Top Balinese Massages

Starting with a soothing kneading that warms up the fingers, palms, hands, arms to shoulder – then spreading to neck and back areas, Bali's spas' back massages are a tried and tested way to relieve muscle pain and tension in the upper body. Once the areas to be massaged are warmed up with the kneading, massage oil is applied, and the full routine commences. While the back massage focuses on the whole of the upper body as a whole, you are always welcome to instruct your masseur on the areas that you feel should be focused, and customize your massage.

If you are looking to make your skin as smooth as butter, a body scrub is a way to go. Natural extracts are used to exfoliate the skin and get rid of rough patches where dead skin has accumulated. A scrub usually focuses on dry patches of the elbows, knees, and front of shins. After a good thorough Balinese body scrub, not only will your skin feel smoother, but it will also be cleaner and radiant.

In addition to the average body scrub, Bali's spas also offer a range of facial and body treatments, sauna foot massages, manicures, pedicures, pure volcanic mud baths, traditional Indonesian floral baths, steam baths and other such treatments, all aiming towards your skin care.

You might be surprised how your entire body relaxes with a good foot massage. A foot massage releases the tension accumulated in the feet, which helps relax the entire body through various pressure points located on the feet.
Beginning with a relaxing soaking of feet in the flower-scented water, Balinese foot massages then proceed to gently clean the feet and scrub away rough areas and calluses on the feet. Natural volcanic pumice stone is usually used for this, which helps restore a smoother touch and rejuvenate skin growth. It is only after this scrubbing down that the massage commences. The masseur applies pressure to specific areas of the feet to achieve total relaxation. As each pressure point in the feet corresponds to a particular muscle in the body, a good foot massage relaxes muscles, improves blood circulation and restores energy to the entire body.

Mandu Lulur, meaning "lulur bath", is a massage technique originated in Java and is a traditional component of the Javanese prenuptial ceremony. It is a combination of exfoliation and body polishing, a famous treatment among the Thalasso treatments of sea minerals and Indian Ayurvedic rituals.

The client is laid on their back and is covered with a paste of sandalwood, turmeric, ground nuts, rice and other scented wood. This paste is to exfoliate the skin. After applying the paste, it is left to dry. Once the paste is dried and makes a hard coat around the skin, it is gently rubbed off, exfoliating and polishing the skin. Then a hot shower removes any stray bits of dried up paste, and a yoghurt mix is applied all over the body to restore balance to the skin. The Mandi Lulur ends with a warm, relaxing flower-scented bath.

here are four types of Balinese traditional body massaging: sensual, relaxing, body contour and reviving.

Sensual massage: Perfect after a stressful and tiring day, the sensual massage relieves nervous tension. It uses essential oils such as jasmine to enhance the mood; sandalwood to do away with anxiety and depression, and rose and ylang-ylang to create a balance between mind and body.

Relaxing massage: With the focus on creating balance and harmony through cleansing, this massage is suitable for everyone. Some of the essential oils used for this are geranium as a natural anti-depressant; nutmeg as a reliever of muscular pains and aches; and rose for a feeling of wellbeing. The relaxing massage uplifts the mood and emotionally heals and cleanses clients of all ages.

Body contour: A natural detoxifying process with amazing therapeutic effects, this massage uses lemon, patchouli, and astringents, which when blended together creates and effect of harmony that counters depression and anxiety. The body contour helps the skin look and feel younger, with its ability to reduce cellulite, tighten skin and rejuvenate it.

Reviving massage: Essential oils of ginger for comforting senses; nutmeg for a warm stimulating effect on the immune system; and Eucalyptus for cleansing and harmonious properties are used in the massage which enables relaxation and general well-being – ideal for soothing nervous tension.

In addition to these, Balinese spas have special massages that cater to different audiences. For instance COMO Shambhala, a luxury spa that focuses on hands-on healing have special massages for pregnant women that cater specifically to their needs. As such, the variety of treatments available in Balinese spas is wide and varied – a thorough research before making a booking will ensure a unique experience of relaxation that you are unlike to forget.