Pilates: An exercise system developed by Joseph Pilates that stretches, lengthens, tones, and strengthens muscles.

Polarity Therapy: This comprehensive healing system employs the energetic power of conscious touch, nutrition counseling, and gentle stretching to restore the optimum flow of energy, which when blocked can cause pain and disease.

Posture Analysis: Evaluation of the spinal column and associated muscles as well as gait, to create simple, individualized exercises that improve how you sit, stand, and walk.

Power Qi: A fusion exercise combining tai chi with weights. See also Fusion Exercise.

Raw Food: The alternative lifestyle cuisine known also as living food and life food where followers abstain from eating meals heated above 116 degrees, a temperature at which vital enzymes supposedly start to dwindle.

Reflexology: An ancient oriental system of applying pressure to reflex points on the foot to re-establish the flow of energy through the body.

Reiki: In this hands-on system of bodywork, therapists act as conduits, transferring healing forces into the bodies of their clients through holds and gentle pressure applied to precise areas of the body that coincide with energy meridians.

Resort Spa: Combine vacation fun with the spa experience. Spas found in a resort or hotel include spa services, fitness and wellness programs, and sometimes spa cuisine.

Rudraksha Bead Relaxation: A purifying Ayurvedic technique in which one lies in a room where thousands of copper-strung, dried rudraksha fruits are hung from ceiling to floor, creating a magnetic field that encourages the release of tensions. See also Ayurveda.

Salt Scrub/Salt Glow: An exfoliating body treatment using coarse salt to slough off dead skin cells.

Spa: A facility dedicated to bodywork, wellness, and pampering. Origin of the word attributed to either Salus per Aquam (health through water) or from the town of Spa in Belgium . Also refers to a hot tub.

Spa Suite: A treatment room designed for two often including a steam room, sauna, and/or oversize Jacuzzi bath.

Strength Training: Working out with free weights, resistance bands, or your own body weight to increase bone density, joint support, balance, and metabolism.

Thai Massage: Based on traditional bodywork from Thailand , this modality involves massage techniques and yoga-like stretches; the client is fully clothed and no oils are used.

T Tui Na: A Chinese healing therapy using acupressure and massage to balance the body energy flow, release toxins, improve circulation, and treat specific ailments.

Trigger-Point Therapy (also known as neuromuscular therapy): A therapist applies concentrated pressure to trigger points (knots or lumps in the muscle that can lead to pain in other parts of the body) to bring relaxation and relief from pain.

Vastu: The art of placing objects and elements to create a harmonious environment, often referred to as Indian feng shui. The theory is based on ancient principles of design and architecture that predate its Chinese cousin.

Vedic Astrology: Taking into account the movement of the planets, the ancient Vedic, or Jyotish, form has a karma-based ideology, relating individual actions and potential to cosmic truths.

Vichy Shower: Usually combined with a wrap or scrub, multiple showerheads spray down from above while the client reclines on a special table.

Water Bed: Used to enhance the body wrap experience, clients sink into a warm bed that forms a floating cocoon around them allowing for complete weightlessness and ultimate relaxation.

Water Interval Training: An intensive strength, cardio, and flexibility workout done in water.

Water Workout: A fitness program in a pool; increased resistance promotes muscle endurance and tone while buoyancy lets joints move more freely, improving flexibility and adding a serious element of play.

Water Yoga: Yoga postures performed in a pool.

Watsu: Shiatsu massage and gentle stretches performed in warm, waist-high water.

Yo-Chi: A fusion exercise combining yoga with tai chi. See also Fusion Exercise.

Yoga: Sanskrit for yoke or union, the ancient Indian practice unites the body with the mind through physical postures, breathing, chants, and meditation. Yoga inspires strength, flexibility, mental clarity, and a sense of spiritual peace.

Yogilatis: A fusion exercise combining yoga and Pilates.