I won’t go on about it again (since you’re an avid follower of mine and therefore I’m sure you’re aware) but I’ve not been able to run for over a year. So 14 months into this running hiatus I booked onto another yoga retreat, this time Island Yoga on the stunningly beautiful, undeveloped island of Koh Yao Noi in Thailand.

I went all in with daily, sometimes twice daily, classes of either 90 minutes or 2 hours… Here’s what I learned:

1. It got easier

The progress made when doing 15 classes in 10 days is incomparable to what you’ll see by doing 15 classes in 10 weeks. If you need a bit of motivation, make the mat your friend.

2. I became more flexible

Within a week I was actually able to “float the foot forward” when instructed rather than yank it up the mat (as much as it’s actually possible to “float” a foot).

3. I realised the importance of a good teacher

In London I ping pong around teachers depending on current deals and dabble in a bit of YouTube yoga too. Here’s what I realised after 15 classes with two brilliant teachers: find a good teacher and stick with them. They get to know you and you get to know them. Cue even faster progress.

4. I found a beautiful studio makes a huge difference

Gazing out to lush Thai jungle, snow-capped Himalayas or a Costa Rican sunset while you’re doing downward dog is unrealistic for most of us day to day, but it’s worth trying to find a lovely studio you look forward to visiting. Avoid the stinky windowless places which abound in London, there are a plethora of other more inspiring options; park yoga and rooftop yoga in summer or the top floor of a high rise in winter.

5. I confirmed I prefer running

I already knew this. But I love to eat what I want when travelling, and yoga does not permit this. Enough said