|
Following are descriptions of some of
the most popular terms used at most day and resort spas.
Acupressure:
Finger massage that releases tension by applying pressure to the
nerves.
Acupressure
Facial: Using 50 acupressure points in the facial area,
you can acquire deep relaxation as well as be wrinkle free from
stress.
Aerobics:
A series of rhythmic exercises performed to music. The purpose is to
stimulate the aerobic capacity of the heart and lungs and to burn
fats.
Aikido:
A Japanese martial art.
Alexander
Technique: A massage system to relieve stress and improve
posture.
Algotherapy:
Seaweed bath (refer to Thalassotherapy for more information).
Aqua
aerobics: Aerobic exercises performed in a swimming pool.
The water provides support and resistance.
Aromatherapy:
This relates to the use of fragrant, natural, botanical
essential oils from plants, leaves, bark, roots, seeds, resins and
flowers. Aromatherapy refreshes and relaxes the skin while soothing
the mind by helping to induce a sense of well-being and. Each
individual essence is used to produce a specific beneficial effect.
Used in massage and facials.
Ayurvedic
Massage: An ancient Indian massage technique that frees
body and mind of all toxins. It is performed contemporarily by two
therapists with the use of essential oils.
Ayurveda
Treatment: This ancient Indian "Science of Life" states
that the skin is the mirror to inner health and the body manifests
everything that happens inside. 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.
Bach Cures:
Healing with floral essences and oils.
Balneotherapy: The use of water to improve circulation,
strengthen the immune system, and reduce pain and stress.
Bindi:
Bodywork combining exfoliation, herbal treatment, and light
massage.
Bio-energetics:
Energy exchange between the giver and receiver of massage.
Bio-Lifting:
A non-surgical facial lifting treatment performed with galvanic
stimulation.
Body
Composition Test: Computerized evaluation of lean body
mass determining the percentage of body fat.
Brush & Tone:
Dry-brushing of skin to remove its dead layers and impurities and
stimulate circulation. It is one of the main exfoliating techniques
used prior to the application of mud or seaweed face-packs.
Cayce-Reilly
Massage: This massage is intensively therapeutic,
manipulates tissues and joints, and uses moist heated castor oil and
glycothymaline packs.
Cathiodermie:
A treatment performed with the use of low-voltage electrical
stimulation. It cleanses the face and stimulates skin regeneration.
Chi Kung:
A Chinese energy exercise where breathing and body movement recharge
energy.
Circuit
Training: A high energy aerobic workout combined with
weight resistance equipment.
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.
Compression
Wrap: A localized treatment for cellulite and fatty
deposits on arms, legs and buttocks.
Contouring:
Deep toning of muscles using calisthenics.
Crystal
Healing: Healing by using energy believed to be generated
by quartz and other crystals minerals.
Cure:
A course of treatment.
Cybex:
Patented exercise equipment used for isokinetic strength training.
Dancercise:
An aerobic session that makes use of modified modern dance steps and
movements.
Dead Sea Mud
Treatment: The application of Dead Sea mud, rich in
minerals to detoxify the skin and the body and to relieve rheumatic
and arthritic pain.
Deep Muscle
Massage: This type of massage eliminates knots, locked up
areas, and emotional blocks in the body due to prolonged stress. It
includes various leverage techniques and kneading for a very firm
massage.
Deep Tissue
Massage: The intent of this work is 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.
Equilibropathy: A method of balancing the body which can
be used to therapeutically treat ailments from asthma, migraines,
sore muscles, sinus congestion, vertigo, stiff joints including
gout, arthritis & rheumatism, lowered immunity and many more common
conditions and is particularly useful in the prevention of all types
of illnesses.
Ergometer:
Exercise machine designed for muscular contraction.
Esalen
Massage: A long, gentle and stroking style of massage.
European
Facial: A specialized skin care treatment which includes
a mild exfoliation and the a special combination of herbal extracts
and active substances from nature. Deep cleansing, steam,
exfoliation and professional massage of the face, shoulders and
chest area nourishes and refines the skin. A special masque hydrates
the skin.
Exfoliating
Facial Treatment: Peels away dry skin cells and removes
deeply-trapped secretions that impede oxygenation. Marine sediments,
mineral salts and lipoamino acids stimulate circulation and add
moisture.
