India Spa.org About Spa What is Spa

About Spa

What is Spa

The word spa conjures up images of mud baths and meditation classes, spa cuisine in a serene desert setting.

But spas, lately, seem to be popping up everywhere: office buildings, strip malls, village storefronts. Salons and Korean nail places throw the word around. How can they all be spas?

First, there are different kinds of spas. At a destination spa, the whole environment is geared toward the four cornerstones of a spa experience: mind and body fitness, healthy eating, relaxation and treatments. You generally go there for at least two or three nights and immerse yourself in the spa atmosphere. Some people go to help them make lifstyle chnages. The destination spa is sometimes confused with a resort spa, which is one of the many amenities at a resort, along with golf, tennis and as much fatty food as you feel like eating.

At the day spa, people can drop in for massages, facials, body treatments, manicures and pedicures. Often, day spas are an extension of a hair salon. This is fine, as long as the spa offers a quiet, serene, environment.

But no one is regulating use of the word spa. That's why some salons promote spa services when all they have is one massage table, or use names like "spa pedicure." If you have any doubt, check out the facilities yourself before booking an appointment. Just drop in and ask for a quick tour.

At a minimum, a day spa should offer professionally administered massages, facials and body treatments in a quiet, serene atmosphere. At its most elaborate, a destination spa like Canyon Ranch has a staff of physicians, psychologists, nutritionists and physical therapists. It offers so many classes, lectures and services that and so many things going on that you could spend months there and still not experience them all.

What does it mean? It's up to you, the spa-goer to figure out what kind of service and experience you want, and find the place that suits you.

Mineral waters and hot springs - the original spas - have been part of relaxation and healing in many cultures for centuries. Towns with hot springs grew into popular destinations for holiday retreats.

Today this concept is still intact but greatly expanded into modern health resorts offering just about everything for what relaxes, what energizes and what ails you. Contemporary spas cater to people who want to lose weight, get in shape, simply relax or luxuriate with pampering treatments. They offer all the elements you need for a healthy lifestyle including nutritious food - fitness activities - body treatments - medical evaluations - behavioral management counseling - nutrition education - stress management - holistic health - spiritual growth - movement therapy - exercise physiology and more.

You'll find spas in all shapes and sizes - at a mountaintop retreat, in the heart of the city, on a tropical island, in a desert oasis or in the serene countryside. What they have in common is they all specialize in wellness. To one degree or another, each addresses physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Some have distinct specialties while others can tailor your stay for your preferences.

Generally, spas fall into seven categories:

Club Spa - a facility whose primary purpose is fitness and which offers a variety of professionally administered spa services on a day-use basis.

Cruise Ship Spa - a spa aboard a cruise ship that provides professionally administered spa services, fitness and wellness components and spa cuisine menu choices.

Day Spa - a spa offering a variety of professionally administered spa services to clients on a day-use basis.

Destination Spa - a spa whose sole purpose is to provide guests with lifestyle improvement and health enhancement through professionally administered spa services, physical fitness, educational programming and on-site accommodations. Spa cuisine is served exclusively.

Medical Spa - individuals, solo practices, groups and institutions comprised of medical and spa professionals whose primary purpose is to provide comprehensive medical and wellness care in an environment which integrates spa services, as well as conventional and complimentary therapies and treatments.

Mineral Springs Spa - a spa offering an on-site source of natural mineral, thermal or seawater used in hydrotherapy treatments.

Resort/Hotel Spa - a spa owned by and located within a resort or hotel providing professionally administered spa services, fitness and wellness components and spa cuisine menu choices.