The Advent of Holistic Spa Services: Industry Professionals Should be Trained and Ready

Holistic spa services have become increasingly popular in the western world because of the incredible benefits of mind and body harmony and healing. The therapies featured at a holistic spa are derived from ancient principles of the Eastern healing arts. With the advent of holistic spa services comes the need for professionals to be trained and ready to work in the industry.

A holistic spa offers a variety of healing therapies that include minerals, herbs and essential oils for a combination of Eastern healing arts, relaxing and calming your mind. Techniques frequently featured at holistic spas include massage, aromatherapy and reflexology. Each of these techniques requires specialized training to understand the combination and administration of elements necessary to deliver a successful healing session.

Because holistic spas are in greater demand, the spa industry is booming. The need for training professionals to administer holistic techniques is rising because of the increased awareness of the effectiveness of holistic therapies. Additionally, there is a need for other trained spa staff such as receptionists and managers. If you are looking for an exciting, rewarding career in a growing industry, consider an education today in spa management and holistic therapies for a great spa job tomorrow.

The Top Spa Services that Will Attract New Clients and Keep Them Coming Back

When it comes to attracting new clients to the spa, the oldies, but goodies are always a great place to start. Massage is the number one service that attracts clients to the spa. The most popular massage is by far the Swedish massage. This is a good massage for the beginner and when performed by a well-trained therapist, your clients will want to return again and again. You can also offer other types of massage such as hot stone, aromatherapy, and Shiatsu for those who want to try something new and different.

Other popular spa services include facials and body treatments. Providing exfoliating facial masks and treatments that relax the face, stimulate the muscles, and target problem skin areas are the types of services that clients are looking for. Body treatments, such as salt scrubs or body wraps are great for beginners and leave them feeling rejuvenated and ready to make their next appointment!

You can also add indigenous treatments to your menu that combine ingredients popular in the spa’s local region with massages or other therapies. This might include using peach scrubs in Georgia, volcanic ash mud baths in Hawaii, or blueberry body wraps in Maine.

Choosing to Include Acupressure Massage on your Spa Menu: Tips and Pitfalls

When it comes to adding new therapies to your spa menu, make sure they are going to provide your clients with relaxation, enjoyment, and results. Acupressure massage is a therapy that can fulfill these requirements, but it’s essential that you hire trained and qualified therapists.

Shiatsu is one of the most popular and aggressive acupressure massage methods around. This ancient Chinese massage applies pressure to certain parts of the body in order to cause a response from other parts of the body. Acupressure can provide relief for stress, relax the mind, increase circulation, remove toxins, promote healing, increase energy, relieve cramps, alleviate arthritis pain, reduce migraines, and even decrease labor pains.

Each pressure point can specifically trigger a mind or body response. Many of these pressure points are near the spine and a client can actually be injured if too much pressure is applied around these areas. Knowing how long to apply pressure to each point is also an important factor.

While adding these exotic massage techniques to your menu may be tempting, make sure you hire qualified and well-trained therapists who know how to perform acupressure properly before you have a lawsuit on your hands rather than satisfied customers.

Aestheticians and Therapists with Attitude Don’t Belong in a Client Focused Spa Setting

The spa industry is a people industry, yet many of the people who work in the spa industry seem to have forgotten this little fact. The main goal of any business is to make money and when you’re in the business of making people happy you have to remember that when they don’t leave happy, you don’t make money!

One of the simplest ways to assure that your spa clients remain happy is to treat them with respect and a positive attitude. While this is often easier said than done, your spa staff needs to remember that client satisfaction is the bread and butter of the spa industry. A successful spa is one that maintains a high level of repeat business and clients won’t come back if they are treated badly.

Aestheticians and therapists with a negative attitude need to keep this in mind because most repeat customers return to a spa because of how they were personally treated, no matter how wonderful their massage was! A bad attitude can ruin even the best spa treatment, so make sure your staff understands how important it is that the only attitude that’s acceptable in the work place is a positive one.

Spa Management is a New and Emerging Career Trend: How to Get an Edge

Due to the wildly popular spa trends that are exploding around the world, a career in spa management is one that is a fairly new choice for many business-minded professionals. With all of the opportunities that spa management has to offer, now is the time to get into this ever-increasing industry while it’s hot.

