yoga

65

december 2018 / january 2019

yogajournal.com.sg

HARIHARALAYA, CAMBODIA

Named after the Cambodian interpretation of Harihara, a Hindu deity that bears
attributes of gods Shiva and Vishnu, Hariharalaya dates back to 800–1000 AD as the
Vedic capitol of Cambodia. The little village, just 10 miles and a 30-minute tuk tuk
ride from Siem Reap, is also home to the Hariharalaya Retreat Center (from $260 for
a 6-day retreat with vegan meals and activities). The center hosts over 40 retreats
each year that focus on Integral Yoga, Meditation and Conscious Living.

“It’s not just about the physical, it’s very much about working on incorporating
yoga into your everyday life,” says Anna Strahs Watts, yoga instructor in Richmond,
Virginia, who spent 3 months at Hariharalaya last fall. “That’s what separates
Hariharalaya from other places. The idea isn’t to just come for a week and leave;
it’s about creating new habits to change your life.” Unlike other locations, this
remote village was only recently introduced to electricity, which means that you
won’t be hooked up to Wi-Fi, making it a prime location for a digital detox. Less
than a mile from the retreat center is the Bakong Temple, which represents the
mythical creatures in Hindu and Buddhist mythology. And, of course, no visit to
Southeast Asia would be complete without a stop at nearby Angkor Wat, the largest
archeological temple site in the world.