Exfoliation:
Peels away dry skin cells and removes deeply-trapped secretions that
impede oxygenation.
Fango Body
Treatment: Thermal fango mud from Italy is applied to the
entire body to gently cleanse, release toxins, remineralize,
nourish, and soothe the skin. Also used to relieve muscular and
arthritic pain.
Feldenkrais:
A method to reprogram the nervous system through movement
augmented by physical pressure and manipulation.
Floatation:
Float in tanks 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.
G5:
Percussive hand massage to relax tense muscles.
Glycolic
Facial: This breaks down the glue bond that holds dry
skin on the face, then creates a rapid exfoliation to soften lines
and smooth the skin.
Gommage:
A cleansing and moisturizing treatment that makes use of creams
applied with movements similar to those of an extensive massage.
Hellerwork:
Deep tissue bodywork, stress reduction and movement reeducation.
Herbal Wrap:
use of strips of cloth soaked in a herbal solution that are wrapped
around the body. This treatment is followed by a period of rest. It
is used to eliminate impurities and to detoxify the body, as well as
to induce relaxation.
Herbology:
Therapeutic use of herbs in treatments and diet.
Holistic
Health: A philosophy of well-being that considers the
physical, mental and spiritual aspects of life as closely
interconnected. It attempts to restore balance by curing all three
aspects.
Homeopathy:
Based on the principle that "like cures like," this form of medicine
treats patients with natural substances that cause symptoms much
like those manifested by the ailment, thus stimulating the body to
heal itself.
Hydration
Facial: Utilizes enzymes and hylauronic acids which
promotes superior hydration of stressed skin cells. A mask of
paraffin and essential oils are applied to rehydrate and revitalize
the skin.
Hydrotherapy:
A traditional therapy which includes underwater jet massages,
showers, jets and mineral baths.
Interval
Training: A combination of high energy exercise followed
by a period of low intensity activity.
Jin Shin
Acupressure: Gentle yet deep finger pressure on specific
acu-points with body focusing techniques to help release physical
and emotional tension and armoring, assist the immune system,
alleviate common ailments, and harmonize the flow of life energy
within the body. Performed without oil.
Jin Shin Do:
An ancient art of harmonizing life energy within the body practiced
by placing fingertips over clothing on designated areas.
Kneipp Kur:
Treatment combining hydrotherapy, herbology, and a natural
food diet.
Kur:
A course of treatment.
Lomi-Lomi:
Hawaiian rhythmical rocking massage.
Loofah Scrub:
A total body scrub with a Loofah sponge, to exfoliate the skin and
stimulate circulation.
Low
Intensity Aerobics: A form of aerobics without jumps, to
spare the body possible and useless micro traumas.
Lymph
drainage: A special therapeutic massage that uses a
delicate pumping technique to drain sacs of water and trapped
toxins. It is considered by many as an anti-aging treatment. Lymph
drainage may be performed with manual massage, hydromassage or
aromatherapy massage.
Moor therapy Treatment: Formed
more than 30,000 years ago, Moor Mud is a complete nourishing matter
containing over 800 plants with at least 380 having known medicinal
value. Treatments remineralize, hydrate & exfoliate the skin leaving
it with a vital, healthy glow.
Mud Treatment: A treatment with
mineral-rich mud that may be mixed with oil and water. The mud are
applied to the body as hot packs to detoxify the body, loosen the
muscles and stimulate circulation.
Naturopathy: Natural healing
prescriptions using plans and flowers.
Parafango: A combination of
Fango mud and paraffin wax (refer to Paraffin Mud Treatment).
Paraffin Mud Treatment: Mud
mixed in paraffin used to relieve rheumatic and arthritic pains.
Paraffin Treatment: Heated
paraffin is rubbed over the body, trapping heat, absorbing toxins
and inducing relaxation. It leaves the skin as soft as silk.
Paraffin 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.
Parcours: An outdoor trail with
exercise stations along the way.
Perfector Therapy: The use a low
current that sends tiny electrical impulses to the muscles,
stimulating them which in turn leads to cell regeneration, lymph
cleansing, toxin removal and more toned and firmer skin and muscles.
