Spa Glossary

Lap pool.
A pool with swimming lanes for working out/exercise.

Loofah.

A coarse sponge made from a naturally occurring plant fibre and used to exfoliate the skin and stimulate circulation.

Lomi lomi.
Glossary under revision.

Lymphatic drainage.
Massage technique designed to gently drain away toxins and excess water from the body.

Magnet therapy.
The placement of static magnets on the body, used as a means of treating pain.

Mandi Susu.
Glossary under revision.

Marine Hydrotherapy
Glossary under revision.

Massage Therapy.
Manipulation of body tissue for therapeutic purposes. Types of massage include acupressure, reflexology and shiatsu.

Meditation.
Prolonged contemplation of a word, image or sound as a means of clearing the mind and thereby reducing stress and anxiety.

Microbdermabrasion.
Removing the top layer of skin (usually on the face) by brushing it with aluminium crystals or another abrasive material on order to diminish the appearance of fine lines and even out pigmentation.

Moor mud.
Natural peat or mud, rich in organic matter, applied to the skin to remove toxins and ease muscle and joint pain.

Mud wrap.
Body treatments using warm mud to cleanse pores and draw our impurities. Also called clay wrap.

Naturopathy.
Glossary under revision.

NIA (Neuromuscular Integrative Action)
A low-impact workout program created by San Francisco dancers Carlos and Debby Roasa, blending elements of yoga, tai chi, and aikido with aerobics and modern dance.

Nutraceuticals.
Skin care formulations that are based upon food ingredients to supplement what the skin needs to look healthy and vibrant

Oleation
Glossary under revision.

Onsen
Glossary under revision.

Ovo-lacto diet.
A diet regime, usually vegetarian, that includes eggs and dairy products.

Oxygenate.
Glossary under revision.

Oxygen Facial.
A spray of liquid oxygen or an application of oxygen rich oils as part of a treatment aimed at revitalizing especially dry or damaged skin on the face.

Panchakarma.
A type of massage therapy that uses warm herbalized oils and aims to restore balance to the body.

Parafango.
Treatment using a combination of volcanic mud and paraffin. See fango.

Paraffin Wrap.
Brushed-on layers of warm wax that help to relax the muscles and soften the skin.

Parcourse.
Glossary under revision.

Physiochineitherapy
Glossary under revision.

Phythotherpy.
Plant-based treatments incorporating essential oils, seaweed and herbs applied through massage, wraps, inhalation and other methods.

Pilates.
Strength-training movements developed in Germany by Dr. Joseph Pilates during the 1920’s.

Piloga.
A combination of yoga and Pilates exercises.

Pizichilli.
Treatment during which a continuous stream of warm herbalized oil is poured over the body while two therapists perform gentle massage.

Polarity therapy.
Treatment developed by Dr. Randolph Stone that balances the body’s energy through a combination of massage, meditation, exercise and diet.

Pressotherapy.
The use of pressure cuffs on the feet to improve circulation.

Pressure-point massage.
Bodywork using pressure on designated body parts that connect to major nerves.

Power Yoga.
Form of yoga that requires rapid movements.

Qigong.
Glossary under revision.