An educational journey in a faraway land
by Linda Beach
Experiencing a treatment half a world away in Bali, the “land of a thousand temples,” provides invaluable insight into the source of Balinese holistic culture and its ancient healing practices. On a recent trip to Spa Village-Tembok, the Balinese five-star resort, I took the opportunity to attend its Spa Village Academy, a 20-hour program for guests that centers on Balinese massage techniques. The first thing noticeably different is that in Bali spas, each treatment is preceded by a foot-cleansing ritual. The Balinese are very spiritual and believe that washing the feet is necessary in order to rid oneself of the negative energy absorbed from the earth.
At Spa Village-Tembok, the exotic scent of frangipani petals crowd the verdant canopy overhead. The spa’s attention to detail is remarkable, from a small bowl overflowing with fragrant flowers placed under the face cradle to tiny candles lining mirror-backed shelves that shoot rays of flickering light in every direction. Music was irrelevant, as nature provided the sound of crashing waves on the pebbled shore just steps away.
After the client is immersed in the sights and sounds, fragrant oil is applied to the body as a therapist and instructor, Muliartini, deftly coaxes any remaining jet lag from obliging muscles, sending the client into an unrepentant state of Balinese bliss.
Healing drink
The treatment is concluded when Muliartini guides the client into a cushioned lounge. A small table holds a tall glass container filled with a cloudy concoction and topped with a little banana leaf cork. “Jamu,” she says, motioning to the drink. “Very good for the body and the soul.”
A healing drink made from a blend of plants, spices, fruit and other natural ingredients, jamu is used to treat many common ailments and boost the immune system. There are more than 300 blends of jamu, some bitter, some sweet, but all recipes are said to enhance the body-mind connection and balance inner and outer beauty.
According to Muliartini, this particular blend is made from tamarind, turmeric, palm sugar, cinnamon, cloves, salt and water. Tamarind, a tart fruit, aids in digestion and contains cancer fighting antioxidants and a wealth of vitamins. Turmeric has been shown to prevent the spread of cancer, slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and detoxify the liver.
Traditional massage
The Balinese are not just known for their therapeutic concoctions and sweet smelling flowers. Bali is regarded as a place of hedonistic indulgence and unparalleled spa treatments.
The penganten melukat is an elaborate 100-minute signature treatment that is centuries old. It is actually a prenuptial tradition that was lavished on the bride and groom for three days prior to their wedding, and was typically performed by the mother or grandmother.
The penganten melukat body treatment is divine and exotic. Following a traditional Balinese massage, handful after handful of a boreh scrub is rubbed over the body before it is gently wrapped in layers of soft towels. Warming herbs detoxify as a gentle scalp massage relaxes clients. Once unwrapped the herbs are dusted from the client’s body and hot, thick milk is ladled by hand over the back, arms, stomach and legs. The client is then guided on a short walk to a soak in a flower-filled tub.
Dedication to details
The boreh scrub is another example of meticulous Balinese tradition. Balinese therapists usually make this scrub by hand with only five ingredients: ginger, clove, galangal (a root commonly used in Balinese cooking), rice and water. Fifteen minutes of slicing, pounding, blending and grinding by a mortar and pestle yield a small bowl of t he soupy blend – not even close to the amount used for one treatment, instructs Muliartini. Much more is needed and the painstaking process is repeated.
The Balinese embrace a slower pace of life compared to the Westerners, and this allows for reflection and the reparation of frazzled nerves. Impart that Balinese essence to your clients and tae them across the globe to experience Balinese bliss with the penganten melukat.
by Linda Beach
Experiencing a treatment half a world away in Bali, the “land of a thousand temples,” provides invaluable insight into the source of Balinese holistic culture and its ancient healing practices. On a recent trip to Spa Village-Tembok, the Balinese five-star resort, I took the opportunity to attend its Spa Village Academy, a 20-hour program for guests that centers on Balinese massage techniques. The first thing noticeably different is that in Bali spas, each treatment is preceded by a foot-cleansing ritual. The Balinese are very spiritual and believe that washing the feet is necessary in order to rid oneself of the negative energy absorbed from the earth.
At Spa Village-Tembok, the exotic scent of frangipani petals crowd the verdant canopy overhead. The spa’s attention to detail is remarkable, from a small bowl overflowing with fragrant flowers placed under the face cradle to tiny candles lining mirror-backed shelves that shoot rays of flickering light in every direction. Music was irrelevant, as nature provided the sound of crashing waves on the pebbled shore just steps away.
After the client is immersed in the sights and sounds, fragrant oil is applied to the body as a therapist and instructor, Muliartini, deftly coaxes any remaining jet lag from obliging muscles, sending the client into an unrepentant state of Balinese bliss.
Healing drink
The treatment is concluded when Muliartini guides the client into a cushioned lounge. A small table holds a tall glass container filled with a cloudy concoction and topped with a little banana leaf cork. “Jamu,” she says, motioning to the drink. “Very good for the body and the soul.”
A healing drink made from a blend of plants, spices, fruit and other natural ingredients, jamu is used to treat many common ailments and boost the immune system. There are more than 300 blends of jamu, some bitter, some sweet, but all recipes are said to enhance the body-mind connection and balance inner and outer beauty.
According to Muliartini, this particular blend is made from tamarind, turmeric, palm sugar, cinnamon, cloves, salt and water. Tamarind, a tart fruit, aids in digestion and contains cancer fighting antioxidants and a wealth of vitamins. Turmeric has been shown to prevent the spread of cancer, slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and detoxify the liver.
Traditional massage
The Balinese are not just known for their therapeutic concoctions and sweet smelling flowers. Bali is regarded as a place of hedonistic indulgence and unparalleled spa treatments.
The penganten melukat is an elaborate 100-minute signature treatment that is centuries old. It is actually a prenuptial tradition that was lavished on the bride and groom for three days prior to their wedding, and was typically performed by the mother or grandmother.
The penganten melukat body treatment is divine and exotic. Following a traditional Balinese massage, handful after handful of a boreh scrub is rubbed over the body before it is gently wrapped in layers of soft towels. Warming herbs detoxify as a gentle scalp massage relaxes clients. Once unwrapped the herbs are dusted from the client’s body and hot, thick milk is ladled by hand over the back, arms, stomach and legs. The client is then guided on a short walk to a soak in a flower-filled tub.
Dedication to details
The boreh scrub is another example of meticulous Balinese tradition. Balinese therapists usually make this scrub by hand with only five ingredients: ginger, clove, galangal (a root commonly used in Balinese cooking), rice and water. Fifteen minutes of slicing, pounding, blending and grinding by a mortar and pestle yield a small bowl of t he soupy blend – not even close to the amount used for one treatment, instructs Muliartini. Much more is needed and the painstaking process is repeated.
The Balinese embrace a slower pace of life compared to the Westerners, and this allows for reflection and the reparation of frazzled nerves. Impart that Balinese essence to your clients and tae them across the globe to experience Balinese bliss with the penganten melukat.
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