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Acupressure
Traditional Chinese pressure-point massage used to stimulate the flow of energy in the body.

Acupuncture
Traditional Chinese healing technique based on Taoist philosophy. It can be administered by using needles, low-voltage electric current (electro acupuncture), or pinpoint massage (acupressure).

Aesthetician(Esthetician)

Someone that specializes in the study of skin care, including facial treatments, body wraps, salt glows, waxing as a form of hair removal, chemical peels and microdermabrasion.

Anti-aging
Product or treatment that combats or defends against the aging process.

Aromatherapy
Treatments such as massage, facials, body wraps, or hydrobaths that include the application of fragrant essential oils. Different oils are used for different therapeutic benefits.

Ayurveda
Ancient Indian system of traditional folk medicine from India using a variety of techniques, incorporating nutrition, herbal medicine, aromatherapy, massage, and meditation to restore the organism to perfect balance.

Bindi
Bodywork combining exfoliation, herbal treatment, and light massage.

Body wrap (herbal wrap)
Treatment in which strips of cloth are soaked in herbal teas and cocooned around the body.

Botanicals
Plant part or extract used in hair or skin products.

Brush and tone
Dry brushing of the skin intended to remove dead layers and impurities while stimulating circulation. This is one of many exfoliating techniques used as a pretreatment for mud and seaweed body masks that are formed by the application of a moisturizing lotion.

Chakra
Ayurvedic term for energy "center." It is believed that there are seven chakras, which are all interconnected and which must be balanced.

Cranio-sacral therapy
Treatment that focuses on the connection between the skull and the base of the spine along the spinal column. The therapist's palpitations in those areas are said to release blockages in the circulation of the cerebral-spinal fluid and allow it to flow more freely.

Dead sea mud treatment
Application of mineral-rich mud from the Dead Sea in Israel. Used to detoxify skin and body and to ease painful symptoms of rheumatism and arthritis.

Dry brush
Procedure using a natural-bristle brush to remove dead skin and impurities while stimulating circulation. This is one of many exfoliating techniques used prior to mud and seaweed body masks.

Effleurage
Massage technique involving quick, long strokes used at the beginning and end of certain treatments.

Essential oils
Aromatic liquids extracted from flowers, grasses, fruits, leaves, roots, or trees. The oils maintain the odors and tastes, and thus the essence, of the plant they are extracted from.

European facial
Treatment that begins with deep cleansing, steam, exfoliation, and professional massage of the face, shoulders, and chest area, followed by special mask that hydrates the skin.

Exfoliation
Procedure to slough top layer of dead skin cells off the face or body. Dry brush, loofah scrub, and salt glow are among the techniques used in conjunction with ingredients including grape seed, sugar, clay, and salt.

Facial
Generic term for treatment of skin in the face that usually includes massaging, cleansing, toning, steaming, exfoliating, and moisturizing.

Herbal wrap
Treatment using strips of cloth soaked in a heated herbal solution to wrap around the body. It is used for relaxation and said to eliminate impurities and detoxify.

Hot stone therapy
Relaxing, therapeutic treatment in which dark, smooth stones heated in hot water or hot spring pools are placed or stroked with light pressure on areas of the body such as the back, in the palms, and between the toes. Cold stones may also be used.

Hypoallergenic
Cosmetic products alleged by manufacturer to create fewer allergic reactions among those who are sensitive. However, no federal standards govern the use of this term.

Kensho

The experience of seeing ones true nature. The first experience of satori, consciousness; an abrupt awakening usually acquired after vigorous stimulation.

Kinesthetic awareness
Sensitivity to the moment of your body through space that contributes to your ability to balance and move rhythmically and fluidly. It is sometimes developed as a self-awareness technique for spiritual growth.

Lymphatic System

A complex network of lymphoid organs, lymph nodes, lymph ducts, lymphatic tissues, lymph capillaries and lymph vessels that produce and transport lymph fluid from tissues to the circulatory system. It is a major component of the immune system.

Massage
Manipulation of tissues, usually manually, to improve health and well-being by relaxing muscles, relieving tension, and improving circulation.

Meditation
Practice of using mental skills to perform such feats as focusing attention on a single object for a long period of time; cultivating compassion, which involves the transforming of negative events; and creating a state of pure awareness of thoughts, emotions, and sensations without reacting. Meditation is said to increase emotional well-being and is being studied for alleged benefits to physical health.

Microdermabrasion
Facial exfoliation procedure in which skin is "sandblasted" with ultra-fine crystals of aluminum oxide or other ingredients to remove top layer of skin.

Mindfulness
Non-judgmental, undistracted state that is a goal of meditation and involves being aware of oneself and one's surroundings.

Nirvana

The ultimate state of awareness, and the penultimate state of harmony.

Organic
Food produced with the exclusive use of feed or fertilizer of plant or animal origin and without the use of chemicals in any fashion, including growth hormones, pesticides, fertilizers.

Paraffin treatment
Heated paraffin wax is brushed over the body to soothe muscles and, by drawing out the dirt, removing the dead skin, and drawing out perspiration through the head, leave skin clean and soft.

Qi

Qi can be viewed as a physical form of energy circulating throughout the body, similar to the flow of blood. Traditional Chinese Medicine often refers to "meridians" or "channels" through which Qi flows. The meridians, or channels, are different from blood vessels because they are not pipe-like structures. Rather, the Qi permeates the body like an ocean of energy, and the meridians are like the currents that circulate through it. Acupuncture points are locations on the body where the meridians, or currents, rise close to the surface of the skin. This offers points where the Qi can be accessed through the use of acupuncture needles and other techniques.

Reflexology
Ancient Chinese technique that uses pressure-point massage, usually on the feet (but also on the hands and ears), to restore the flow of energy throughout the entire body.

Reiki
Japanese healing technique in which practitioners use their hands to bring energy into the body for deep relaxation and well being.

Rosacea
Common facial skin disorder characterized by redness on the cheeks, nose, chin, or forehead; small visible blood vessels on the face, bumps, or pimples, and water or irritated eyes that usually affects people over 30.

Salt glow
Body treatment in which skin is rubbed with coarse salt, sometimes in combination with fragrant oils, to exfoliate and stimulate circulation.

Satori

A state of consciousness, often associated with enlightenment. Satori is an awareness of Buddha nature.

Seaweed wrap
Body treatment using concentrated seawater and seaweed that contains nutrients including minerals, rare trace elements, vitamins, and proteins. Said by proponents to detoxify, increase circulation, and improve appearance of cellulite.

Shiatsu
Massage technique developed in Japan in which therapist applies pressure to specific points in the body to simulate and unblock "meridians" (pathways through which energy is said to flow).

Swedish Massage
Classical European massage technique of manipulating muscles with the use of massage oils. Meant for relaxation and to improve circulation, ease muscle aches and tension, and improve flexibility.

Waxing
Depilation process that involves application of warm wax followed by a strip of cloth quickly pulled away from skin to remove unwanted hair.

Yoga
Ancient art and philosophy that involves both mind and body and is aimed at self-development and self-realization. The physical practice of yoga involves performing postures (asanas) and using controlled breathing and meditation to stretch and tone the body and improve circulation.

Zazen

A Japanese sitting meditation as practiced in Zen Buddhism. Unlike other forms of meditation, Zazen is not simply a means to an end.
Dogen Zenji said, "Zazen is itself Enlightenment, one minute of sitting, one minute of being Buddha."

Zen
Japanese teaching with origins in ancient China whose belief is that the only path to enlightenment is through direct, intuitive insight-by focusing solely on your essential nature.