Spa Terminology - Page 2

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makeup application - Art or teaching of techniques for using cosmetics appropriate to an individual's skin type, style, and age.

massage - Manipulation of tissues, usually manually, to improve health and well-being by relaxing muscles, relieving tension, and improving circulation.

medical spa - Destination or day spa that offers traditional and complementary medical services supervised or administered by medical professionals. A spa may specialize in diagnostic testing, preventive care, cosmetic procedures, or a combination.

meditation - Practice of using mental skills to perform such feats as focusing attention on a single object for a long period of time; cultivating compassion, which involves the transforming of negative events; and creating a state of pure awareness of thoughts, emotions, and sensations without reacting. Meditation is said to increase emotional well-being and is being studied for alleged benefits to physical health.

metabolism - Rate at which a body burns up fuel and transforms it into energy.

microdermabrasion - Facial exfoliation procedure in which skin is "sandblasted" with ultra-fine crystals of aluminum oxide or other ingredients to remove top layer of skin.

mindfulness - Non-judgmental, undistracted state that is a goal of meditation and involves being aware of oneself and one's surroundings.

mineral springs spa - Spa offering an on-site source of mineral-rich thermal or seawater that is used in hydrotherapy or thalassotherapy.

moor peat baths - Uses mud harvested from a moor or a peat marsh that is rich in proteins, organic matter, vitamins, and minerals. It is used as a body or facial treatment to hydrate and exfoliate the skin and in a bath to ease aches and pains.

organic - Food produced with the exclusive use of feed or fertilizer of plant or animal origin and without the use of chemicals in any fashion, including growth hormones, pesticides, fertilizers.

oxygen facial - From "porous bones," progressive disease in which bones become weaker. It most commonly affects post-menopausal women. Weight-baring exercises are helpful in maintaining bone health, as is sufficient intake of calcium.

PADI - Professional Association of Diving Instructors; PADI courses are often offered by resorts to certify beginning scuba divers

panchakarma - Cleansing and rejuvenating program for the body, mind, and consciousness based on Ayurvedic medicine and meant to clear the body of toxins, restore balance, strengthen the immune system, and promote calm. May involve massage, sweat therapy, yoga, diet, etc.

parafango - Volcanic mud is mixed with paraffin wax to alleviate aches and pains caused by such illnesses as rheumatism and arthritis.

paraffin treatment - Heated paraffin wax is brushed over the body to soothe muscles and, by drawing out the dirt, removing the dead skin, and drawing out perspiration through the head, leave skin clean and soft.

photo rejuvenation - Treatment with laser light to smooth wrinkles, diminish the appearance of age spots, broken capillaries, and rosacea

phytotherapy - Healing treatment with plants, such as herbs and seaweed, and in the form of aromatic essential oils and herbal and floral extracts, applied in conjunction with massage, packs and wraps, water and steam therapies, inhalation treatments, and homeopathy.

Pilates - Body conditioning program developed by Joseph Pilates meant to develop flexibility and strength without building bulk via a system of controlled movements and specially designed exercise equipment.

polarity massage - Therapeutic, relaxing treatment involving hands placed along the energy meridians, stretching, and light rocking to bring the body's own energy into balance.

power walking - See race walking

power yoga - Energetic workout involving a sequence of postures (asanas) that flow into one another and that emphasize building body heat and breaching mindfully. Stretches and strengthens muscle while creating a calm and clear mind.

Qi Gong (also spelled Chi Gung or Chi Kung) - From qi (energy) and gong (the achievement that comes from practice), a group of Chinese self-healing exercises. They combine simple movement, breathing, and mental imagery to relax and strengthen the body and the mind.

race walking - Aerobic, energetic, exaggerated form of fast walking to maintain cardiovascular health, burn calories, and develop stomach, thigh, and buttock muscles.

reflexology - Ancient Chinese technique that uses pressure-point massage, usually on the feet (but also on the hands and ears), to restore the flow of energy throughout the entire body.

reiki - Japanese healing technique in which practitioners use their hands to bring energy into the body for deep relaxation and wellbeing.

repaichage - Full-body treatment meant that uses a combination of clay, herbs, seaweed, and mud to deal with the differing cleansing and moisturizing needs of different parts of your body and face.

resort spa - Spa facility offering treatments and services at a vacation destination that also offers such activities, such as golf, tennis, horseback riding, skiing, water sports, and children's programs.

restorative yoga - Passive yoga poses lasting up to 20 minutes, supported by pillows, towels, etc., and meant to encourage relaxation via the release of tension in the muscles and spine. Also quiets the mind, rejuvenates the body-mind connection, and doesn't require flexibility or athletic ability of other forms of yoga.

Roman bath - Traditionally, a series of hot, warm, and cold pools, but today used to refer to a hot whirlpool or Jacuzzi with benches.

rosacea - Common facial skin disorder characterized by redness on the cheeks, nose, chin, or forehead; small visible blood vessels on the face, bumps, or pimples, and water or irritated eyes that usually affects people over 30.

Saint-John's-wort - Medicinal herb taken in tablet, brewed as tea, or used as ointment believed by some to relieve mild to moderate depression. May be counter-indicated for anyone on antidepressant medication or who is photosensitive or allergic.

salsa dancing - Dance that combines rhythm and blues, jazz, and rock and is accompanied by Latin American music; may be used as aerobic workout.

salt glow - Body treatment in which skin is rubbed with coarse salt, sometimes in combination with fragrant oils, to exfoliate and stimulate circulation.

sand painting - Tantric Buddhism artistic tradition involving the use of colored sand on a wooden platform to create a design according to ancient iconography. Also a Native American tradition. The paintings are destroyed after a short period as a metaphor for the transitory quality of life.

sauna - Bathing process that consists of periods of perspiring in the heat and steam created by throwing water on heated stones. In combination with refreshing cold showers, sauna therapy is said to enhance the body's immune system and relieve stress.

