If you don't know your Reiki from your Thai, or your Shiatsu from a Hot Stone, follow Orient-Express Magazine's quick guide to the international language of spas. 

Reiki  

A gentle and restorative healing therapy which hails from Japan and uses a laying-on-of-hands technique to achieve a sense of well-being. Sometimes the temperature of the practitioner’s hands change from hot to cool.

Thai massage

First practised within the confines of temples in Thailand, Thai massage is one of the most ancient massage techniques in the world and one of the few where oil is not used. Often called the yoga massage, it is based on the application of pressure along the energy lines of the body, together with a stretching of muscles—this combination stimulates energy flow and eases tension.

Javanese lulur 

This treatment was originally devised for brides of the Javanese royal houses. It begins with a massage of the Indonesian variety—strong and penetrating deep into the muscles and vertebrae—which is followed with a herbal exfoliation, followed by a yoghurt splash. It finishes with a floral-scented bath. Often the bath is accompanied by a Jamu, a special herbal drink of particular intensity.

Shiatsu

In Japanese, “Atsu” means pressure and “shi” means “with fingers”. Shiatsu is a massage technique to unblock and stimulate the body energy channels. The massage does not use oil, but is performed over light clothing, through which the therapist applies pressure to specific points of the body to rebalance energy. "Watsu" massage is Shiatsu underwater, and stronger as the water absorbs pressure from the body. 

Tibetan bell therapy

Temple bells—originally used in prayer and meditation—are struck to create sounds that calm the mind and induce relaxation. Sometimes the bells are placed on the seven chakras or energy centres of the body to help unblock trapped energies. In many spas, the ringing of the bells announces both the beginning and end of a therapy. 

LaStone or hot stone therapy 

Its origins go back in the mists of time to Native American traditions. In this treatment smooth, flat, volcanic or basalt stones are heated and placed on specific areas of the body as well as between the toes and in the palm of the hand. 

Hydrotherapy 

This therapy is in the great European spa tradition of bathing and taking the waters for healing and well-being. Treatments include special mineral baths or showers, underwater massage in baths with jets, or with a masseur using a stronger jet beneath the water, or Vichy showers where a manual massage is accompanied by multi-jets focused along the body.  

Reflexology 

An ancient Chinese technique that uses pressure-point massage (on feet, hands and ears) to help circulation and restore the flow of energy throughout the body. 

Ayurveda 

Coming from India, Ayurvedic medicine is one of the oldest disciplines in the world. It incorporates a variety of techniques from meditation to massage and from diet to herbal medicines. Its main massage is known as abyhanga, while an Indian head massage is regarded throughout the world as one of the best treatments for instant relaxation. A deeper sense of relaxation comes from the shirodhara therapy, during which a thin and constant stream of oil is poured on to the centre of the forehead—the third eye in ayurvedic medicine.