a dormitory that comfortably houses up to 60 people, a fully functioning kitchen and bath house, a traditional house for Tantrik fire ceremonies, ponds for swimming and aquaculture, and organic gardens.  In addition to buildings for land maintenance, this description concludes phase 1 of Kailash Akhara.

Phase 2 of the construction of Kailash Akhara, to begin shortly, will include two more temples: one, dedicated purely to the practice of meditation, and the other dedicated to the Ten Wisdom Goddesses of the Tantrik tradition.  Additionally, there will be a medical clinic for the practice of natural medicinal systems such as Aryuveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as two libraries, one to house the texts of the tradition and one to display the vast collection of sacred art that has been amassed by the school over the years. Finally, Kailash Akhara hopes to serve the local community by creating a school and orphanage for young people who are, for various reasons, in need of special attention and care.

Kailash Akhara is named after Mount Kailash, of the Himalayan mountain range, which is said to be the home of Shiva, the primordial Teacher of the practice of Yoga.  The term Akhara was chosen due to its specific emphasis of denoting a center that is designated for seriously committed and dedicated practitioners of Yoga who are intent on realizing their inherent state of enlightenment so that they may serve as a benefit to all beings who are suffering. Traditionally, not just anyone could show up to an Akhara.  To come and practice at an Akhara you had to be referred by a trustworthy source, and you would likely have to prove your own worth through arduous tests.  While it is not possible or desirable for Kailash Akhara to maintain such a standard in a modern context, the name is meant to convey a flavor of such a level of commitment and dedication.