Scotch hose - Water massage through high-pressure hose while client is standing. The therapist alternates hot and cold and fresh or salt water to relieve sore muscles and stimulate circulation.

seaweed wrap - Body treatment using concentrated seawater and seaweed that contains nutrients including minerals, rare trace elements, vitamins, and proteins. Said by proponents to detoxify, increase circulation, and improve appearance of cellulite.

sensory-deprivation flotation capsule - Enclosed tank filled with warm water and Epsom salts in order to create a dark, peaceful environment, similar to that in the womb, to promote total relaxation.

shiatsu - Massage technique developed in Japan in which therapist applies pressure to specific points in the body to simulate and unblock "meridians" (pathways through which energy is said to flow).

shirodhara - Ayurvedic treatment lasting 7 to l0 minutes during which stream of oil is poured in the center of your forehead (on your "third eye") in order to help you focus, concentrate, and relax your mind and body.

spa - The International Spa Association(ISPA) defines the word spa in the following way: "Spas are devoted to enhancing overall well-being through a variety of professional services that encourage the renewal of mind, body and spirit."

Spinning - Indoor cycling on stationary bikes that allow riders to adjust resistance to make pedaling easier or harder. Class instructors guide students through a virtual hilly course and cue students about adjusting resistance.

sports massage - Indoor cycling on stationary bikes that allow riders to adjust resistance to make pedaling easier or harder. Class instructors guide students through a virtual hilly course and cue students about adjusting resistance.

steam room - Room where temperatures are kept at 110 to 130° F and humidity is generated in order to soften the skin, clean the pores, calm the nervous system, and relieve tension.

step aerobics - Low-impact aerobic activity performed by stepping on and off a platform that usually ranges from four to ten inches high to tone hips, legs, and buttocks

stress management - Combination of physical exercise, deep relaxation techniques, and visualization techniques meant to reduce the ill effects of stress on the body.

stretching - Extending and lengthening muscles slowly, then in a static manner when hitting resistance. Meant to increase flexibility and relieve stress by improving circulation, and facilitating blood flow to the muscles, heart, and brain.

sugaring - Ancient depilation process that involves applying a sugar-containing sticky paste to the skin, then pressing on a cloth or paper strip and quickly removing it to remove unwanted hair. Estheticians in some states must be licensed to perform this procedure.

Swedish Massage - Classical European massage technique of manipulating muscles with the use of massage oils. Meant for relaxation and to improve circulation, ease muscle aches and tension, and improve flexibility.

sweat lodge - Traditional Native American place for ceremonial purification and meditation involving the use of intense heat in a sauna-like environment.

Swiss shower - Treatment that involves powerful shower jets directed at the body from various heights, creating the effect of an invigorating massage.ge

tai chi - Chinese martial art that uses forms, stylized gestures regulated by deep breathing, and the movement of the diaphragm to unite body and mind in order to achieve mental clarity, balance, and improved circulation. It involves mental concentration, visualization, and graceful, dancelike movements.

temazcal - Also known as a sweat lodge. A traditional healing method involving heat that is practiced by indigenous North and Central Americans. Inside a dome-like structure, participants gather around a pit where water is poured over heated stones. The steam is meant to relax and detoxify, and thus to create a relaxed, balanced, contemplative state.

Thai massage - Traditionally done on the floor, with client dressed in loose clothing, a full-body treatment that involves passive, yoga-like stretching and pressure-point massage along the body's major energy channels to release blocked energy, relieve tension, and increase awareness and tranquility.

thalassotherapy - Treatments using sea and seawater products such as seaweed and seaweed wraps. See also hydrotherapy.

Traeger massage - Therapy developed by boxing trainer Milton Treager, MD, that uses gentle, rhythmic movements to relieve tension, ease movement (especially in joints), and induce relaxation. Compressions, elongations, and light bounces as well as rocking motions are involved.

Transcendental Meditation - Simple means of meditation that allows you to quiet the mind through repetition of a personal mantra (word or phrase given you by an instructor) for 20 minutes once or twice a day.

Turkish bath/hamam - Bathing procedure that involves going through a series of steam rooms of increasing elevated temperature, followed by a rubdown and massage and finished off with a cold shower.

vegan - Vegetarian who eats no dairy products or any other food derived from animals.

vegetarian - One who eats only fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and sometimes eggs or dairy products.

vichy shower - Inspired by treatments in the French thermal spa city, involves client lying down on a table atop a cushioned mat and under a spray of warm water from a five- to-seven head shower system. It is meant to reduce stress, hydrate, and improve circulation.

watsu - Healing massage treatment performed in a warm pool in which the therapist administers rhythmic movements, pressure-point massage, and stretches to help client achieve deep relaxation.

waxing - Depilation process that involves application of warm wax followed by a strip of cloth quickly pulled away from skin to remove unwanted hair.

weight training - Use of free weights or weight machines in a series of repetitive exercises meant both to tone the body and add or replace lean muscle mass and also to raise metabolism.

yoga - Ancient art and philosophy that involves both mind and body and is aimed at self-development and self-realization. The physical practice of yoga involves performing postures (asanas) and using controlled breathing and meditation to stretch and tone the body and improve circulation.

zen - Japanese teaching with origins in ancient China whose belief is that the only path to enlightenment is through direct, intuitive insight-by focusing solely on your essential nature.