By Shelby Jones, ISPA

We all know the benefits of exercise, but when you combine that with meditation, stretching and a balanced diet you’re living what we call… a healthy spa lifestyle. September is National Yoga Month (as a pre-cursor to Spa Week Oct 10-16, of course) and spas around the country are offering classes to help you de-stress and clear out your mind. Stress is the No. 1 reason people go to the spa worldwide, and yoga is frequently a part of stress-reduction programs. If you need a reason to start stretching it might help to know that yoga helps improve muscle tone, flexibility and mobility, reduces stress and anxiety, and induces a sense of well-being.

According to ISPA’s research, yoga is the most popular mind, body and spirit treatment offered by spas; in fact, one in two resort/hotel spas offer these types of treatments. ISPA’s Medical Advisor, Dr. Brent Bauer, the director of the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program at the Mayo Clinic recommends yoga and meditation for reducing stress. Dr. Bauer says, “When you slow your breathing through meditation, your autonomic nervous system (which plays a role in our ‘fight or flight’ response and also allows us to rest) slows down and you get a great relaxation response.”

Now that you know what yoga can do for you it’s time to find the type of yoga (there are several) for your lifestyle. Some of the more popular types of yoga include:

Ashtanga

This type of yoga was developed by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (1915-2009), and involves synchronizing the breath through a series of postures. It’s also sometimes called power yoga and can be physically intense.

Bikram

This form of yoga is also known as hot yoga. Popularized in the 1970’s by Bikram Choudhury, it includes a set of 26 postures performed in a room heated to 105°. The heat allows for deeper stretching and injury prevention.

Hatha

A branch of yoga introduced in 15^th century India. This is the most basic form of yoga and focuses on slow breathing and meditation. This is a great class to try if you are a beginner.

Iyengar

Developed in India by B.K.S. Iyengar, this type of yoga focuses on body alignment. Poses are held for a longer period of time to concentrate on proper placement.

Vinyasa

Literally translated this form of yoga means breath-synchronized movement. Your movements are matched to your breathing patterns. This is a more intense class, so seasoned yogis will want to check it out.

If you want to learn more about different spa treatments visit ISPA’s spa glossary at experienceispa.com.

Shelby Jones is based in Lexington, KY at the ISPA headquarters, Spa Week’s exclusive trade partner. She has worked as ISPA’s Public Relations Manager for five years where she connects with top media outlets to promote ISPA members and the spa lifestyle. To get in touch with Shelby please email her or follow @ISPADoYou on Twitter. If you’re in the spa industry, we encourage you to become a member of ISPA; weekly e-mails with pointers like these are just one small part of the package to help you succeed!

By Shelby Jones, ISPA

It doesn’t matter if it’s five o’clock or not because it’s always happy hour when you’re at the spa. It might sound like a gimmick, but many spas are incorporating alcohol into their treatment menus. (Also remember that consuming alcohol in moderation can be a GOOD thing!)

Offering up a beer bath is a great way to get guys (or anyone) interested in a treatment, but what they may not believe is that it’s actually beneficial for their skin. In fact, wine, beer and whiskey all have therapeutic benefits for your skin. Beer yeast is rich in elements that increase skin elasticity and helps to improve acne by suppressing sebum. It has also been shown to have antibacterial properties. (Beer’s one of Rita Hazan’s hair tips too)

Grapes harvested for wine making are loaded with antioxidants to replenish the skin. A wine-infused treatment can help smooth skin tissue and stimulate the circulatory system. Vinotherapy is a staple at many spas located near a vineyard. The pulp of the grape is used as an exfoliant to help reduce the signs of aging.

Even hard liquor like whiskey has a place at the spa. Phytomalt, a malt extract from Scotch whiskey, is full of sugars, minerals and vitamin B6 giving it excellent hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties. No matter what your favorite drink is, after you try an alcohol-related treatment you’ll be coming back for another round in no time.

If you want to learn more about different spa treatments visit ISPA’s spa glossary at experienceispa.com.

Shelby Jones is based in Lexington, KY at the ISPA headquarters, Spa Week’s exclusive trade partner. She has worked as ISPA’s Public Relations Manager for five years where she connects with top media outlets to promote ISPA members and the spa lifestyle. To get in touch with Shelby please email her or follow @ISPADoYou on Twitter. If you’re in the spa industry, we encourage you to become a member of ISPA; weekly e-mails with pointers like these are just one small part of the package to help you succeed!

By Shelby Jones, Public Relations Manager, ISPA

It can be hard to know which type of facial to get when there’s a menu’s worth of offerings at your favorite spa. It all depends on how your skin feels, how it reacts to certain ingredients and what you want to accomplish. Celebrities like Madonna love an oxygen facial while supermodels Gisele Bündchen and Kate Moss opt for a deep-cleanse. If you’re clueless, it’s best to book a consultation with an esthetician to help you figure out exactly what your skin needs.

Some facials include extractions, where blackheads and whiteheads are manually removed from the skin. There is some debate amongst estheticians whether extractions should be done or not. It’s best to talk to your therapist before you begin your treatment to determine if extractions are right for your skin.

Deep-Cleansing Facial

This facial involves the use of machines or manual techniques to open pores, extract blackheads by hand, purify skin, close pores and revitalize skin. You should consider this type of facial if you have acne, or during warmer weather when skin can become more oily and prone to flare-ups. Read: Man’s First Spa Day and Facial

Microdermabrasion

This treatment is used to improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin, treat hyperpigmentation and reduce or remove scars. It’s a popular cosmetic procedure where the face is sprayed with abrasive crystals to remove dead cells. In fact, of the medical services offered at spas, microdermabrasion is the most popular (ISPA 2010 U.S. Spa Industry Study). Microdermabrasion can help to reduce fine lines and age spots. It can be performed in less than an hour, so you can get back to your normal routine immediately following the treatment. Read: 4-step Microdermabrasion in NYC.

