It's getting so you can't walk down a street anywhere in Thailand these days without hearing the satisfied pop of a shoulder or knee joint finally rediscovering its proper position. Thank the yoga boom.

Here's a quick survey of some of the top yoga retreats across the land.

KOH SAMUI: A few new places caterฌing mainly to yoga lovers are about to open up on Samui. Joining Absolute Yoga Samui and Love Kitchen in the Bophut fisherman's village on the north shore in April will be Absolute Sanctuary, a yoga and detox centre (www.AbsoluteSanctuary.com).

The island has a longestablished ashtanฌga centre called Yoga Thailand in the Mae Nam area, run by dedicated practitioner Paul Dallaghan (www.YogaThailand.com).

The Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa (www.Kamalaya.com) offers immaculate facilities, including an openair, woodfloor pavilion and sala, and the enclosed Yantra Hall, all with breathtaking sea views.

KOH PHANGAN: Yes, there's more than fullmoon parties here. The bestknown getaway for yoga aficionados is the Sanctuary (www.TheSanctuarykpg.com), built into the side of a forested mountain overlooking Thien Beach.

It has bungalows on stilts and several yoga halls where three daily classes are held along with evening meditation sessions. The restaurant offers complete vegetarian meals.

Also well established is the Agama Yoga Resort (www.AgamaYoga.com) founded by Swami Vivekananda Saraswati from India.

CHIANG MAI: The Anusara Yoga Immersion Retreat was completed at Kaomai Lanna Resort (www.KaomaiLanna.com) earlier this year. It will be hosting big gatherings of devotees of anurasa yoga from all over the world. Yin Yoga will be offered by Paul Grilley and Sarah Powers in December at the Tao Garden Resort (www.SarahPowers.com).

MORE STAFF PICKS Koh Ngai Yoga Reteats, www.yogatraveller.com

Vipasai Niyamabha

Special to Daily Xpress