Acupressure: Finger massage that releases tension by applying pressure to the nerves.
Abhyanga: Ayurvedic massage to improve hydration and relaxation without targeting specific areas. A daily ritual, traditionally its purpose is for total well-being and relaxation.
Aromatherapy: The use of pure essential oils in treatments such as massage, facials, wraps and baths for various therapeutic benefits.
Ayurveda: Veda means “knowledge”, and ayu is defined as “life”. Ayurveda is usually defined as the “science” or “knowledge” of life. Using the curative properties of plants, herbs and essential oils Ayurveda aims to relieve the stress, tension and emotion of daily life naturally
Balneotherapy: Spa treatments that generally use mineral water, including hot springs , mineral springs and seawater. These types of water are used in treatments to improve circulation, strengthen the immune system, and reduce pain or stress.
Balinese Massage: A dry oil massage that releases areas of tension through thumb and palm pressure techniques. Working along the body's energy meridians, the massage is deep and beneficial.
Body Contouring: Work on specific parts of the body, such as the abdomen, buttocks and thighs to improve toning and increased flexibility.
Body Scrub (Exfoliation): A treatment for the exfoliation of dead skin cells using various combinations of sea salt, essential oils, water, skin brush or loofah to massage the body and leave the skin silky soft.
Boreh: Balinese cleansing and exfoliating body treatment using herbs, seeds, grains, special oils and grated carrots. It is good for stimulating and increasing circulation. Not recommended for pregnant women.
Brushing: Dry brushing of the skin to remove dead layers and impurities while stimulating circulation. Best done with a natural bristle brush in long, sweeping strokes all over the body towards the heart.
Carrier Oils: Usually vegetable, nut or seed oils that is used to dilute and “carry” essential oils for use on the body. Many have their own therapeutic properties, too. Essential oils, due to their concentration, should always be mixed with carrier oil before using on the skin.
Chakra: Ayurvedic for energy center. We each have seven chakras, which are all interconnected. When balanced, the physical, mental and spiritual aspect of "self" is in a state of harmony, contributing to a state of health and well-being. Chakras run along the base of the spine to the crown of the head. When imbalanced, therapies such as Reiki, color and light therapy, crystal and stones are believed to re-balance the chakras. Yoga and meditative disciplines also contribute to re-balancing the chakras.
Cold Plunge: Deep cold water pool to stimulate blood circulation and rapidly cool the body. Especially good after a sauna.
Day Spa: A spa offering a variety of professionally administered spa services to clients on a day use basis only.
Dead Sea Mud Treatment: Application of mineral-rich mud from the Dead Sea to detoxify skin as well as ease the painful symptoms of ailments such as rheumatism and arthritis.
Deep Tissue Massage: Deep massage technique to free congestion of the muscle attachments. Muscle function and awareness are balanced, and elasticity is revived.
Destination Spas: These are centres that have been created to provide spa services and nothing else. The sole purpose is to provide guests with lifestyle improvement and health enhancement through professionally administered spa services; spa cuisine is served exclusively.
Detoxification: Process where the body is cleansed of accumulated poisons that can accumulate from addictive habits, such as smoking.
Dosha: In Ayurvedic medicine, the patient’s dosha or general body type, will need to be determined before the relevant treatment can be recommended. Broadly segmented into three categories based on the elements — Vata symbolises air; Pitta, fire and Kapha, water.
Duo Massage: Synchronous massage treatment done by two therapists. When done properly, the sense of touch isn’t discernible that four hands are performing the treatment.
Essential Oils: These are highly concentrated extracts obtained from various parts of the plant including flowers and leaves, berries, bark or citrus rinds, which carry unique therapeutic properties.
Esthetician: Skin care specialist who focuses on the treatment of skin as part of a beauty therapy such as a facial or the treatment and maintenance of "healthy" skin.
Exfoliation: Skin treatment to remove dry or dead cells from the surface of the skin. Commonly using marine sediments and/or mineral salts, it is used to stimulate circulation.
Holistic Spa: A Holistic Spa is one that focuses on alternative healing methods and nutrition, mainly with vegetarian or macrobiotic food. It seeks to provide visitors with a “high level of wellness” by integrating body and mind.
Homeopathy: This form of medicine treats with natural substances that cause symptoms much like those manifested by the ailment, thus encouraging the body to heal itself. Hot Plunge: Deep pool of hot water for the rapid expansion of the capillaries.
Hot Spring: A natural, sometimes volcanic, spring of hot mineral water.
