SPAS - DESCRIPTION AND GLOSSARY OF ACTIVITIES
ACCUPRESSURE
Finger massage designed to release muscle tension and promote healing by applying pressure to "energy points" or "meridians" in the body. The pressure applied to these vital points (the same points used in acupuncture) was identified by medical practitioners in China centuries ago and is believed to improve the flow of energy (chi) throughout the body. Similar in many ways to Shiatsu.#1
ACUPUNCTURE
An ancient oriental healing technique discovered and developed more than three thousand years ago, acupuncture is based on Taoist philosophy. The aim is to balance the energy meridians to permit the body to "heal itself. A relatively painless technique, it is administered by inserting fine needles at key points of the body that relate to different organs in order to relieve muscular, neurological and arthritic problems, cure disease and relieve pain (as in surgery). Alternative related techniques include the use of low voltage electric current (electro acupuncture), or pinpoint massage (acupressure) to those key body points#1.
AROMATHERAPY
An ancient healing art dating back to 4500 B. C., Aromatherapy usually refers to treatments such as massage, facials, body wraps or hydro baths with the application of essential oils from plants, leaves, bark, roots, seeds, resins and flowers. These oils are used to treat emotional disorders, organ dysfunction, and skin problems through a variety of internal and external application techniques.
Plants and flowers from which these oils are extracted include rosemary, lavender, roses, camomile, eucalyptus and pine.#1
AYURVEDIC
An ancient system of traditional folk medicine from India that employs a large variety of techniques to restore the organism to perfect balance. These techniques incorporate nutrition, herbal medicine, aromatherapy, massage and meditation.#1
BEAUTY TREATMENTS
TBA
BIO-ELECTRICITY
Any form of human energy, prana or chi work. Equipment to monitor the brains electrical activity. Equipment used for creating natural bio-energy and also monitoring earth and humans auric field. Research looking into human energy and it's health benefits.
CHI GONG (CHI KUNG OR QI GONG)
This is the internal healing and meditative form of Chinese practice. It involves slow movements co-ordinated with deep breath work to increase health, vitality, co-ordination and concentration. Qi Gong literally means to "cultivate life force" and is said to originate thousands of years ago from ceremonial dances carried out by tribes in ancient China.
COUNSELLING
Listening, advice and guidance...
CREATIVE
Any facility that is providing creative workshops, for example: creative visualisation meditation, writing classes, acting schools, sculpting, woodwork and other arts and crafts
DANCE
Dance classes, facilities which have discos, parties and the opportunity to celebrate life through dancing.
DRUMMING
Destinations that have drummers playing, classes, special drumming retreats. Drumming for healing, music and religious practice.
ECO
Natural horticulture training. Self-sufficiency community training. Green fuels usage, organic gardening, and environmental positive action.
FLOATATION
TBA
HYDROTHERAPY
Long a staple in European spas, this is the generic term for water therapies using jets, underwater massage and mineral baths (e.g. Balneotherapy, Iodine-Grine Therapy, Kneipp Treatments, Scotch Hose, Swiss Shower, Thalassotherapy, and others. It also can mean a whirlpool bath, hot Roman pool, hot tub, Jacuzzi, cold plunge and mineral bath.
These treatments use physical water properties, such as temperature and pressure, for therapeutic purposes, to stimulate blood circulation, dispel toxins and treat certain diseases.#1
HYPNOTHERAPY
May be described as the use of hypnosis as a psychotherapeutic tool. HYPNOSIS Inducing an altered state which has been compared to a state of deep meditation or transcendence in which the innate recuperative abilities of the psyche are allowed to flow more freely.#1
KUNG FU (OR GONG FU)
Means hard work over a long period. This is the term used for the more physical aspect of Chinese martial arts. Tough physical training, stretching and learning the fighting form make up a Kung Fu session. The training can also include physical strengthening techniques like Steel jacket and breathing practises that combine to help internal and external fitness. The focus is on physical and mental concentration through training which must be sustained over a long periods to achieve it's goal.
MASSAGE (THERAPY)
Manipulation of skin, muscle and joints (usually by hand) to relax muscle spasm, relieve tension, improve circulation and hasten elimination of wastes. It also stretches connective tissue and improves circulation. A wonderful antidote to stress and muscle tension, massage does not rub away weight, but will rub away fatigue, inducing relaxation.
Various forms of massage include: Acupressure, Athletic Massage, Polarity Massage, Reflexology, Rolfing, Shiatsu, Sports Massage, Swedish Massage, Traeger Massage, Watsu.#1
MEDIATION
Meditation is like medication for the mind. There are many styles and methods but most involve witnessing the mind, it's thoughts and slowing down your mental processes to find a peaceful but alert state of mind.
It can be done using mantras, repeating a sacred sound over and over like "OM", focusing on a pattern or pictures ( Yantra or mandala). Sitting upright and watching the breath, visualising a symbol, an inner journey or story that we imagine ourselves in or simply witnessing the world and our thoughts without attachment.
Some retreats offer working meditation which cultivates your self-awareness, compassion and understanding while you work! This means some manual jobs can become more rewarding and enjoyable.
Meditation may help to let go of past issues, help to deal with stressful situations more calmly and lead to more contented lives without always striving for something or perpetually thinking about the past or the future, just living in the moment.
Some people who practice meditation can actually control their brainwave patterns, heart rate and breath and have reported finding incredibly blissful stillness within. Remember the mind is the monkey and it's out job to be in charge of it rather than it ruling us. There are many different levels and depths of meditation and it has been proved scientifically to increase Alfa brainwave patterns that create a more relaxed state of mind. Deeper stages can create more Alfa and Theta brainwaves associated with hypnogogic states of mind that create more blissful hypnotic like dreamscapes and sometimes even out of body experiences.