Phytotherapy: Healing through
plants, involving the use of herbs, aromatic essential oils,
seaweeds, herbal and floral extracts.
Polarity Massage: A massage
technique used to release energy through a delicate manipulation
technique.
Polarity Therapy: Balancing
energy in the body through a combination of massage, meditation,
exercise, and diet.
Polish: A gentle process using
large sea sponges to cleanse, exfoliate, hydrate and soften the
body.
Pressotherapy: Treatment with
pressure cuffs to improve the circulation of the feet.
Rasul: An Oriental ceremony for
body care involving a cleansing seaweed soap shower, medicinal muds,
and an invigorating herbal steam bath.
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. This ancient
Oriental treatment relieves stress and releases energy and pressure
throughout your entire body.
Reike: The Ancient Art and
Science of balancing the body's energy on a physical and emotional
level.
Repichage (Age Repair Treatment):
A treatment performed on the face and on the entire body with
the use of a combination of herbal, clay, seaweed or mud face-packs
to produce a cleansing and moisturizing effect.
Rolfing: Bodywork that improves
balance and flexibility through manipulation of rigid muscles,
bones, and joints. Intended to relieve stress and improve energy.
Salt Glow: The body is rubbed
with coarse salt, sometimes in combination with fragrant oils, to
remove the top layer of dead skin and stimulate circulation.
Sauna: Dry heat in a wooden room
is used to open the pores and eliminate toxins through sweat. In
combination with refreshing cold showers, saunas can improve the
body's immune defenses and favor recovery from stress.
Scotch Hose
Massage: A massage received in a standing position and
performed by a therapist who uses a hose to spray strong jets of
water on the body, alternating hot and cold water or using sea
water. This treatment is used to decongest inflamed muscles and to
stimulate circulation.
Seaweed Wrap: Wrap (or pack) of
concentrated sea water and seaweed with a balanced content of
oceanic nutrients. Minerals, rare elements, vitamins, proteins are
diffused in the blood stream to revitalize the skin and the body.
Shiatsu: Acupressure massage
technique developed in Japan. Pressure is applied to specific points
of the body to stimulate or release the 'meridians' (paths of the
body through which energy flows. This helps to revitalize the
balance of the immune and endocrine systems and to stabilize energy
flow.
Spa: Means the "cure of water".
It has transformed into wonderful treatments utilizing the benefits
of sea and mineral water.
Spinning: Performing a series of
exercises seated on special exercise bikes: stretching, low
intensity aerobics, high intensity aerobics, body contour, yoga,
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.
Excellent when preparing for sports activities or after a strenuous
workout.
Steam Room: A room with seats in
which steam is generated at high pressure and temperature . This
treatment is used to open the pores and eliminated toxins.
Step Aerobics: Aerobic sessions
performed with a small platform used to step up and down.
Stretching: Various parts of the
body are stretched by assuming different positions. This technique
helps eliminate stress and tension and increase flexibility.
Sugaring: An ancient hair
removal process.
Swedish Massage: A classical
European massage technique characterized by a delicate manipulation
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, directed onto the body at
various levels, produce the effect of an invigorating massage.
T'ai Chi: A form or Chinese
martial art that favors a constant flow of energy. It combines
mental concentration, slow respiration and graceful movements
similar to those of a dance.
Thai: 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: A detoxifying
treatment of sea products used to exfoliate, balancing skins pH and
hydrate.
Thalassotherapy Massage: A
massage using seaweed oil .
Trager Massage: Massage that
uses delicate and slow movements to relieve tension and realign the
body.
Vichy Shower: A shower taken
lying on special mattresses with various jets coming from above.
Vodder Massage: A manual lymph
drainage massage technique.
Waxing: The removal of body
hairs with hot wax.
Weight Lifting Work-out: Aerobic
exercises that make use of the resistance offered by weights.
Whirlpool: A tub of hot water
with high pressure side jets. It is a treatment that loosens
inflamed and overworked muscles and induces relaxation.
Yoga: An oriental practice that
uses special positions (asana) 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. It is also
a philosophical discipline
Click here
to return to Spa Travel Guide. >> |
