"I'm sorry if you'll be sore tomorrow," the massage therapist informed me unprompted, "but you needed it."

Set foot in the Spa at Esperanza in Los Cabos, Mexico, and you will encounter professionals who know their jobs cold. Surrender yourself to their capable hands, and you will not be disappointed. From the front desk, where your order for a post-treatment beverage is taken, to the gender-specific and general relaxation areas to the treatment rooms, you will be treated to the sights and sounds of trickling water, stone-based décor (commonplace in this part of Mexico) and a staff that is singularly focused on relieving you of the emotional baggage that you carried onto the plane en route to Baja California Sur.

The Spa at Esperanza, part of the Esperanza Resort, offers a wide selection of treatments, including facials, massages, manicure and pedicure packages, private yoga sessions and couples options. In addition to the basic presentations of these themes – such as the Esperanza Massage, the deep-tissue treatment I enjoyed through which I persevered – twists are available to suit your mood or help you connect more closely with the part of the world you're visiting. The Corona Beer Face Lift, Papaya Plus Enzyme Peel and Avocado Butter Mani/Pedi, for example, feature local color that you're unlikely to encounter back home. Spice up your revitalization a bit with the Esperanza's local expertise.

Gallery: Esperanza Resort

Wine and yoga are both commonly sought out for relaxation, but it is not until very recently that the two have been paired up in some unique retreats. At the Deloach Vineyard in Sonoma there are retreats held over the summer for $1,000-$1,100 per person. ''Yoga + Wine'' workshops can be found throughout the country this summer.

Though the idea is described as "healthy indulgence" due to the health benefits attributed to wine and the calming effect of both the drink and the yoga, not everyone agrees with the combination. Many traditionalists believe that not only does alcohol not really have a place in the yoga lifestyle, but that it will simply be unproductive to combine the two in such a short period (as evidenced by the yoga/tequila disaster on the Bad Girl's Club). But with the every-growing popularity of the two things, as well as the relaxing lifestyle that they are both associated with, this seems like a trend that will stick around.

Since we were just thinking about yoga retreats, it seems appropriate that we mention a mat that yoga fans who want more than just the basics. Of course, you can't have a cashmere yoga mat, but you can make a statement with Text Yoga Mats. These mats come in three colors with three different messages printed in metallic/pearlized colors. The styles include the "bling" mat, in gold; the "chocolate" mat, in chocolate; and "me," in silver. Just try not to smile while looking at your mat and doing the downward dog. Price: $65.

[via Cool Hunting]

While massages and attentive butlers are all well and good when it comes to getting pampered on a vacation, few things are as relaxing as yoga - and even fewer when that yoga is taking place at a gorgeous spa. Concierge.com has a list of their top ten yoga retreats, chosen from resorts all across the world. Some of their top picks include:

Wildflower Hall in India - Yoga was invented in the Himalayas, so this mountain-top retreat can really get you inspired

Chiva-Som in Thailand - One of Thailand's top spas, with all-private instruction, customized to your preferences.

Maya Tulum in Mexico - Set between the ocean and the Mayan ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula, you'll relax, workout and get to hobnob with the glitterati who frequent the retreat.

Gwyneth Paltrow donated her time, in the form of a yoga lesson, to a charity auction last month that was held as a benefit for The Prince's Trust, which helps young people ages 14-30 get their lives on track through training, mentoring and financial assistance. During the auction, the lesson sold for £30,000. Gwyneth said that she is working on a special lesson plan to ensure that the person gets her or her money's worth:  "Unfortunately I can't do it in the nude or anything to make it really exceptional but I will try and come up with a good plan."

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