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SPA TERMINOLOGY 

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A
Acupressure: Finger massage that releases tension and improves the flow of energy (chi) throughout the body by applying pressure to the "energy points" or meridians in the body.

Acupuncture: An ancient oriental healing technique discovered and developed more than three thousand years ago, acupuncture is based on Taoist philosophy. The aim is to balance the energy meridians to permit the body to "heal itself. A relatively painless technique, it is administered by inserting fine needles at key points of the body that relate to different organs in order to relieve muscular, neurological and arthritic problems, cure disease and relieve pain.

Aerobics: Rhythmic exercises performed to music that stimulates the aerobic capacity of the heart and lungs, burn calories, and improve endurance.

Alternative therapies: Treatments based on speculative or abstract reasoning as compared to common practice.

Aqua (water) aerobics: Aerobic exercises performed in a swimming pool where the water provides support and resistance.

Aromatherapy: The use of fragrant, natural, botanical essential oils from plants, leaves, bark, roots, seeds, resins and flowers as a healing art. Aromatherapy refreshes and relaxes the skin while soothing the mind by helping to induce a sense of well-being. Each individual essence is used to produce a specific beneficial effect. Used in massage and facials.

Ayurveda Treatment: An ancient Indian folk medicine that employs a large variety of treatments by waters to restore and revitalize the body. Ayurveda utilizes the curative properties of plants, herbs and essential oils to improve the skin's health and relieve the stress, tension and emotion of daily life.

B
Balneotherapy: The use of water to improve circulation, strengthen the immune system, and reduce pain and stress.

Baths: The act of soaking or cleansing the body, as in water or stream.

Body Composition Test: Computerized evaluation of lean body mass determining the percentage of body fat.

Brush & Tone: Dry-brushing exfoliating of skin to remove its dead layers and impurities and stimulate circulation.

C
Chakra: Refers to the seven energy centers of the body. Taken from the Sanskrit word meaning "wheel".

Chi Kung / Chi Kong / Qigong: A Chinese energy exercise where breathing and body movement recharge energy.

Circuit Training: A high-energy aerobic workout combined with weight resistance equipment in a series of stations, stopping only briefly before each exercise to keep your heart rate within an acceptable range.

Collagen Facial: Freeze-dried collagen is used to plump the skin to fill in the fine lines acquired by stress, sunbathing, or the environment.

Colon Therapy: A high colonic enema that cleanses using water. Benefits include detoxification, cleansing of the blood, and the stimulation of internal organs.

Compress: a folded cloth or pad applied so as to press upon a body part.

Contouring: Deep toning of muscles using calisthenics.

Craniosacral Massage: A gentle hands-on massage centering on the head.

Creative Visualization: A relaxation technique that involves the use of mental energy to transform and greatly improve health, beauty, prosperity, and the fulfillment of one's desires. It is usually done while lying in a quiet, dark room while an instructor asks the participants to imagine themselves in a serene, relaxing environment eventually bringing the participants to a state of deep relaxation.

Cybex: Patented exercise equipment used for isokinetic strength training.

D
Dancercise: Modified modern dance steps and movements to provide an aerobic work out.

Dead Sea Mud Treatment: The application of mineral-rich mud from the Dead Sea to detoxify the skin and the body and to relieve rheumatic and arthritic pain.

Deep (Tissue) Muscle Massage: A type of massage designed to free congestion of the muscle attachments. Deep work brings about realignment of postural distortions and restores proper range of motion. Liberation of emotional tensions may also result. Muscle function and awareness are balanced, and elasticity is revived.

Destination Spa: A spa whose sole purpose is to provide guests with lifestyle improvement and health enhancement through professionally administered spa services, physical fitness, spa cuisine exclusively served, educational programming, and on-site accommodations.

Detoxification: The process of cleansing the body of accumulated poisons often from over-taxation due to addictive behaviors.

Dietitian (Registered Dietitian, R.D.): A food and nutrition expert qualified in the practice of dietetics. A registered dietitian denotes a four-year college graduate and registration by the Credentialing Board of Dietetic Registration.

E
Esalen Massage: A long, gentle and stroking style of massage.

European Facial: A skin care treatment that includes deep cleansing, steam, exfoliation and professional massage of the face, shoulders and chest area, which nourishes and refines the skin. This is followed by a special masque that hydrates the skin.

Essential Oils: Aromatic liquid substances which are extracted from certain species of flowers, grasses, fruits, leaves, roots, and trees. Used in aromatherapy, massage and facial products.

Exfoliating Facial Treatment: Peels away dry skin cells and removes deeply trapped secretions that impede oxygenation. Marine sediments, mineral salts, and lipoamino acids can be used to stimulate circulation and add moisture.

