Kalaripayattu in Kerala

We are wary about courses accessing your inner warrior, but holiday lessons in kalaripayattu, the world's oldest martial art, sound useful. Not only is its elaborate repertoire of movements and exercises said to strengthen the physique, but it also teaches you how to activate your 107 energy points - a natural shot of Red Bull. If it all sounds a bit energetic, Kerala's Ayurveda Mana, a family-run charitable trust, also offers meditation, yoga and Ayurveda. Chill before you kill.

· TransIndus (020-8566 2729, transindus.co.uk) offers 12 nights' full board from £1,374pp, including flights, transfers and lessons.

Yoga in Turkey

Admittedly it's a niche, but singles yoga may well be the future. No arguments, unreasonable demands or passive aggression, just stretching and breathing - sounds like a holiday to us. So if you want to learn the basics of the discipline - or improve your technique - with other solo holidaymakers, Friendship Travel is running three special Wellbeing weeks in June, July and September at 18-room Villa Aurora in Ovacik near Oludeniz, Southern Turkey. A qualified yoga master will be on hand - or at least on mat - for three sessions, structured by ability.

· Friendship Travel (0870 850 0344, friendshiptravel.com) has seven nights' half-board from £559pp, flights included.

Massage in Thailand

Be warned: you'll be asked to massage friends and family for ever more if you take this course. Lessons take place in wooden huts overlooking jungly hills, so you'll enter an instant state of relaxation, but practising Thai yoga massage will seal the deal. A beginners' course in the Sunshine Mountain Lahu Village near Chiang Mai in northern Thailand lasts 12 days, including accommodation in bamboo huts in the hill tribe village, vegetarian meals and all tuition, for £165 per person.

· The Sunshine Network Institute (0066 53 262 574, thaiyogamassage.infothai.com). Flights from London with Thai Airways (thaiair.com) to Chiang Mai cost around £500 return.

Astronomy in Sweden

Sweden's heaven and earth show combines some of the most spectacular astronomy lessons on earth, with guaranteed snow for Nordic skiing. Abisko's position, 155 miles into the Arctic Circle, ensures clear nights to visit Mt Njulla's Aurora Sky Station for aurora borealis lectures. Back at ground level, Abisko is at the top of the famous Kunglsleden Trail, so strap on cross-country skis or snowshoes, and, after basic tuition, practise along well-used tracks through birch forest and glorious alpine meadows.

· Abisko Turiststation (0046 980 40200, abisko.nu) has doubles from £66 a night. Sky Station sessions cost £30pp. SAS (flysas.com) flies to Kiruna from £231 return.

Tai Chi in Vietnam

Cleanse your mind of urban stress and fill it with a full hand of holistic therapies at serene Quy Nhon on the central Vietnamese coast. Alongside the usual suspects of yoga and massage - including practical demonstrations - there's Tai Chi, and detox blending treatments like a dry sand and salt sauna with bespoke spa treatments, unique stretching routines and - anyone for more lentils? - chakra cleansing. There's also walking meditation, which, frankly, is just a touch Monty Python.

· TransIndus (020-8566 2729, transindus.co.uk) has four-night, full-board detox with holistic therapies for £230pp. Expedia.co.uk has flights to Vietnam from £593 return.

Detoxing in Ibiza

We know what you're thinking . . . detoxing? In Ibiza?! But the setting of the The Buddha House private retreat couldn't be better, with panoramic views of forests and mountains, and the party island's clubs and bars lie well out of temptation's way. Taking only liquids, you'll learn about nutrition and the health benefits of a fasting detox and leave 5kg lighter.

· A week costs from £600 with Lotus Journeys (020-8968 3666, lotusjourneys.com), excluding flights.

Thai boxing in Bangkok

You could be a contender. Thai boxing or muaythai lets you slim and body sculpt while preparing for an actual bout - and apparently enhances calmness. Train at Fairtex Gym in Bangplee, outer Bangkok, a regular for rookie westerners, and spend a few days round-kicking a padded trainer before more advanced conditioning and perhaps a local stadium fight.

· Fairtex (0066 2 755 3329, muaythaifairtex.com) has basic weekly accommodation/training packages from £119, but you could pay £10 per training day and stay in Sukhumvit's Eugenia (001 662 2599017, theeugenia.com) with suites from £90. Opodo (opodo.co.uk) has flights from £485.

Surfing and yoga in Australia

The two go together like Oakleys and zinc block, so it's no surprise to find the two pursuits, which both claim to offer a near spiritual experience along with pert buns, fused into a package. Samudra has several centres, including Yallingup three hours south of Perth, whose three-day course includes three daily hits of stretching and surfing, mixed up with healthy veggie tuck and tasteful art deco accommodation. There's also some yogic-surf philosophy thrown in, but its Aussie roots should keep it real and rippa.

· Samudra (0061 4037 36910, samudra.com.au) has three-day course and half-board accommodation for £341. Flights to Perth from £632 with sta.com.

Ayurveda in Sri Lanka

Before Western medicine came along with its pills and injections, the ancient Indian theory of Ayurveda advised a preventative approach to healthcare. By working out which "Ayurvedic body type" you are, you can design a diet to suit your nutritional needs to prevent illness and feel full of energy. It's widely practised in Sri Lanka, where you can join a 14-day programme at the Rainforest Edge hotel next to the Sinharaja rainforest. It has an infinity pool, mud baths and delicious food.

· Experience Sri Lanka (0845 638 1415, experiencesrilanka.com) from £3,226 for two people including flights.

Meditation on Holy Island

With the hermit cave of 6th-century monk St Molaise, Holy Isle, between Arran and Scotland's west coast, has a venerable track record, not to mention sublime scenery. Learning courses held in the Peace Centre include Meditation in Everyday Life and Meditation for Beginners. Spot a theme? Good, now make a physical as well as mental journey with a ferry to Arran, bus to Lamlash pier and ferry to Holy Island.

· The Holy Island Project (01770 601100, holyisland.org) Using Mediation in Everyday Life course costs £120. Full veggie board twin rooms £65 a day.