Articles starting with “A”

The results analysis includes answers from all respondents who took the Snapshot Survey in an eight-day period from Friday, August 16, 2019 to Friday, August 23, 2019. During this time, 229 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 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 majority of all spa respondents offer training of the following types to their employees: in-house, hands-on vendor training (93 percent), virtual vendor training (72 percent), customer service training (83 percent), leadership/management training (69 percent), new employee orientation (95 percent) and retail sales training (79 percent.) On the other hand, a minority segment of resource partner respondents receive training in the following areas: complimentary hands-on training at the client’s spa (48 percent), complimentary hands-on training at your company office (20 percent), hands-on training at your company office (33 percent), training/tutorial videos (45 percent), live virtual training (43 percent), web-based training (43 percent). In addition, 18 percent do not offer training opportunities at all.

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.

In terms of social media marketing, Facebook and Instagram are the most used platforms by spa respondents, at 97 percent and 79 percent, respectively. More than half of spa respondents reported they do not use LinkedIn (52 percent), Pinterest (59 percent) or Snapchat (64 percent) in their company’s marketing efforts. On the other hand, the majority of resource partners use all social media tools mentioned, in addition to Twitter. The largest segment of resource partner respondents said that Facebook and Instagram were ‘very effective’ tools at 38 percent and 33 percent, respectively.

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.

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).

A calming full body chemical peel containing Alpha/Beta Hydroxy Acids that will brighten, smooth, and soften skin and reduce breakouts.

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.

Healing using human and animal encounters.

Description of Offering:
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.