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Thai
Traditional massage without oil that utilizes pressure on pressure points, muscles and ligaments and manipulations to elongate the spine, stretch joints and relieve tension. Elicits a feeling of well being, energy and flexibility.
Thai Face Slapping
Other Name(s):
Massage Boxing, Face Slapping Natural, Face Slapping Facial
Definition of Offering:
A treatment that includes pinching and working the skin with light slaps to shrink pores and remove wrinkles.
Thalassotherapy Bathing
Thalassotherapy uses the healing and beneficial properties of the sea (which is rich in minerals, micro elements and vitamins) and the marine environment for health and wellbeing. Thalassotherapy baths when heated up to just over 90 degrees Fahrenheit have various therapeutic benefits.
The 2024 ISPA U.S. Spa Industry Study’s Full Report Marks The 25th Anniversary of the Spa Industry’s Benchmark Study
Released this summer to ISPA members, the 2024 ISPA U.S. Spa Industry Study enables data-minded business leaders to discover the essential insights you need to navigate the evolving spa industry. The comprehensive 74-page report was commissioned by the ISPA Foundation to document the industry’s performance in 2023 amidst economic challenges such as price inflation and rising interest rates. The report offers critical data about ongoing pressures on consumer purchasing power and operational costs following the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 2025 Insider’s Guide to What’s Shaping Spa Now
These days you can’t go to a spa without a blessing with water. You can’t go to a spa without a little prayer to yourself—an intention. You can’t go to a spa without taking a bath—in sound—downsized from pipe organs to singing bowls. What’s shaping spa now is church-like. But it’s older than any organized religion. We’re embracing the ritualization of everything.
Classic rituals are morphing—as always. Sitting cross-legged and focusing on your breath has become a knee-shaking immersion in breathtakingly cold water. A home ice bath is now $199 at Costco (buy the ice on the way out) or buy Kohler’s new home version, which will take your breath away anytime for about 10 grand. It (ultimately) feels so good and is so good for you—but it’s called a plunge for a reason.
The Balancing Act: Preserving Your Spa’s Identity Across Locations
Scaling a spa business presents an exciting opportunity for growth but comes with its own set of challenges. It’s about more than simply replicating what worked in your first location—it requires preserving the essence of your concept while adapting to the unique dynamics of new markets, meeting guest expectations and ensuring operational consistency. Thoughtful and strategic expansion offers spa professionals a chance to refine what makes their brand special while reaching new audiences.
The Business Case for Strong Workplace Culture
Whether good, bad or unremarkable, every company has a unique workplace culture. Distinct from corporate ethos or organizational values, “culture comes to life in subtle ways—through shared social norms, beliefs and practices,” Gallup finds. “It’s this intangible (often unspoken) nature of culture that can make it difficult to measure and manage.”
“Culture can seem elusive because it’s rooted in patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviors—in the abstract, not the concrete,” the report finds. But while the philosophical nature of workplace culture eludes those of us who prefer the crisp analysis of hard data, great leaders know “it matters to employees and customers alike, affecting outcomes for organizations every day.”
The Complexities of Spa Employment: The Limitations of Independent Contractors
For two years, the industry has puzzled, Where have the workers gone? and even more, How do we get them back? The refrain has grown louder: We are hiring! Experts have been called in to consider other questions: not only How do we find people to fill these roles within spa world?, but How do we retain them so we don’t have to keep looking and expending resources?
A plethora of creative solutions has been offered: going straight to the source and hiring from schools, opening new education programs to broaden the pool of applicants, pursuing the Interstate Massage Therapy Compact (IMpact) to remove licensure obstacles in hopes it will broaden the talent scope, recruiting international talent and offering flexibility and incentives to lure workers. These ideas are well intentioned, and each may meet the needs of a particular environment to achieve the ultimate operational goals; but they may open the door to unexpected legal pitfalls. A bit of caution and consultation in your jurisdiction may be helpful to ensure long term planning and success.
The Facial Upsell
My definition of a great facial is when I fall asleep. Once I make it past the torture of the pore extractions, I settle in to a peaceful, meditative state. If I have to ask if I was purring (because, of course, I don’t snore), then it was an exceptional experience.
The Five-Star Spa: The Spa at The Broadmoor
The spa at The Broadmoor is a 43,000-square-foot retreat that masterfully blends European elegance with modern luxury. Since its opening in 1994, this Forbes Five-Star spa has remained a serene haven for guests seeking a truly indulgent experience. A major renovation in 2004-2005 expanded the space, and a refresh in 2020 ensured the spa continues to captivate visitors with its timeless charm.
Designed to evoke the essence of a classic European bathhouse, The Spa at The Broadmoor features calming hues of blue, cream and gold, with every detail thoughtfully chosen to reflect the property’s Italian-inspired architecture. “We wanted to create a space that feels both luxurious and peaceful,” says Assistant Spa Director Saundra Quintana. This design approach ensures guests can enjoy the spa’s many amenities in a private and seamless manner.