© Freepik
May 28, 2025
Judith Cyriax
So many treatments on the spa menu, but which one is right? What actually lies behind exotic terms like Nuad Tao or Lulur? Should one perhaps learn to let go with the help of Haki Purna? Or is it better to resolve blockages with Tuina? A guide through the wellness jungle
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GAGA DANCE
One of the most well-known Hotels, that particularly cares about personal wellbeing, is Schloss Elmau in the Weatherstein Mountains. Whether Yoga, Qigong or TCM - workshops to find (again) yourself, have long been a tradition here. The latest approach: to provide a better body awareness with uncontrolled movements and to establish a connection between body and mind. This is made possible by the 'Gaga Dance' by the famous Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin. He developed Gaga as an innovative, constantly evolving movement language - accessible for dancers and non-dancers alike. Primary goal: joy in movement, enhancing physical abilities and improving overall wellbeing.
BREUSS MASSAGE
This type of massage is based on the teachings of the Austrian healer Rudolf Breuß (1899-1990). Its goal: Pain to alleviate pain in the lower back, sciatica, and all nerve pain in the lumbar region. Additionally, it helps to release muscle tension, ease pressure points, and align the spine while simultaneously promoting relaxation and better blood circulation. Breuß believed that this massage had numerous other health benefits, including more energy, better concentration, more restful sleep and less stress.
NUAD TAO
In the Thai foot reflex treatment, the therapist activates the energy lines and points of the feet. He uses thumbs, fingertips, knuckles, palms and balls of the hands, a loose fist and a special wooden stick. The feet are gently pressed, stretched, rubbed, and tapped, and the impulses resulting from this interact with the body's organs via the reflex zones of the feet. The goal is to revitalize and regenerate the body by releasing energy. In addition, tensions can be released and the lymph flow is stimulated, which leads to increased detoxification and purification.
GARSHAN
This dry massage is part ayurvedic wellness procedures and does without oil or lotions. Instead, the body is rubbed with a silk glove, quickly and intensively or slowly and gently, as desired. This not only removes the topmost skin flakes - keyword perfect Effect -, but also stimulated circulation and metabolism, improved and counteracted fatigue. Very often, the Garshan massage is followed by the Abhyanga full-body massage based on Ayurveda.
MADERO-THERAPY
Madero is especially known in the field of cellulite treatment and originates from South America. In this traditional full-body massage, a ridged wooden roller is rolled over the skin with gentle pressure, stimulating the skin and promoting circulation. The massage acts on muscles, connective tissue, and fat deposits like lymphatic drainage and helps to remove stored toxins from the body. In the past, this form of massage was a popular healing method and relaxation technique. Today, it is mainly used to strengthen connective tissue and improve the overall appearance of the skin to improve.
DEEP TISSUE
The deep tissue massage, also known as a deep muscle massage, is a technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscles and connective tissues. This treatment uses slow and deep strokes to address tension areas caused by stress, injuries, or posture issues. The deep pressure during the massage helps to release chronic tension patterns, ease joint stiffness, and reduce pain. Additionally, it improves circulation and supports tissue rehabilitation after injuries.
CRANIOSACRAL
Craniosacral massage is a gentle manual treatment method that originates from osteopathy . The therapist works with minimal pressure exclusively on the skull, neck, spine, and sacrum to detect and balance tensions there. The goal is to release blockages in the skeletal structure as well as relieve tension and blockages of the muscles and connective tissues.
TUINA
The precursor to the Shiatsu massage is the Chinese massage form Tuina. It constitutes one of the five pillars of traditional Chinese medicine. The name combines the terms for 'push' and 'pull'. The Tuina massage combines massage techniques, acupressure, and assisted stretching and aims to remove blockages in the body. Therefore, it is not viewed as a relaxation treatment, but rather as a means to alleviate muscle tension and realign the body. In plain language, it can be somewhat painful.
SHIATSU
The Shiatsu massage originates from Japan and developed from the Chinese Tuina massage. The name translates to something like "finger pressure massage." It's less of a feel-good massage and more of what is called "energetic bodywork." The therapist uses their entire body to apply pressure to establish an energetic relationship with the patient.
REIKI
In contrast to the massages mentioned above, which can sometimes be painful, Reiki massage deals with things more gently using flowing movements. Stimulating reflex zones can release blockages and stimulate the energy flow in the body. Therefore, a Reiki massage has a harmonizing effect and generally supports well-being.
CHI NEI TSANG
In the mountains of Taoist China, this massage was practiced by the monks living there to strengthen body and soul from within. Chi Nei Tsang is a light pressure massage of the abdominal area as well as the internal organs, it releases blockages, promotes free energy flow throughout the body, and supports the organism's detoxification. It is mainly performed in the navel and abdominal area, where according to Taoist teachings our second brain is located, and where stress, tensions, and unprocessed emotions can accumulate and build up. However, all of this can be resolved through this massage.
