A rare style: Kaiut yoga

Here's what makes Chrystèle's classes stand out: she teaches Kaiut yoga, a style that's already rare in Europe and almost unheard of in Phnom Penh. It's an offshoot of Hatha yoga that originated in Brazil, built around long, held stretches that work the muscles deep down, all the way to the joints. Forget the fast, sweaty flows. Kaiut is slow, patient, and almost meditative. You settle into a pose, breathe, and let the body release on its own.

Chrystèle Theze is originally from Marseille, and that warm Mediterranean energy fills the room from the very first minute, the kind that makes us all feel like we've known her forever. She has been practicing yoga for over 30 years, and you can feel it in the way she teaches and adapts the class on the fly to what each student needs.

What it actually feels like

I'll try to describe the sensation, even if it sounds contradictory: after an hour, I felt like I'd had both a massage and a workout, but without the tiredness. Just this deep sense of lightness, a body that feels longer and completely unknotted. I know it reads like an exaggeration, but it's honestly what I walked out with.

Perfect for complete beginners

What I love most about Chrystèle is how gentle she is. She puts even total beginners at ease from the very first session: no impossible poses, no pressure. She listens to what your body needs and adapts the exercises depending on which parts of the body you want to work on. She explains the benefits of each posture so you understand what you're doing, and she watches you throughout to correct your alignment. You never feel lost.

The honest part

Good news first: Chrystèle teaches in both French and English, so there's no language barrier whichever one you speak. Her classes are a natural home for the French-speaking community, but English speakers are just as welcome and just as looked after. The one honest note is about the style itself: Kaiut's slow, static rhythm can feel strange if you're used to a dynamic vinyasa. If you already practice Hatha yoga, you'll feel right at home with Kaiut.

Practical info

Chrystèle teaches twice a week, Wednesdays at 8:30 AM and Saturdays at 10 AM, at the Sâmata wellness center in the BKK neighborhood. Group classes are $12 per session. The BKK neighborhood is perfect for a coffee break before or after class (check out my picks for the best coffee shops in Phnom Penh).

Prefer practicing from home? She also runs an online class on Sunday mornings at 9:30 France time (roughly early-to-mid afternoon in Phnom Penh). You'll need very little gear: a mat, a cushion, and a resistance band.

If you like to move in other ways too, her practice pairs beautifully with something more cardio. Take a look at my guide to the best places to run in Phnom Penh for the sweatier side of staying active here.

So if you want to discover Kaiut yoga in Phnom Penh, there's no better teacher than Chrystèle. It's the wellness tip I'd recommend before even a massage.
You'll find everything about Chrystèle and her classes on her website: ajna-kaiutyoga.com.