St. Croix Directory of Holistic Health - Glossary of Holistic Health

Abu Ari Ankh Ka are healing dances and spirited yogic movements based on ancestral & sacred traditions designed to make the mind, soul, body, spirit and consciousness come to life. These poses of power support & strengthen the integration of mind, body and spirit in all spheres of one's development for healing and natural living practices.

Acupressure, an ancient healing art using similar key meridian points as acupuncture, is actually the older of the two. Gentle but firm finger pressure is used to stimulate the body’s natural self-curative abilities.

Acupuncture is a form of health maintenance using the insertion of hair-thin needles along energy meridians to stimulate the body’s ability to correct and balance itself.

Ai Chi combines concepts of T’ai Chi, Shiatsu and Qi Gong techniques into a flowing water exercise and relaxation program. The sixteen fluid movements, performed in shoulder depth water, are easily learned and enjoyable to experience first hand. Deep breathing and slow broad movements of the arms, legs and torso increase oxygen and calorie consumption, joint range of motion and soft tissue mobility.

All Game, a transformational board game, allows players to explore beliefs, thought patterns, strengths and areas of growth that correlate to the seven chakras. The game is facilitated by a trained guide in a four hour workshop with four to six players.

Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils, aromatic essences, distilled from a single botanical source. True essential oils have nothing added to them, and nothing taken away, and can have many different effects on the body, mind and spirit. They can be sedative or stimulating; some have an analgesic and antispasmodic effect, most are antibacterial, and can aid in skin care and wound healing. Among the therapeutic uses of essential oils - in baths, inhalations, compresses, creams or lotions, perhaps the most pleasant and relaxing, is through aromatherapy massage.

Belaví Facelift Massage is not a "facial," but rather a massage-oriented treatment for the face. A luxurious, safe, gentle method of treating the problems of sagging, aging skin without surgery, the Belaví system uses acupressure points, lymphatic drainage strokes and facial massage strokes designed to firm aging skin, stimulate blood and oxygen, release toxins and soften lines.

Bodywork refers to therapies that facilitate the manipulation of the physical or energetic body.

Chair Massage, one of the most convenient methods of massage therapy, lasts about 15 minutes and is done while fully clothed. Also called Seated, Corporate, or On-site massage, chair massage promotes better circulation and muscle stimulation, reduces tension in the back, neck and shoulders, providing deep relaxation.

Chakras, derived from the Sanskrit word for wheel, are used to describe seven major centers of energy in the body: Crown, brow, throat, heart, solar plexus, abdomen, and spine or root.

Chelation Therapy removes abnormally situated nutritional metals and toxic metals such as lead from the body via bonding with EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid), a man-made amino acid, introduced intravenously.

Colon Hydrotherapy, an internal bath, is used to wash away old toxic waste accumulated along the walls of the colon.

Cranio-Sacral Therapy is a holistic, hands-on technique involving gentle manipulation of the bones of the skull, the underlying meningeal membranes, and the nerve endings in the scalp to treat a range of conditions from headaches, dizziness, and whiplash to sinus and ear infections. Corrects imbalances in the cerebrospinal fluid system and allows the body to better heal itself and maintain health

Creativity Development teaches, motivates, directs, interprets, and evaluates the creative potential of an individual through the visual arts towards self awareness and transformation.

Deep Tissue techniques are generally designed for more focused massage work. Working a specific joint, muscle or muscle group, the practitioner can access deeper layers of the soft tissue. Each person experiences pressure differently. Starting superficially and easing into the depth of the muscle slowly often allows more movement.

Doula is a woman experienced in childbirth who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support, from massage to aromatherapy to continuous reassurance and coping techniques, to the mother before, during and just after childbirth.

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), based on ancient principles of acupuncture, is a simple tapping procedure that gently re-aligns the body’s energy system without the discomfort of needles. EFT incorporates an emotional element to the healing process, addressing unresolved emotional issues as a likely cause of physical disease, psychological dysfunction and personal performance limits.

Energy Work is the art and practice of re-aligning and attuning the body by means of the chakras, auras and/or energy polarities.

Herbology is an ancient way of healing found in many cultures utilizing plants and derivatives, including teas, tinctures, extracts, oils, ointments and compresses, as preventative or curative medicine.

Hot Stone Massage is a specialty massage using smooth, heated stones, most commonly basalt, a black volcanic rock that absorbs and retains heat well. The stones come in various shapes and size, from tiny little stones that are placed between your toes to big stones the therapist uses to massage your back. There are several trademarked styles of stone therapy including La Stone and THStone. Cold stones are also utilized in some techniques.

Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis to access the subconscious mind to treat phobias and change behavioral patterns. During hypnosis, the mind goes into a state of focused concentration which is similar to deep relaxation, allowing the conscious mind to be by-passed and the subconscious mind to be open to receiving and acting upon verbal suggestions to help alter existing patterns.

Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) uses light-pressured strokes in a specific direction to stimulate the lymph vessels just below the surface of the skin without increasing blood circulation or reaching the depth of muscle tissue. MLD helps remove excess water, protein and wastes from connective tissue through the lymph system which then carries the filtered, purified fluid back into the blood stream.

Meditation can be a state of deep relation reached through posture, imagery, mantras or control of breath, to heal the body, quiet the mind, reach higher levels of consciousness and provide a sense of inner balance.