Exfoliation: Peels away dry skin cells and removes deeply trapped secretions that impede oxygenation.

F
Facial: A three-step treatment for the face that is designed to cleanse, tone, and moisturize the skin.

Fango Body Treatment: A body treatment that involves the application of highly mineralized thermal mud to the entire body in an effort to gently cleanse, release toxins, remineralize, nourish, and soothe the skin. Also used to relieve muscular and arthritic pain.

Fast: To abstain from certain or all food and drink (except water) for a period of time for the purpose of physical detoxification and rejuvenation.

Feldenkrais: A system of bodywork designed to reprogram the nervous system through movement augmented by physical pressure and manipulation.

Floatation (Isolation) Tank: An enclosed tank filled with sterile salt water regulated so that its temperature is precisely the same as your body temperature for a sense of buoyancy and weightlessness. You float in complete sensory isolation so that no nerve impulses move from the skin to the brain for a unique feeling of relaxation. Can be used in complete silence, music or guided imagery.

Free Weights: Hand held dumbbells or barbells used to isolate and tone selected muscle groups.

G
Glycolic Facial: An alpha-hydroxyl acid based facial that breaks down the glue bond that holds dry skin on the face, and then creates a rapid exfoliation to soften lines and smooth the skin.

Gommage: A massage-like treatment using creams to cleanse and moisturize.

Guided Imagery: A relaxation technique that involves listening to music and/or a persons voice for the purpose of allowing imagery, symbols, and deep feelings to arise from the inner self.

H
Hand and Foot Treatment: a spa treatment that includes a standard manicure and pedicure, followed by a seaweed or paraffin mask to soften and smooth the skin.

Herbal Wrap: The body is wrapped in a warm cloth soaked in an herbal solution to eliminate impurities, detoxify the body, and induce relaxation.

Herbology: The study and therapeutic use of herbs in treatments and diet.

Holistic Health: A non-medical philosophy of well-being that considers the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of life as closely interconnected and balanced.

Hot Stone Massage Therapy: A bodywork that involves the use of heated and cooled stones (Thermotherapy) applied to the body in various ways to bring about relief to stiff and sore muscles.

Hydrotherapy: Water used as a form of treatment by way of jet massages, showers, and baths (Swiss Shower, Thalassotherapy, Jacuzzi, etc…).

I
Interval Training: A combination series of high-energy exercise followed by a period of low intensity activity.

J
Jin Shin Do: An ancient art of harmonizing life energy within the body practiced by placing fingertips over clothing on designated areas.

K
Kinesiology: The study of muscle structure and movement.

Kur: A planned course of treatment or supervised series of spa treatments over a period of time.

L
Lomi-Lomi: Traditional Hawaiian bodywork massage that uses rhythmical, rocking wave movements.

Loofah Scrub: Brisk rubbing with a Loofah sponge to exfoliate the skin and stimulate circulation.

Low Impact Aerobics: A dance-like exercise that does not involve jumping, hopping, or jogging movements, sparing possible injury to joints.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage: Therapeutic massage that uses a delicate pumping technique to drain lymph nodes of water and trapped toxins.

M
Macrobiotic Diet: An extremely restricted vegetarian diet, low in fat and high in antioxidant vitamins to achieve a fuller sense of balance by synchronizing eating habits with the cycles of nature.

Massage: The manipulation of skin, muscle, and joints (usually by hand) to relax muscle spasm, relieve tension, improve circulation, and eliminate wastes. Over 80 types of massage are in use today. Various forms include: acupressure, athletic, polarity, reflexology, rolfing, shiatsu, sports, Swedish, traeger, and watsu.

Meditation: A state of focused attention through which one emerges into an ever-increasing clear awareness of reality.

Mud Treatment: A treatment which involves the application or submersion of self into mineral-rich mud in order to detoxify the body, loosen muscles, stimulate circulation, and hydrate & exfoliate the skin leaving it with a vital, healthy glow.

N
Naturopathy: Natural healing treatments using plants and flowers.

Nautilus: Patented strength-training equipment intended to isolate one muscle group for each exercise motion.

NIA: Non-impact aerobics class.

P
Parafango: A spa treatment that combines mud and paraffin wax.

Paraffin Treatment: Melted paraffin is applied to the skin to trap heat, absorb toxins, and induce relaxation. After solidifying, it is briskly whisked off leaving the skin silky smooth.

Paraffin Body Wrap: A process of removing dead skin cells with hot oil and Japanese dry brushing techniques. Then an emollient wax is applied to the entire body for an intense hydrating treatment.

