Spa Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Abhyanga.
Herbalized oil-massage performed by two therapists, sometimes followed by hot-towel treatment.

Acupressure.
Glossary under revision.

Acupuncture.
Chinese medicine.

Aesclepions.
Glossary under revision.

Aerobics.
Physical activity, such as walking, running, swimming, or dance, which employs the large muscle groups of the body and elevates the heart rate. Excellent for weight loss through fat burning.

Alexander Technique.
A massage system created in the 1890’s by the Australian actor F.M. Alexander and designed to improve posture and correct physical habits that cause stress.

Alogtherapy.
Glossary under revision.

Anaerobic.
Glossary under revision.

Aquaerobics.
Aerobic workouts in a pool that combine water resistance and body movements.
Helps to strengthen body and tone muscles.

Aromatherapy.
Glossary under revision.

Asana.
Glossary under revision.

Ashram.
Devotional retreat centre dedicated to the study of yoga, meditation, eastern philosophy and spirituality.

Aslan Therapy.
Glossary under revision.

Ayurveda.
A 5,000 year-old Indian philosophy of well-being that uses oils, massage, herbs, diet and lifestyle modification to restore perfect balance to a body.

Bach flower remedies.
Alternative healing method based on distilled floral essences and oils developed in London in the 1930’s by Dr. Edward Bach

Bad
Glossary under revision.

Baden-Baden
A world famous and highly acclaimed spa destination in Germany.

Baden by Wien.
A spa town in Austria

Balneology.
Traditional water-based treatments using geothermal hot springs, mineral water or seawater to improve circulation, strengthen immunity and relieve pain and stress.

Basti.
Glossary under revision.

Bhakti yoga.
Yoga of devotion. One of the traditional monastic forms practiced at yoga ashrams.

Bindi.
An ayurvedic treatment in which herb-infused oils are applied to the face and body.

Biofeedback.
Glossary under revision.

Body brushing.
Dry brushing of the skin to remove dead cells and stimulate circulation. Also called dry brushing.

Body-Composition test.
Analysis to determine percentage of an individual’s body fat.

Body conditioning.
A combination of resistance training, stretching and other exercises designed to improve the body’s overall condition.

Body polish.
Use of various scrubs, loofahs and other exfoliants to gently cleanse the body and remove dead skin cells.

Boreh.
Glossary under revision.

Boxaerobics.
High-energy aerobics incorporating boxing movements.

Cathiodermie.
Glossary under revision.

Chakra.
Glossary under revision.

Circuit Training.
Glossary under revision.

Clay Wrap.
Natural clay, rich in organic matter, applied to the skin to remove toxins and ease muscle pain.

Clinical Aesthetician.
Glossary under revisiion.

Cold plunge.
Immerse into a deep pool of cold water used to stimulate circulation after sauna.

Colonic irrigation.
Enema to cleanse the colon to remove impurities.

Complementary Medicine.
Non-traditional medical

Contouring.
Callisthenics for deep toning of the muscle groups.

Craniosacral Therapy.
Glossary under revision.

Crenotherapy.
Glossary under revision.

Cure.
Course of treatments. Also called kur.

Dead Sea mud.
Mineral-rich mud from the Dead Sea used to remove toxins, promote healthy skin and ease muscle and joint pain.

Deep-tissue massage.
Vigorous manipulations of bodily tissues to relieve knots, tension, inflexibility, pain and discomfort.

Dental Spa/Spa Dentistry.
A facility whose dental program is run under strict supervision of a licensed dentist. Services provided, integrate both traditional and non-traditional dental and spa treatments; such as massage therapy, skincare and body treatments.

Dosha.
The term for one of three body types in ayuredic philosophy: pitta, vata, or kapha.

Drinking Cure.
Medically prescribed regiment of mineral-water consumption.

Dulse Scrub.
A body polish using a skin-sloughing and enriching mixture of powered coarse red seaweed and water or oil.

Duo Massage.
Glossary uner revision.

Endermologie
Glossary under revision.

Effleurage
Glossary under revision.

Essentials oils.
Glossary under revision.

Esthetician
Glossary under revision.

Exfoliation.
The process of removing a thin layer of dry skin cells with loofah or other lightly abrasive materials.

Fango Mud.
Fango is volcanic in orgin. The mud is rich in minerals and promotes the release of toxins and relieve muscular and arthritic pain. Fango is an excellent aid in the exfoliation process.

Feldenkrais Method.
System developed by an Israeli physicist Moshe Feldenkrais in the 1940’s to re-programme the nervous system through movement augmented by physical pressure and manipulation.

Flotation Tank.
An appliance filled with about 12 inches of highly salty, mineral enriched water used to promote deep relaxation and serenity.

Glycolic exfoliation.
A treatment to break down the bonds that hold dry skin on the ace and soften and smooth lines and wrinkles.

Golden spoons.
Glossary under revision.

Gommage.
Glossary under revision.

Guided imagery.
Visualization used to stimulate the body’s immune system.

Hamam.
Bathhouse.

Hatha Yoga.
System of yoga that focuses on physical exercise used to achieve bodily control.

Haysack Wrap.
Treatment with steamed hay intended to detoxify the body.

Hellerwork.
A system of deep-tissue bodywork, stress reduction and movement education by educator Joseph Heller.

Henna.
Glossary under revision.

Herbal Wrap.
The wrapping of the body in hot linens and blankets imbued with herbal essences. The treatment is intended to promote muscle relaxation and elimination of toxins. Also called aromabath or herbal bath.

Herbolgy.
The therapeutic use of herbs in treatments and diet.Holistic medicine.
A philosophical approach to health and healing that addresses the body and mind.

Homeopathy.
Alternative medicine in which patients consume minute quantities of symptom-causing substances in order to simulate self-healing.

Hot-stone massage.
Massage using smooth stones heated in water and applied to the skin with pressure or strokes or simply rested on the body.

Hydrotherapy.
Underwater massage.

Hydro tub.
Underwater massage in deep tubs equipped with high-pressure jets and hand-manipulated hoses.

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