Bali Spa Treatment Guide
Body Massage, Mandi Lulur, Foot Massage, Body Scrubs...
The Balinese believe that the body is a sacred temple for the soul.
Visit any Bali Spa for an experience that brings peace to the spirit,
calm to the mind and vitality to the body.
Bali Spas offer many traditional treatments which use local herbs
and healing oils. Balinese massage oil is usually made from extracts
of ginger (jahe), frangipani (jepun), sandalwood (cendana) and coconut
(kelapa).
Mandi Lulur
Among the traditional beauty remedies, Thalasso treatments with
sea minerals and Indian Ayurvedic rituals is the famed Mandi Lulur
massage. Meaning "lulur bath", the Mandi Lulur massage
originated from Java, and was traditionally part of the Javanese
prenuptial ceremony. This famous treatment is actually an exfoliating
and body polishing exercise.
A paste of sandalwood, turmeric, ground nuts, rice and other scented
woods is prepared, painted on to the body for exfoliating purposes
and left to dry. The dried paste is then gently rubbed off. This
process polishes and exfoliates the skin. After a hot shower, a
yoghurt mix is spread over the body to restore balance to the skin.
The Mandi Lulur ends with a warm flower-scented bath.
Foot Massage
Foot massages can be surprisingly relaxing. Releasing accumulated
tension in the feet helps the entire body to release stress via
the various pressure points located at a person's feet.
A foot massage begins with relaxing the feet in flower-scented
water. Feet are then gently cleaned and rough and callous areas
carefully scrubbed away with a natural volcanic pumice stone. This
helps restore smoother touch and also rejuvenates skin growth.
The massage proper then begins by pressure being applied to specific
areas of the feet to achieve total relaxation. The application of
pressure to the feet's sensitive points relaxes muscles and improves
blood circulation, apart from restoring energy to the entire body.
Traditional Body Massage
Bali's traditional body massage encompasses four types of massage,
sensual, relaxing, body contour and the reviving massage.
The sensual massage uses carefully chosen oils
essential to the massage - jasmine as mood enhancer, sandalwood
to lift anxiety and depression, rose and ylang-ylang to balance
mind and body creating a feeling of peace. The sensual massage makes
the body feel warm and soothed and is extremely comforting after
a stressful and tiring day. It also relieves nervous tension.
The relaxing massage is suitable for anyone, as
its main focus is to create balance and harmony through cleansing.
Among the essential oils are geranium, used for its uplifting effect
as a natural anti-depressant; nutmeg, to relief muscular aches and
pains, which aids blood circulation and digestion; and rose, to
give a feeling of fulfillment and well being. This soothing massage
emotionally heals and cleanses all ages.
The body contour uses lemon and patchouli, astringents,
which when blended together, create an effect of well-being, and
counter depression and anxiety. It's also useful for disappearing
fluid retention. The massage is a natural detoxifying process with
tremendous therapeutic effect. It is perfect for reducing cellulite,
tightening skin and rejuvenating skin growth for a younger looking
skin.
The reviving massage enables relaxation and general
well being. The essential oils are ginger, which comforts the senses
and aids memory; nutmeg, for a warm, stimulating, effect which also
strengthens the immune system; and Eucalyptus for its cleansing
and harmonising properties, capable of soothing nervous tension.
Back Massage
Bali's spas' back massages are a wonderful way to relieve muscle
tension on the upper part of the body. A back massage starts with
a soothing massage to warm up fingers, palm, hands to shoulder,
neck and back areas. When the massage areas are warmed, massage
oil is applied before proceeding with the full routine. This can
be adapted to focus on areas according to individual needs.
Body Scrubs
Body scrubs, are great way to make smoother, cleaner and glowing
skin. Natural extracts are used to help rid the body of rough patches
by exfoliating. The massage focuses on dry patches of the elbows,
knees, front of shins and elbows. For an optimum effect, this enjoyable
scrub is best followed by a traditional massage.
Bali's spas also offer revitalising full body and facial treatments,
sauna foot massage and manicure, pure volcanic mud baths, traditional
Indonesian floral baths perfumed with essential oils, steam baths
in exotic whirlpools and also swims in fresh water pools.
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