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.