Articles starting with “A”

Other Name(s): 
Abhyanga, Oil Massage, Four (4) Handed Massage, Oleation, Loving Hands Massage

Definition of Offering:
A full-body oleation massage using dosha-appropriate oils, touch, marmas, strokes and cleansing procedures to promote proper hydration, circulation and reduce stress.

Description of Offering:
Abhyanga in Sanskrist means "loving hands". This treatment is referred to as the dance of loving hands, as one or more therapist utilizes warm herbalized oil to nourish and feed deeper tissues to leave the skin and body feeling revitalized and relaxed.

Background

A form of ayurvedic medicine that involves massage of the body with large amounts of warm oil which is often pre-medicated with herbs for specific conditions.

Other Name(s): 
Artificial Nails, Fake Nails, False Nails, Fashion Nails, Nail Extensions

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.

Background

Other Name(s): 
N/A

Definition of Offering:
An ancient oriental healing technique discovered and developed more than three thousand years ago, acupuncture is based on Taoist philosophy.

Description of Offering:
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.

The offering has its roots in ancient practices.

A counseling technique where the  helps the client become aware of and understand his/her self worth and goodness. 

Background

The Alexander Technique is a method that works to change (movement) habits in our everyday activities. It is a simple and practical method for improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, support and coordination.

Other Name(s): 
Alexander Method, Alexander Process

Definition of Offering:
The Alexander Technique is a method that works to change movement habits in our everyday activities. It is a simple and practical method for improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, support and coordination.

Description of Offering:
The release of unnecessary muscular tension is vital to our well-being; if our muscles are habitually over-tightened our bodies become distorted, unbalanced and compressed. The Alexander Technique offers a way to let go of such destructive tension by learning to monitor the way we coordinate ourselves in any activity so that we can carry out that activity with the minimum of strain.

The offering is a modern creation (originated after 1800).

Amma Therapy is a specialized form of bodywork that combines energetic, rhythmic massage to the energetic channels with precise pressure to specific acupressure points based on clients needs and assessment.

The high humidity and absence of pollen in caves makes them an ideal setting to treat people with allergies and ailments of the respiratory system.

Of those that reported higher revenue, 27 percent reported an increase of more than 20 percent in comparison to the first quarter of 2014.  However, the first quarter of 2015 was clearly a period of fluctuating fortunes for all spas – 24 percent also reported a decline in gross revenue. Resource partners fared significantly better, with only three percent reporting a decline in revenue.

Just like in gross revenue, a significant majority of respondents also reported an increase in quarterly profit. Not surprisingly the numbers were remarkably similar – 70 percent of respondents reported higher profits with 20 percent noting that profits had increased by more than 20 percent, with six percent booking an increase of more than 50 percent. However, the fact that fewer respondents reported a quarterly loss than reported a decline in revenue shows the importance of cost management when dealing with a period of declining revenue.

The largest group of spa respondents (29 percent) fell in the up by 1-9% increase range. When asked about the level of gross profit change when comparing quarter one of 2016 versus the same time in 2015, 72 percent of spas saw an increase.

A majority (73 percent) of spa respondents reported first quarter 2016 spa visits were up compared to the same time in 2015. In regards to workforce changes, a little less than half (42 percent) filled vacant positions only during the first quarter of the year. Thirty-one percent of day spa members said they added new positions during this quarter compared to 26 percent of resort/hotel spas. When asked about average retail revenue per treatment, the largest group of spas (30 percent) fell in the $5-$10 range. Only seven percent of resort/hotel spas reported an average retail revenue per treatment of more than $25 compared to twenty-three percent of day spas.

Another encouraging trend found in the data is that spa visits were up for the ninth consecutive quarter across all segments of spa respondents. Seventy-two percent of all spa respondents reported that visits were up, with 76 percent of day spa respondents and 69 percent of resort/hotel spa respondents reporting an increase.

Spa visits also continue to increase with 72 percent of all spa respondents reporting that spa visits were up when comparing the first quarter of 2018 with the first quarter of 2017. For day spas, this figure was slightly higher at 78 percent.

The results analysis includes answers from all respondents who took the Snapshot Survey in an eight-day period from Friday, April 19, 2019 to Friday, April 26, 2019. During this time, 181 ISPA members responded to the survey. The categories “all spas” and “ISPA Spa Members” referred to within this report include data from all spa respondents (day, resort/hotel, medical and destination spas).

The aquamedic pool experience joins together a traditional swimming pool with hydrotherapy treatment stations. This style pool typically has a variety of moving water options for guests to enjoy. Options include geysers, waterfalls, bubble bathing, and jets positioned for several areas of the body.