In order to prepare yourself for a future in spa management, you need to get an edge on the competition. This means becoming a triple threat that will attract the best spa management opportunities from around the world by becoming skilled in spa business management, understanding the fine art of customer service, and getting practical experience in the industry.

In order to achieve these highly sought-after traits, you’ll need to get the specified training necessary to be able to successfully manage a busy spa location. Enrolling in a management program that focuses specifically on the spa industry and gives you the tools necessary to handle the demands and challenges that come with managing a spa is essential. Running a spa is very different from running a retail store, hotel, or restaurant, so having this specialized training will make you stand out among the rest.

Trends in the Spa Industry: A Management Point of View

According to the International Spa Association (ISPA), nearly one quarter of Americans have visited a spa and the current trends are focusing on the needs of these educated consumers.

Spa-goers want lifestyle classes, such as healthy cooking, stress management, and medical health courses.

Spa-goers want stress relief in order to relax, soothe sore muscles, and to get an emotional boost.

Rather than being pampered, the typical spa-goer now wants specific results to repair injury, reduce pain, control headaches, or lose weight.

More clients want medical treatments, including chemical peels, microdermabrasion, body wraps, and acupuncture.

Builders are now building houses and condominiums that focus on spa-living and wellness.
Many clients go to the spa to meet other people, so provide opportunities or special activities that allow clients to socialize.

Spa-goers want to control their own spa environment by choosing their own music, lighting, temperature, scents, and oils.

Male clients want products and services that focus on their specific needs and requirements.

The majority of spa-goers visit the spa while on vacation and men are more likely to go to a spa on vacation.

Spa-goers are interested in experiencing new textures, scents, and sounds while at the spa, especially when traveling.

A Comprehensive Review of Reputable Spa Industry Associations Worldwide

International Spa Association
The International Spa Association (ISPA) represents nearly 2,700 spas in 75 countries. They provide educational and networking opportunities for members in order to promote spa industry growth. They offer excellent research materials and trend reports that can increase your spa’s profits. Membership includes PULSE magazine subscription, listing in the ISPA directory, and discounts on business tools, staff development, marketing assistance, and conference fees. (www.experienceispa.com)

Day Spa Association
The Day Spa Association serves as a business resource for day spa professionals providing educational seminars, industry research, and publications to promote increased business and consumer awareness. Membership includes listing in the Day Spa Directory, regularly updated statistical reports, In Touch quarterly newsletter, and discounts on education, front desk publications, and other business and marketing tools. (www.dayspaassociation.com)

Spa Association
The Spa Association (SPAA) strives to unite the spa community to promote higher standards and professional spa promotions. They offer day spa’s continuing education materials, industry research reports, marketing assistance, business tools, and discounts with industry vendors and conventions. (www.thespaassociation.com)

Destination Spa Group
The Destination Spa Group (DSG) is a networking and marketing association for destination spa professionals. Members must meet the ISPA and DSG criteria for destination spa designation. Membership includes marketing assistance, a 2-page spread in Destination Spa Vacations Magazine, directory listing, press releases, networking opportunities, and ongoing professional development. (www.destinationspa.com)

International Medical Spa Association
The International Medical Spa Association (IMSA) provides professional and medical assistance for medical spas, beauty and skin therapy offices, medical centers, and wellness centers. Following a medical code of ethics, the association provides members certification, directory listings, invitations to industry functions, mentoring services, continuing education, and free magazine subscriptions to multiple medical spa publications. (www.medicalspaassociation.org)

Medical Spa Society
The Medical Spa Society is a non-profit association that is dedicated to raising professional medical spa industry practices to the highest levels possible. Members enjoy 50% off Medical Spa Conference and Expo registration fees, continuing education credits, directory listings, quarterly newsletter, online seminars, workshops, 50% off classified advertising at Best Spa Jobs website, and complimentary subscription to PCI Journal. (www.medicalspasociety.com)

American Holistic Medical Association
The American Holistic Medical Association (AHMA) is devoted to educating and training physicians in the art and science of holistic medicine by focusing on the whole body, mind, and spirit. Members must have a recognized doctorate degree in medicine and be currently licensed. Membership includes discounted fees to attend annual and regional conferences and meetings, advanced medical education, listing in membership directory, and subscription to The Journal of Science and Healing. (www.holisticmedicine.org)