Photo-facial/Intense Pulse Light Therapy

Photo-facial or Intense Pulse Light (IPL) therapy ranks fifth among the medical services offered at spas in the U.S. (ISPA 2010 U.S. Spa Industry Study). It works to stimulate the deeper tissues of the skin with concentrated light. This is a great treatment if you have redness, light acne scars, rosacea, broken capillaries or hyperpigmentation. Best of all, it’s a quick treatment that can be done on a lunch break so you can return to work after it’s over. Watch: IPL treatment in Spa Merge’s Organic Plant Stem Cell Facial.

Oxygen Facial

An oxygen facial delivers pure oxygen at a high pressure and anti-aging serum through an airbrush to the face. This treatment stimulates the skin so new collagen growth can occur. It’s designed to plump and smooth the face immediately. It’s perfect if you have a big event to attend or if you’re planning to have your photograph taken. Read: An alternative type of oxygen facial at The Pod Spa.

If you want to learn more about different spa treatments visit ISPA’s spa glossary at experienceispa.com.

Shelby Jones is based in Lexington, KY at the ISPA headquarters, Spa Week’s exclusive trade partner. She has worked as ISPA’s Public Relations Manager for five years where she connects with top media outlets to promote ISPA members and the spa lifestyle. To get in touch with Shelby please visit experienceispa.com, email her or follow @ISPADoYou on Twitter. If you’re in the spa industry, we encourage you to become a member of ISPA; weekly e-mails with pointers like these are just one small part of the package to help you succeed!

By Shelby Jones, Public Relations Manager, ISPA

The ISPA office is currently experiencing a wave of baby fever. Symptoms include overusing the words cute, precious and darling; debating the current celebrity baby name de jour (Harper Seven Beckham anyone?) and looking through gift registries that include items like Diaper Genies and Nap Nannies. If you’re experiencing a similar situation, then consider getting the mom-to-be a gift that will help her relax in preparation for Junior. A prenatal massage is the perfect way to help her prepare (you have to admit it sounds much better than a breast pump).

Pregnancy massage is widely offered at spas around the world. In the U.S. alone, 91 percent of spas offer a pregnancy massage. And, of the 80 percent of spas that offer special packages, 42 percent of those are pregnancy packages (ISPA 2010 U.S. Spa Industry Study).

Check out one of our bloggers’ Pregnancy Massage videos

Some pregnant ladies are leery of a massage, but we’re here to put those fears aside. According to the American Pregnancy Association, studies indicate massage therapy performed during pregnancy can reduce anxiety, decrease symptoms of depression, relieve muscle aches and joint pains, and improve labor outcomes and newborn health.

Massage therapists can be certified in prenatal massage, so it’s best to call your favorite spa and ask about a therapist’s certification before booking a treatment. During the massage, some therapists use a pregnancy massage table, which is a table designed to accommodate a woman’s pregnant belly. Others use specially designed pillows called bolsters to help position a woman comfortably on her side. Pregnancy massage experts adapt their techniques to address the changes a woman’s body goes through during pregnancy. Some massage therapists avoid massaging the abdomen and if they do, they use very light strokes.

Post-partum? Check out facials to avoid when breastfeeding, and what is safe.

If you want to learn more about different spa treatments visit ISPA’s spa glossary at experienceispa.com.

Shelby Jones is based in Lexington, KY at the ISPA headquarters, Spa Week’s exclusive trade partner. She has worked as ISPA’s Public Relations Manager for five years where she connects with top media outlets to promote ISPA members and the spa lifestyle. To get in touch with Shelby please visit experienceispa.com, email her or follow @ISPADoYou on Twitter.

Column by: Shelby Jones, Public Relations Manager, ISPA

It’s all Carrie Bradshaw’s fault. Ever since she first started stepping out in Manolos, Jimmy Choos and Louboutins on Sex and the City feet around the world have been suffering. Ladies (and some guys) will pay a pretty penny for designer shoes, but many of us won’t put any money down when it comes to taking care of our feet. After stuffing your toes into six-inch stilettos they are probably swelling, blistering and aching.

So what’s a stylish girl to do? The answer lies at the spa (of course!) and there’s one treatment that will make you feel like you’re walking on air. Reflexology is an ancient Chinese technique that uses pressure point massage (usually on the feet, but can also be performed on the hands and ears) to restore the flow of energy throughout the body.

It’s also known as zone therapy, a turn-of-the-century practice developed by three American physicians. In their view, energy travels from critical zones of the body and ends its journey in the feet. Charts showing which zones correspond to which internal organs are utilized during the treatment. The theory is that when excessive granular texture is felt in the feet as pressure is applied, it indicates the presence of uric acid crystallization which could lead to gout and kidney stones. By rubbing the crystals on the nerve endings in the soles, a reflex reaction is supposedly set up between the zone and its associated body part. Reflexology will not only make your feet feel fabulous, but it’s also recommended for chronic conditions such as asthma, headaches and migraines.

Even if you can’t make it to the spa, reflexology is one massage technique that you can do yourself or have a partner perform on you. Coupled with a pedicure, reflexology is the perfect remedy to get your feet back in shape and ready to tackle your favorite pair of heels.

If you want to learn more about different spa treatments visit ISPA’s spa glossary at experienceispa.com.

Shelby Jones is based in Lexington, KY at the ISPA headquarters, Spa Week’s exclusive trade partner. She has worked as ISPA’s Public Relations Manager for five years where she connects with top media outlets to promote ISPA members and the spa lifestyle. To get in touch with Shelby please visit experienceispa.com, email her or follow @ISPADoYou on Twitter.