Naturopathic Physicians or Doctors (ND) have received a comprehensive education in conventional as well as natural medicine, including homeopathy, herbal, nutritional or traditional Chinese medicine.
 
Neuromuscular Therapy is the utilization of static pressure on specific myofascial points to relieve pain. This technique manipulates the soft tissue of the body (muscles, tendons and connective tissue) to balance the central nervous system.

NIA, "neuromuscular integrative action", is a type of dance that integrates mind, body and spirit. Blending movements from ballet and jazz dance, the martial arts, yoga and tai chi, students can achieve cardiovascular benefit; improve strength, balance and flexibility; and learn about breathing and consciously moving energy through the body.

NKH, “Natural Knowledge & Healing”, therapists are practitioners and seekers of light for global healing trained in arts and sciences of psycho-physiological therapies.
NTR, “Natural Transformational Rhythms”, are a fusion of eclectic therapies that enhance and strengthen the body's ability to heal using nature cures, herbs, organic foods, wholesome psychotherapies & a multiplicity of other modalities for healing to be supported.

Numerology is the study of the mystical or esoteric relationship between numbers and the character or action of physical objects and living things. Founded by Pythagoras, numerology uses the numbers present in the birth date and name of an individual to explore one’s potential, core personality, abilities, and the values by which he or she lives.

Oxidation Therapy is one of the first lines of defense against bacteria, virus, yeast and parasites. Medicinal grade hydrogen peroxide, a hormonal regulator, introduced to the blood and bodily fluids splits into water and free oxygen, increasing oxygen in the cells of the body.

Pilates® strengthens core muscles, improving muscle control, flexibility, coordination, strength and tone, as well as alignment and breathing.

Polarity Therapy is a comprehensive healing art developed by Dr. Randolph Stone that promotes balance and optimal health through bodywork, diet, exercise and self-awareness.

Positional Therapy releases the body’s habitual holding patterns in particular areas through simple hands-on techniques. Results are immediate and often permanent, and the techniques are gentle.

Psychotherapy is an analysis and treatment of psychological, emotional or physical illness that can manifest as a result of complex interpersonal dynamics.

Reconnective Healing, a technique based on the work of Dr. Eric Pearl, does not involve any physical contact or manipulation. Instead the practitioner uses their hands to focus a flow of high level energy into the energy field that surrounds the client's body (aura), renewing the human body on all levels and stimulating the energy channels and DNA strands to reconnect with their original state of wholeness and unity.

Reflexology utilizes repeated specific pressure applied to points found on the feet and hands, viewed as mirror images of the body, with reflexes corresponding to every part and organ of the body. Stimulating these reflexes encourages natural healing.
Reiki is a scientific method of activating and balancing life-force energy (qi, ki, prana, chi) via light hand-placement techniques on the body to channel energy to organs and glands and align the chakras.

Rolfing®, a technique of stretching and moving the connective tissue (fascia), lengthens and balances the body along its natural, vertical axis.

Smai Tawi Movements: Yogic and dance movements that are grounded within the principles of sacred unity and the union of the two regions of our physical body and sacred mind.  This ancient Nilotic system is designed to strengthen one's khamittment to self-study, self-discipline, self-knowledge and prayerful meditation.

Swedish Massage utilizes long, flowing strokes, often but not necessarily in the direction of the heart. Six basic strokes: effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapotement, compression and vibration are designed to increase circulation and blood flow. Oil, cream, or lotion is applied on the skin to reduce friction and allow smooth strokes.

Synergy Yoga and Dance is movement therapy based on the principles of polarity therapy to restore and balance energy.

Tai Chi, meditation in movement, is an ancient Chinese Taoist martial art form combining mental concentration, coordinated breathing, and slow graceful movements to relax, regulate heartbeat, and improve muscular, neurological, glandular, and organ function.

Thai Massage, also known as passive/assisted yoga or Thai bodywork, it is usually soothing because of its emphasis on stretching and loosening the body. It is also known as Ancient massage because its roots go back far into history, originating in India and then becoming popular in Thailand. The therapist leans into the client's body using hands and forearms to apply firm rhythmic pressure to almost every part of the body.

Therapeutic Massage is the practice of applying pressure or vibration to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and joints. A form of therapy, massage can be applied to parts of the body or successively to the whole body, to heal injury, relieve psychological stress, manage pain, improve circulation and relieve tension.

Trigger Point Therapy applies pressure to specific points, areas of a muscle that refers pain sensations to other parts of the body, leading to immediate release of tension and improved muscular functioning. This work is based upon the trigger point research and manuals of Dr. Janet Travell and is sometimes incorporated into other styles of massage therapy such as neuromuscular therapy (NMT).

Watsu (Aquatic Shiatsu) applies the stretches and principles of Zen Shiatsu, stretching of the body's connective tissues, gentle mobilizations of the body’s joints, and application of acupressure while floating the client in warm chest deep water.

Yoga utilizes stretching postures, breathing and meditation techniques to calm the mind and emotions and tone the body. Originating in India many thousands of years ago, it is the oldest system of personal development in the world encompassing the entire body, mind and spirit. (CYI – Certified Yoga Instructor)

Zero Balancing is a unique system of structural acupressure that aligns both the physical and energy bodies.