Yoga in Turkey: at one with a wonderful world As I was quickly reminded during our first morning, this doesn't mean that Simon's yoga is not physically demanding, but that its challenges sneak up on you from behind. It is a kind of stealth yoga, deceptive in its ease, but powerful in its impact. Particularly alluring is the way he draws from other disciplines such as qi gong and t'ai qi. Thus the flow of yoga postures is ornamented by beautiful hand flourishes or arm twists, or an occasional left-field posture such as - my particular favourite - the so-called 'karate kid'. The class ranged from complete beginner to teacher-level, but everyone felt catered for. Breakfast was on a beautiful vine-draped terrace and was delicious. Apart from the usual offerings there was a 'Turkish breakfast' - superb moist feta, richly ripe tomatoes and olives, beautiful bread, local honey, figs from the trees around the yurts, and a delicious mixture of tahini and mulberry molasses. After a few hours by the pool (around which Fifty Shades of Grey was being read in three different languages) it was - somewhat indecently - time for lunch. This consisted of a wonderful daily vegetarian buffet, with so many different variations of vegetable, deftly prepared with a wide range of herbs and spices, that I never missed meat once. After more poolside sunbathing, it was then back to the yoga shala - a pavilion with open sides wreathed in more vines through which the sun shone softly - for our yin practice. Each afternoon Simon focused on a particular aspect of our body, adapting and intensifying well-known yoga postures to increase their efficacy. The most memorable session was halfway through the week when we focused on hip-openers. Simon warned us that some of us might feel cross, because it is in our hips that we often store this emotion. Sure enough, after three hours of carefully yet doggedly working on opening up our hips a number of us, myself included, felt mysteriously bad-tempered. One woman was still disgruntled at breakfast the following day. It is this kind of bodily discovery that makes a week with Simon Low so fascinating. You learn about the way your body works - how it twists and tightens and becomes unbalanced in the course of our daily lives. And you learn how you can work with your body to untwist, unravel, liberate and get your positive energy flowing like never before. What's more, in contrast to other yoga retreats I have been on, at no point does your body become weary or ache; Simon's restorative practice is exactly that. Of course at some point your brain wants a rest from yoga, even if your body doesn't, and a few days in at Huzur Vadisi there is a boat trip from the nearest coastal town of Göcek. At first glimpse this seemed a pretty humble place, but once out on the water I realised it was anything but. We were sailing in a traditional wooden craft but many of the other boats were vast state-of-the-art superyachts. Göcek, it transpires, is one of the best sailing areas in the Mediterranean, a large secluded bay within which there are pretty little islands, and a coastline of intricate promontories with countless hidden coves. The water is as still as it is deep, and more blue than you would think possible; just to seal its perfection it is also so salty that you don't even have to exert yourself to swim, but instead can float effortlessly for ages. Floating in that beautiful blue sea seemed the perfect metaphor for Simon Low's yoga: doing yet not doing, feeling at one with a wonderful world. Don't forget a torch (ideally a headtorch) for those night-time loo trips through the olive groves. Summer in Turkey is very hot, and even the gentlest of exercise has a heightened impact on your body. To avoid dehydration, be sure to drink plenty of water before and after your yoga practice, and even take a few sips during it (something not normally recommended by yoga teachers). Mosquitos can be a problem. Huzur Vadisi has limited supplies of mosquito spray for sale so it's best to bring your own. Don't get cold: evenings in the mountains can be cool, particularly if you're staying in a yurt. Easyjet (easyjet.com) flies from Gatwick to Dalaman from £42 one way. Huzur Vadisi runs yoga retreats with a wide range of teachers from April to October, with up to 28 people on each course (huzurvadisi.com). This year Simon Low will be teaching from June 24-July 1 and from August 19-September 2 (plus the week of July 1 at Huzur Vadisi's new sister property, Suleyman's Garden). A week's full board costs £785. Unlike many yoga retreats, Huzur Vadisi has plenty of mats and props so you don't need to bring your own. What you should bring is a warm cover-up for the morning practice (it can be cool before the sun rises above the mountains) and for supper on the terrace. One morning there is an optional mountain walk - with wonderful views - so pack some properly supportive footwear (walking shoes or sturdy trainers) if you are planning to do this. A top-notch masseuse comes to Huzur Vadisi on the same weeks as Simon (her trigger-point therapy is extraordinary), so bring cash (pounds, euros or Turkish lira) to pay her. If you have never done yoga before, don't worry: Simon is good at teaching any number of different levels at once. However, if you want to prepare, you could buy his new Yin and Yang Yoga app or his DVD (simonlow.com). Göcek caters for rich yachties, as well as less demanding travellers, so there is some excellent (though not cheap) shopping. Particularly good is the jewellery, and there are a number of different shops along the main street selling stunning semi-precious necklaces and earrings, the best being Fazil Silver (16, Carsi Caddesi). For a Turkish take on upscale Pucci-like beachwear - soft delicate cottons and bright prints - visit Taka on the same street. Sunday morning sees a market in town. The food at Huzur Vadisi is unbeatable but if you feel the urge for meat or seafood try Mosaic (melt in the mouth squid, and delectable lamb chops) or the Blues Bar on the seafront. The most celebrated place in town for kebabs is the unpromisingly named and humble-looking Kebab Hospital - the high-rollers love it apparently. For a memorable drink head to the Dice Bar and bag yourself a sofa on the jetty over the water. It is hard to drag yourself away from Huzur Vadisi but there are two local beaches within a 15-minute taxi ride. One, Inlice - in the next bay - has great views and slightly pebbly sand. If you fancy a much smarter setting then go to the beach belonging to the five-star D-Marin Resort in Göcek. About an hour away is the pretty riverside town of Dalyan. From there you can travel by boat to see the spectacular Lycian rock tombs and the ancient ruins of Caunos. Also an hour away is the ruined Lycian mountain city of Cadianda. Another Göcek attraction is the Turkish baths at Club Marina (clubmarina.com.tr).