A sanctuary for the spirit
A small shala on the lagoon at Ahangama, built by hand and kept simple.
Why Shramalaya was born
Shramalaya was born out of a quiet exhaustion with the noise, the superficial trends, and a world growing increasingly disconnected from itself. The journey behind it began not from a pursuit of leisure, but from a need to navigate the friction of modern life. Through breath, meditation, and the physical movement and stillness of yoga, turning inward became a way to stay centered when the external world felt ungrounded.
For years, what was missing for Elly was a space that felt entirely honest: rooted in timeless tradition yet awake to the realities of living today, far from commercial gimmicks and performative wellness.
That is why she created Shramalaya.
Founded to keep the core of practice simple, true, and uncompromised, it is run by herself and a small, aligned team. It is built both to offer a grounded sanctuary for practitioners from near and far, for the curious and the dedicated, as well as to create a dedicated space where the kids of the local community can learn, grow, and experience a different way of living.
Because the best things in life are simple: connected to nature, rooted in truth, and built to give people access to something real.
Built by hand
Built by hand by founder Eleftheria Gi, together with the local family who own the land. Wood pillars, a roof woven from coconut leaves, and water on every side. All natural materials, nothing more.
It's simple on purpose. No mirrors, no levels to climb. Breath first, then movement, then rest.
How we practise
Come as you are
Bodies and days vary. With different classes tailored for various levels and experiences, the practice bends to meet you wherever you are, not the other way around.
Unhurried
Nothing is crammed into the hour, allowing your full energy to settle into a deep, lasting grounding that keeps you focused, centered, and fully alive in everything you do outside this room.
Truth (Satya)
Cutting through the noise to see what is real. This practice is about stripping away pretense to connect with your own inner truth, meeting reality as it is, and learning to stay at peace within it.
Part of the village
Every week the shala opens free for the children of the village to move, play and rest. Our cooking workshops are taught by the women of this land, sharing the food they grew up on, and the profits go to them.
A safe space is built not with walls, but with attention.
Eleftheria Gi (Elly)
Elly's journey into yoga and self-awareness is rooted in years of immersion and study in India, blending traditional practices with a contemporary, honest approach to modern life. Her work cuts through the noise of superficial wellness, focusing instead on deep grounding, nervous system regulation, and authentic inner freedom.
Over the years, she has held space for everything from foundational yoga practices and teacher trainings to meditation, sound healing, and immersive retreats. Her approach invites exploration through movement, breath, and stillness.
Now based in Sri Lanka, Elly is the founder and heart of Shramalaya. Alongside a small, deeply aligned team, she has built a sanctuary designed to keep the core of practice simple, true, and real, offering a space where practitioners can drop the rush, reconnect with nature, and find genuine human connection.
Weekly Offerings: Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin, and Sound Healing.
Gatherings: Ceremonies, full moon circles, and singing circles.
Come and see
Whether you practise every morning or haven't stepped on a mat in years, there's a place for you here.