Peace first comes from within; meditation can help achieve this.
REFLEXOLOGY
Ancient Chinese technique using pressure point massage (usually on the feet, but also hands and ears) to restore the flow of energy throughout the body.
Also known as zone therapy, a turn-of-the-century practice fostered by three American physicians (Bowers, White and Fitzgerald). In their view, energy travels from critical zones of the body and ends its journey in the feet. Charts are available showing which zones correspond to which internal organs. The theory is that when excessive granular texture is felt in the feet as pressure is applied, it indicates the presence of uric acid crystallisation. By rubbing the crystals on the nerve endings in the soles, a reflex reaction is supposedly set up between the zone and its associated body part. Reflexology is one of the massage techniques a person can learn to self-administer.
Reflexology is recommended for chronic conditions such as asthma, headaches and migraines. Applied as hand, foot or ear massage using pressure points similar to acupressure.#1
REIKI
Meaning "universal life-force energy," a scientific method of activating and balancing the life-force energy present in all living things. Techniques are applied to the entire body, channelling energy to organs and glands, and aligning the chakras (energy centres). Intended to relieve acute emotional and physical conditions. Derived from the Japanese art.#1
SACRED SITES
Any destination where there is a site that has religious and spiritual associations. Churches, sites where earth energy converges and particularly stone circles are places where we can connect with our inner nature and the energetic forces that are part of the earth's' structure and spirit consciousness. The GateKeeper Trust is a charity that organises sacred journeys and pilgrimages to sacred sites where we can help to heal ourselves and help to heal the earth too!
SALT WATER
Fresh salt-water spa facilities salt water swimming pools and associated therapies.
SHIATSU (MASSAGE)
Means "finger" (shi) "pressure" (atsu), a cross between acupuncture and massage developed in Japan by Tokujiro Namikoshi in the 1940s. Like acupressure, Shiatsu works with vital points and energy meridians and uses finger-thumb-palm pressure. Unlike acupressure, Shiatsu also manipulates other parts of the body in the course of treatment. Intended to stimulate the body's inner powers of balance and healing. #1
STEAM ROOM
A ceramic-tiled room with wet heat generated by temperatures of 110-130° Fahrenheit designed to soften the skin, cleanse the pores, calm the nervous system and relieves tension.#1
STONE THERAPY
LaStone Therapy, the originators of this therapy back in the 1990's by Mary Nelson, say that this therapy incorporates thermo-therapy which uses hot and cold stones (Basalt and marble) alternately to help draw toxins away from organs to the surface of the biggest organ - the skin. Then the cold marble stones are used to stimulate blood flow and help move toxins out into the blood stream.
Stone therapy can also be a deeper tissue massage than using just hands and can be very good for sports injuries and treating specific areas. For retreats that supply this go to Babington House, Bath; The sanctuary women's only London, The refinery, men only London Lygon Arms Worcester. http://www.lastoneth erapy.co.uk
TAI CHI CHUAN
This Chinese art consists of graceful continuous movement and breath work following various forms and sequences. This art combines self-defence, the principles of Taoism and healing work similar to Chi Gong to help our lives in many ways.
TANTRA
Tantra literally translated means the weave or the loom and was practised more before Hinduism and the Brahmins arrived in India. Tantra is said to be a way of life that worships and harnesses the natural energies in life. Tantra, historically, leans more towards feminine symbology and divine creativity with a very useful philosophy to understand and enjoy life in a spiritual, emotional and physical way. There are many mantras and other meditations to help expand your mind and reach higher levels of self-understanding and spiritual enjoyment.
WOMEN AND MEN ONLY RETREATS
Today many men and women are interested in developing themselves and growing within a one-gender facility. Women only Christian retreats can focus on the feminine divinity and what it represents to women today. Men and Women only spas are appearing everywhere in London as a place where individuals can nurture themselves and revitalise to be more prepared and relaxed to face the challenges of relationships and work.
YOGA
In Sanskrit yoga translates into English to mean union or joining and originally it's a discipline which trains the body and mind for health, spiritual insight and tranquility.
Yoga is more commonly known as a system of specific stretching exercises utilising the breath (prana or life force) and concentration to increase blood flow, burn off toxins and reach a concentrated but relaxed state of mind.
When people refer to yoga they are usually referring to Hatha Yoga, which is the umbrella term, used among others: Ashtanga yoga, Iyengar yoga, or sivananda yoga.
A hatha yoga class usually consists of some breathing exercises (pranayana or life force control) some stretches and asanas (postures).
The depths of physical, spiritual and metaphysical awareness, understanding and proficiency that can be achieved by yoga and its path can be extremely rewarding for you and those around you. `
INTEGRATION
Today spas and retreats are integrating and many now supply both holistic therapies and modern hydrotherapy's to provide a fantastic destination for anyone wishing to look after themselves and get the best from their holiday or sabbatical.
Common ground is now more understood between religions where we are finding that if there is a God it is within all of us as we are only a part of the whole anyway.
Some of the more traditional belief systems are making way for a new integrated spiritualism where we find the beauty and acceptance within us first and then expand this to our surroundings and people around us.
There is no longer any need for one religion to think they are right and the other wrong. It is more to do with the interpretation of the belief system and what people use it for. Really there is only one God and we ALL are a part of it. It's not what you believe it's what you do with it...
Glossary Sources
#1 = source information supplied by The International Spa Association. For a full glossary of terms Click on this link http://www.experienceispa.com/glossary/glossary.html
