Temazcal Steam Baths, Mexico / © Lisa Young 2006

Mexico is famous for many things glorious sunshine, white sandy beaches, breathtaking archaeological sites, and mouth watering foods, but the word Temazcal is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of all things Mexican. Despite this, the Temazcal is a purifying ceremony that has been used in Mexico for thousands and thousands of years. Based on an ancient process that combines a cleansing sweat bath with herbs, music and massage, the aim of the Temazcal is to renew and energies the body, mind and soul. A must then for any stressed out individual trying to relax and recuperate over a short winter holiday.

The word itself comes from the Nahuatl language used by the Aztecs, Temaz meaning bath and Calli home, though the ceremony was also used by the Mayans, Zapotecs and other indigenous groups as a cleansing ritual. These days the Temazcal is practised all over Mexico, though in different variations. In Oaxaca you can find Mariana E. Arroyo a shaman who has built a Temazcal in her garden and is well known both there and in Mexico City. The process here is on a one-to-one basis, and Mariana uses freshly picked herbs from her garden, to cleanse and detoxify a participant'' body throughout the steaming process as she chants. Water is then poured over the head and body to refresh and cleanse. A solo Temazcal is a must if you prefer a more private edge to your therapies or are looking for some much needed peace and meditation.

A more group centred Temazcal is held at the Hotel Maroma on the Riviera Maya. Maroma itself is a haunt of the rich and famous with Gwyneth Paltrow and Prince William both retreating here over the past year. This Temazcal is well known as British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie, tried it out in the summer of 2002.

The ceremony at Maroma takes place at dusk, and is overseen by Nancy Aguilar who sees the Temazcal as a 'womb' in which you can be reborn. The 'womb' is in fact a terracotta coloured pyramid on the south end of Maroma beach, which is decorated with creatures and symbols, which signify both the season and stages of life - childhood, adolescence, maturity and transformation, a metaphor for the rebirthing process of the Temazcal. Before entering six participants (dressed only in swimsuits) are instructed to bow to the four winds (north, south, east and west), while Mayan prayers are read and a conch shell is blown in respect to the Gods. Once, inside the temazcal, the process becomes less formal as, everyone sits around a stone pit filled with hot volcanic lava stones, which are regularly doused with water. The steam itself is hot and can become over powering as it gives off richly scented steam courtesy of boughs of herbs littered around room. It's only when the outer door is closed that the Temazcal becomes more primal as darkness descends to envelop everything and all that can be heard are Nancy's chants of Mayan songs. The songs are there not only to help you relax, but to take your mind off the mounting anxiety of being in a small, hot, dark room in the ground with six complete strangers. Purifying and rebirthing ideas aside, the point of the Temazcal is to relax and let go of tension, fear, aching limbs and stress in general. As steam has long been known to relieve the pain of aching muscles, soothe headaches and release anxiety and toxins from the body, it works whether you're a believer or not.

To cleanse the body and mind element, melon and papaya are passed round to eat and then the fruit's skin is rubbed on the body, along with handfuls of greyish mud, which apart from being soothingly cool, detoxify the skin when smeared on. After 45 minutes, a final cleansing of soul takes place, as all participants are encouraged to scream as loud as they can, before being set free for an exhilarating ocean swim.

Whatever your new age leanings, the Temazcal is probably the most relaxing thing you can do on a trip to Mexico it's good for your stress levels, your skin (it's said to take years off you) and even better your mind. Take Cherie Blair's lead, she found it so soothing, she went back for more.

All information was correct at time of publishing.