Release energy, regenerate the body, bring the soul back into balance – the range of wellness treatments for new feelings of well-being seems almost infinitely large.
SINGING BOWL
The singing bowl massage (Singing Bowl) is a massage and relaxation therapy for stress reduction and deep relaxation. Special singing bowls are struck or rubbed for this purpose and set in vibration. When these are then guided by the therapist over the body, it perceives the vibration and also the sounds and relaxes.
WAVE BALANCE
This anti-stress massage is carried out on a heated water bed - dressed or on bare skin with warmed OIL. Through the flowing movements of the therapist and the gentle swinging of the couch, joints are relieved, muscles relax and blockages dissolve. The flexible base enables the body to adapt itself multifunctionally and multidimensionally to the therapist's grips. The resulting feeling of weightlessness and of being carried brings about initial deep Relaxation - stress and tension simply flow away.
ESALEN MASSAGE
The application, also known as the "art of conscious touch", is a holistic massage technique developed in California in the 1960s to strengthen the body's self-healing powers and promote overall relaxation. Its special feature is the very gentle and slow execution of movements. The therapist uses hands, forearms, and elbows for long, flowing strokes and deep tissue stimulation.
HAKI TREATMENTS
Haki is a holistic method especially suitable for people who focus heavily on mental tasks and spend a lot of time in front of a screen. "Haki Sacral" aims to release tension in the back between the lumbar spine and buttocks. This is achieved, among other things, through gentle pressure, stretching, and vibrations that relax and harmonize the nerves in the area of the lumbar region, sacrum, and buttocks. "Haki Stretch and Relax," on the other hand, specifically focuses on the shoulder, neck, and head area. With targeted pulls, pressure, and stretches, the body is consciously brought into vibration and thus tensions are sustainably relieved. "Haki Purna" combines these methods and brings the body into balance from head to toe.
SLEEP-SOUNDLY-TREATMENT
The basis of this treatment is a body massage that combines calming essential oils with a high CBD content to help with sleep problems or restlessness. The external application of CBD in a dose of about 450 milligrams is intended to help relax muscles and reduce inflammation in the tissue. The CBD used is similar to the cannabinoids produced by the body itself and helps regulate various physiological functions such as pain, inflammation, or stress. The massage is complemented by the use of heated Himalayan salt stones that are placed on specific body parts to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for recovery and stress reduction. Additionally, a live sound (singing bowls, mantra singing, or tongue drums) acoustically supports the physical treatment.
LOMI-LOMI
The ancient Hawaiian massage style is said to provide physical, mental, and emotional relief with long, flowing strokes. This type of massage is ideal for everyone who prefers a gentle touch. During the massage, the therapist uses his body weight, pressure, rhythmic strokes, and lots of warm oil to relieve tension and promote relaxation and vitality. Lomi-Lomi massage techniques can also stimulate blood circulation, improve mobility, and enhance mood.
PANTAI LUAR
This hot herbal stamp massage has its origins in the East Asian region. First, the body is rubbed with warm aromatic oils. After a short period of absorption, a 120-degree hot herbal stamp (a cloth filled with herbs) is moved over the skin with rapid movements. The trick here: The rapid movements create only the sensation of a skin burn, which does not occur. However, the heat penetrates the skin, relaxes cramped muscles and tensions, and the spicy aroma of the herbs also positively affects mental well-being. psychological well-being After the stamp is turned and pressed on the skin with quick, flowing movements and light pressure, a deep heat treatment with more intense pressure follows.
LULUR
The Lulur treatment combines various wellness elements and takes place in five consecutive steps. It begins with a full-body massage with warm aromatic oils such as sandalwood, lemongrass, or ginger. This is followed by a scrub where the body is rubbed with a paste made from rice flour, jasmine, and sandalwood. The third step is a body mask made of natural yogurt, which balances and refreshes the skin's pH value. After the mask is rinsed off, a bath with real blossoms provides peace and relaxation, and a nourishing body balm ensures silky soft skin at the end.
ABHYANGA
Abhyanga is an Ayurvedic full body massage with various individually tailored oils. Warming oils (e.g. rosemary or cinnamon) are used for the body, and cooling oils (e.g. sage or mint) are used for the head. In the massage, there are two stroke directions - against and with the direction of the hair - which produce different effects. The massage with the direction of the hair ‘Anuloma’ has a calming and balancing effect, while against the direction of the hair, the so-called ‘Pratiloma’ has a stimulating and invigorating effect.
