our story
Where dreams and passion become reality.
Meet Priyal,
the heart of our story
Priyal took a walk to his home beach with his sister when he was 18 and saw people surfing for the first time. Two days later, his late uncle Boti took him to a friend of his, Buddy, to teach him how to surf. Ever since that day, he has been simply hooked onto surfing, and he wouldn’t do anything else.
He found a passion in hosting travelling surfers since then, and giving them surf classes. After he completed his level one ISA coaching certificate in Mahabalipuram India, he became officially certified to teach. This opened up many avenues for him, along with his graduation in business management, he started the first Surf & Yoga retreat in Mirissa, Sri Lanka.
The rest of the retreats were simply magic, ask him in person when you meet him at one of our retreats!
Surf & Yoga Creators
MALTE, MICHA & LESLIE
CANGGU, Bali
Malte, Micha, and Leslie are more than business partners – they’re kindred spirits united by a shared vision: to create a space where people can come together, explore new experiences, and grow on a deeper level. Their mutual love for surfing, yoga, and the spiritual energy of Bali inspired them to begin this journey.
Each of them brings a unique essence to the experience. Micha, the artistic surfer; Malte, the grounded meditator; and Leslie, the passionate communicator – together, they infuse the retreat with warmth and authenticity, creating an atmosphere where guests feel not only welcome, but truly at home.
For Malte, Micha, and Leslie, this venture goes far beyond business. It marks a new chapter in their lives — one filled with meaningful experiences and exciting challenges. In choosing Canggu, they found a place that perfectly reflects their vision: a vibrant setting for a holistic sanctuary that nurtures mind, body, and soul.
NASTASSIA
LOMBOK & Indonesia
A few years ago, Nastassia made the bold decision to leave her career as a lawyer in Belgium behind. Guided by her love for surfing and yoga, she set out on a journey across the world. From Europe to Asia, she became part of the Surf & Yoga Retreats family, creating meaningful experiences and a strong sense of belonging for every guest – building connections that reach far beyond borders.
Lombok quickly captured her heart. Its pristine beaches, warm-hearted locals, and laid-back surf culture felt like home. There, a vision was born: to create a sanctuary where travelers can immerse themselves in nature while honoring local traditions. To deepen her practice, she traveled to India to complete an intensive 200-hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training – a transformative journey of self-discovery that shaped the foundation of her work today.
JOANA
MALDIVES, ULUWATU & NICARAGUA
Joana is an adventurous and vibrant soul – a self-taught explorer with a passion for trying a little bit of everything. Her path crossed Priyal’s in Arugam Bay in 2022, a meeting that would become part of a shared journey.
As a yoga teacher, she deeply believes that if more people embraced the principles of the Yamas and Niyamas, the world could become a more mindful and harmonious place.
Driven by curiosity for the world, its uniqueness, and its beauty, Joana is passionate about expanding Surf & Yoga Retreats globally – sharing the magic that emerges from the union of surfing and yoga. For her, happiness is simple: a barefoot life by the ocean, with a fresh coconut in hand each day.
CAROLINA
PORTUGAL
Carolina’s path has been shaped by a natural balance between structure and intuition. With a background in Marketing Management and a later transition into teaching yoga full-time, she followed a journey that brought her closer to people, connection, and meaningful experiences. It was through this path that she crossed paths with Priyal, whose vision for Surf & Yoga Retreats resonated deeply with her and inspired her to become part of the journey.
Grounded, resilient, and deeply connected to a conscious way of living, Carolina brings warmth, presence, and a subtle healing energy into everything she does. She believes in the power of simple moments – meaningful conversations, shared laughter, and the space to just be. For her, the essence of the retreat lies in creating an environment where people can slow down, open up, and discover new perspectives within themselves, leaving feeling lighter, inspired, and more aligned with their own path.
THERESA
FUERTEVENTURA, PORTUGAL & BRAZIL
Theresa has been deeply connected to the ocean for as long as she can remember – a passionate traveler, always “following the sun.”
Along this journey, life led her to Surf & Yoga Retreats in Sri Lanka, where she met Priyal, fell in love with the spirit of the community, and began co-creating new projects. Today, she brings together her passion for a holistic lifestyle as a yoga teacher, hosting and organizing retreats around the world while also working on soulful content and consulting projects.
On the mat, Theresa redefines what it means to practice advanced yoga – guiding you to find balance within rather than striving to stand upside down. Her approach blends dynamic meditation with mindful movement, creating space to slow down, even while flowing.
LALAKA
ARUGAM BAY
Back in 2010, I first dipped my toes into surfing in Arugam Bay — and it completely stole my heart. The thrill of catching waves quickly became an obsession. Not long after, I met Priyal, the mind behind Surf & Yoga Retreats, and we instantly connected. Together, we went on to launch the second retreat in Arugam Bay, united by a shared passion for the ocean and the lifestyle around it.
Since the very beginning, being part of the Surfing Federation of Sri Lanka has been an incredible journey. I started as Vice President and now serve as Treasurer, taking care of the finances behind the scenes. Along the way, I also earned my Level 1 ISA judging certification – pretty cool, right?
JAMES
SIARGAO
Dr. James, a native of the southern Philippines, brings a unique blend of Eastern and Western approaches to wellness. A medical doctor with expertise in health systems, he is also a passionate yoga and meditation teacher, thoughtfully weaving ancient philosophies into his practice and teaching.
When he’s not out catching waves, James can often be found cooking nourishing meals, dancing with joy, or reflecting on the deeper connection between island life and our place in the world.
Dina
NICARAGUA
Dina is an open-minded woman who is unafraid to embrace the unknown in life. She spent two months as a chef at Surf & Yoga Retreat in Mirissa, where she was deeply inspired by Priyal’s vision and soon became a partner.
With over 20 years of yoga practice, she is deeply passionate about the discipline, which has guided significant shifts in her life’s direction.
A mother of three independent daughters, Dina is always ready for adventure. She embraces life as it comes and remains a lifelong learner, continuously growing through new experiences.
“Traveling opens many avenues to see the world in different perspectives. Everywhere we travel, we can make a difference to leave the place better than we found it.”
– Priyal Kiramage
(Founder Surf & Yoga Retreats)