Hot Stone Massage Therapy: A bodywork that involves the use of heated and cooled Basalt stones (Thermotherapy) applied to the body in various ways to bring about relief to stiff and sore muscles. The stones are heated to a temperature of 40-degrees Celcius.
Hot Tub: A wooden tub of hot or cool water to soak the body.
Hydration Facial: Utilises enzymes and hylauronic acids which promotes superior hydration of stressed skin cells. A mask of paraffin and essential oils is also applied to rehydrate and revitalise the skin.
Hydro Massage: An underwater massage in a hydro bath equipped with high pressure jets and hand manipulated hose to stimulate the blood and lymphatic circulations.
Hydro Pool: A pool equipped with various high pressure jets, air beds and neck fountains.
Hydrotherapy: Another term for balneotherapy, or any treatments utilising water as the primary facilitator. Generally fresh or spring water is used as opposed to seawater (thalassotherapy).
Infant Massage: Infant Massage is a holistic and natural way for a parent to bond with their child. It incorporates nurturing touch, massage, and reflexology in a loving, fun, one-on-one interaction that is nourishment for baby’s healthy development of mind, body and spirit.
Jacuzzi: A patented design of a whirlpool bath or a mechanism which swirls water in a bath with underwater jets.
Lomi-Lomi: A unique healing massage derived from the ancient Polynesians and master healers of Hawaii . Also known as the “Loving Hands” massage, it involves a rhythmic rocking massage technique.
Loofah: Considered one of the best exfoliants, a loofah is a sponge consisting of the fibrous skeleton of the fruit of the loofah plant. These cleansing sponges help gently exfoliate the skin, removing dead cells to reveal healthy new ones and improve circulation of blood throughout the body.
Lymphatic Drainage: A speciality therapeutic massage using a gentle pumping technique to drain away pockets of water retention and trapped toxins. Can be achieved through manual massage, hydromassage or aromatherapy massage.
Massage Therapies: Different massage therapies have evolved throughout the world over many centuries, for stress, muscle and tissue relaxation as well as manipulation of skin, muscle and joints.
Meditation: Meditation focuses on quietening the busy mind. The intention is not to remove stimulation but rather to direct concentration to one healing element - one sound, one word, one image or breath. Broadly defined, meditation could mean any activity that keeps attention pleasantly anchored in the present moment, without intrusion from memories of the past or plans for the future.
Pilates: Exercise routine of stretching and strengthening the body through coordinated breathing techniques.
Reflexology: A form of massage originating in China and concentrating primarily on the feet to restore balanced energy flow in the body. It works by applying some pressure to points corresponding to other parts of the body.
Steam Room: An area of wet hot steam that softens and cleanses the skin and relaxes the body.
Swedish Massage: Traditional Massage technique created in 1812 by Per Henrik Ling at the University of Stockholm using 5 different movements of massage (known as classical movements) resulting in a firm but gentle pressure.
Spa: An acronym derived from the Latin, solus per aqua, (health by water). Nowadays it encompasses the philosophy of balance between the mind, body and soul.
Sauna: Exposure to dry heat in a confined room to open the pores and eliminate toxins through sweat. In combination with refreshing cold showers, saunas can improve the body’s immune defenses.
Sports Massage: Deep tissue massage on muscles used in athletic activities.
Thai Herbal Heat Treatment: A traditional herbal massage using Pai root, tamarind leaves and essential oils to relax tired muscles.
Thai Massage: A technique that involves a unique combination of gentle rocking and stretching using a range of motion and acupressure techniques without the use of oils.
Watsu Massage: A massage therapy technique performed in a pool of water. Using shiatsu massage therapy in rhythmic, flowing movements, the therapist and you are both supported by the buoyancy of the water. This type of massage is deeply relaxing.
Wellness: The state of optimal well being, not simply the absence of illness, but an improved quality of life resulting from enhanced physical, mental, and spiritual health.
Whirlpool: A heated pool with high-pressure jets that circulate the water and relax the body.
Ylang Ylang: Pronounced “ee-lang ee-lang”, it has a sweet, rich and somewhat spicy aroma. Considered to be an aphrodisiac because it is simultaneously sedating as well as stimulating, Ylang Ylang is known for its unique calming abilities, and is especially useful when nervous tension, anger and anxiety are present. Often considered to have anti-depressant qualities, as an essential oil it can be quite soothing, and is excellent to use when relaxation is needed.
Yoga: A physical and philosophical discipline combining various poses with controlled breathing to improve muscle flexibility, improve circulation and calm the mind.
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