Parcourse: An outdoor path or trail with exercise stations along the way provided with instructions and equipment.

Phytotherapy: Healing through plants, involving the use of herbs, aromatic essential oils, seaweeds, herbal and floral extracts.

Pilates (Method): Strength training movements involving coordinated breathing techniques developed in Germany by Dr. Joseph Pilates during the 1920s.

Polish: A gentle process using large sea sponges to cleanse, exfoliate, hydrate, and soften the body.

Power Yoga: A form of yoga with an accelerated succession of yoga body postures.

Q
Qigong / Chi Kung / Chi Kong: A Chinese energy exercise where breathing and body movement recharge energy.

R
Rebounder: A miniature trampoline.

Reflexology: An ancient Chinese technique in which specific pressure points (usually on the feet, but also on the hands and ears) are massaged in order to re-establish the flow of energy throughout the body.

Reiki: The Ancient Art and Science of balancing the body's energy on a physical and emotional level.

Repaichage: A combination of herbal, clay, seaweed or mud face-packs to cleanse and moisturize.

Rolfing: Bodywork technique that improves balance and flexibility through deep manipulation of rigid muscles, bones, and joints; intended to relieve stress and improve energy.

S
Salt Glow: An exfoliating treatment where the body is rubbed with coarse salt to remove the top layer of dead skin and stimulate circulation.

Sauna: Dry heat in a wooden room used to open the pores and eliminate toxins through sweat.

Scotch Hose Massage: A massage received in a standing position performed by a therapist who uses a hose to spray strong jets of water on the body alternating hot and cold water or using seawater.

Seaweed Wrap: A wrap of concentrated sea water and seaweed which diffuses minerals, rare elements, vitamins, proteins in the blood stream to revitalize the skin and the body.

Shiatsu: Acupressure massage technique in which pressure is applied to specific points of the body to stimulate or release the 'meridians' (paths of the body) through which energy flows.

Spa Cuisine: Fresh natural foods low in fat and calories with an emphasis on whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, low-fat dairy products, and the avoidance of added or artificial salts, colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Spinning®: An aerobic series of exercises seated on special exercise bikes: stretching, low intensity aerobics, high intensity aerobics, body contour, yoga, and meditation.

Sports Massage: Massage of foundation tissues directed specifically at the muscles used in athletic activities. This is a deep muscle massage often used around the joints. It combines classical Swedish style with trigger points, compression and electro-neuromuscular techniques to reduce soreness.

Steam Room: Tiled room in which steam is generated at high pressure and temperature to open the pores and eliminate toxins.

Step Class / Step Aerobics: Rhythmic aerobic sessions performed with a small platform used to step up and down.

Sugaring: An ancient hair removal process.

Sweat Lodge Ceremony: An ancient Native American body purification process involving the use of intense heat to provoke visions and insights.

Swedish Massage: A classical European massage technique of the muscles with special oils by therapeutic stroking and kneading of muscle tissue to promote stress relief. It is used to improve circulation, relieve muscle pain and tension, increase flexibility and induce relaxation. It combines three basic strokes to the skin: long, firm strokes; kneading strokes; and small circles. This is the most requested and one of the most enjoyable massages.

Swiss Shower: Powerful shower jets that alternate hot and cold water are directed onto the body at various levels to produce the effect of an invigorating massage.

T
T'ai Chi: A form of Chinese martial art that combines mental concentration, slow respiration and graceful movements similar to those of a dance; "meditation in motion".

Thai Massage: A technique that involves a unique combination of gentle rocking and stretching using range of motion and acupressure techniques applied through clothing without oils.

Thalassotherapy: The use of sea products used to detoxify, exfoliate, balance the skin's pH, and hydrate.

Trager Massage: Massage that relieves tension and realigns the body by use of slow, effortless, and easy movement.

V
Vegetarian Diet: A dietary regime of natural foods, specifically no animal product that results from the killing of that animal. Animal by-products may or may not be included in the diet (i.e. dairy, eggs, honey).

Vichy Shower: A shower taken lying down on a table, usually in a "wet room" where several overhead jets release water of varying temperatures and pressures.

W
Watsu: A massage treatment that is performed with the therapist and client are in a pool of water. The technique combines shiatsu and acupressure in flowing dance-like movements where the body is supported by water and the practitioner.

Waxing: The removal of body hair with hot wax.

Whirlpool: A tub of hot water (105-115° F) with jets of high-pressure water pumped from the sides and bottom which massage muscles and induce relaxation.

Y
Yoga: An ancient practice that uses special positions (asanas) and breath control to stretch and tone the body, improve circulation, calm the central nervous system and induce a meditative and all-embracing state of being.

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