Premier Spa Treatment: Bali

Imagine being surrounded by an abundance of tropical flora and fauna as you treat yourself to a day of total pampering. While that day may seem perfect, it is soon forgotten as tomorrow arrives and you feel your former stress creep back into your muscles and mind.

Nowadays, spas are realizing that it is not enough to just offer massages and facials to people seeking deep relaxation, so they are creating innovative spa treatments that embrace the idea of health and wellbeing.

People want to feel that their experience has affected them at a deeper level that is lasting.

Two premier spas in Bali offer treatments that are truly special: Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran Bay and the Spa at Bali Hyatt.

Both of these spas are set in spectacular natural environments that provide guests with peace and an opportunity to take part in a holistic spa experience.

The Spa at the Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran Bay is currently offering two unique treatments that I had the pleasure of indulging in: Water Massage and CranioSacral therapy.

Water Massage is a gentle, nurturing therapy carried out in warm water, combining movement, stretches and cradling.

“Your body is gently massaged and moved, like a dance in the water”, said Elisa, the spa therapist who facilitates this wonderful treatment.

You are held in the arms of the therapist who gently moves your body to assist the expansion and range of motion in your spine.
During this blissful therapy it is almost like experiencing an embryonic state, as the therapist skillfully guides you in stretches and movements both on and under the water’s surface.

Water massage is excellent for clearing the mind and it enables you to experience a state of weightless meditation through floating. It also assists in facilitating natural healing in one’s body.

After this sublime treatment I was led into their indoor spa where I was asked to lay down on the massage table in readiness for CranioSacral therapy.

I was unsure about what to expect, but as Elisa, my spa therapist, began to do her magic, I felt an even deeper calm come over me.

CranioSacral therapy is a gentle method of detection and correction of energy blocks that can occur in one’s body, due to every day stress and exposure to environmental pollution.

“This powerful yet subtle therapy encourages your own natural healing mechanisms to dissipate negative effects of stress on your central nervous system”, said Elisa.

Many people have greatly benefited from this type of therapy by experiencing improved health and greater resistance to disease.
It has been known to be effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction, including arthritis, asthma, chronic fatigue, depression, digestive problems, dizziness, emotional difficulties. to name a few.

The effects of CranioSacral therapy are lasting and profound on one’s body and mind.

Heavenly Spa

The Spa at Bali Hyatt offers a beautiful spa room set in natural surroundings. They have created a space in which guests can experience an authentic Balinese environment while receiving a wide variety of spa treatments.

The two treatments I experienced were Path to Swarga Loka and their newest treatment, The Path to Ethnic Wellness. Every treatment utilizes aroma therapy which influences one’s mind, body and hormonal balance.

Swarga Loka means “the heaven” — aptly named as one experiences a heavenly 130-minute treatment that focuses on rejuvenation, relaxation and elimination of toxins from one’s body.

The treatment begins with a gentle foot massage, followed by your choice of body scrub that exfoliates your dead skin and leaves you feeling smooth and clean.

Afterwards, you shower and immerse yourself in a wonderful aromatic mineral bath, which aids in the elimination of your toxins and re-mineralizes your body.

While taking your bath you are served a delicious healthy jamu drink. Jamu are traditional drinks originating from Java and are known for their healing effects on the body.

The aromatic massage came next, which was a deeply relaxing experience as the highly experienced massage therapist used traditional Balinese herbs and massage techniques to ease away any remaining tension from my entire body.

The treatment concluded with a soothing face massage.

The Path to Ethnic Wellness is a 90-minute treatment that totally utilizes natural ingredients from the herbs and essential oils to the banana leaves that are wrapped around your body.

There are two varieties of this treatment: the slimming and the relaxing treatments. I chose the slimming treatment, which focuses on detoxifying your body.

Juniper oil is used for detoxifying and fennel oil is also used for slimming. The treatment begins with an amazing body scrub which is a blend of traditional candlenut and fennel essential oils.

The candlenut is a mild abrasive which leaves your skin feeling silky smooth. This was followed by an avocado and juniper oil body mask, which is cool and rejuvenating for your body.

Then your body is wrapped with banana leaves and tied with coconut leaves, which accentuate the ethnic feeling of this special treatment.

Guests are also treated to a soothing fruit facial massage, followed by a gentle face massage with candlenut oil and dried flowers.

The treatment concludes with an avocado and honey blend facial mask and frangipani moisturizing lotion, which is soothingly applied all over your body.

This is truly an olfactory experience!

While there are literally hundreds of spas in Bali to choose from, these two stand out because of their holistic approaches to health and well-being.

The spa at Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran Bay offers some unique alternative therapies, and the spa at the Hyatt provides guests with a variety of treatments that utilize natural ingredients for cleansing, relaxation and rejuvenation.

The two are both well worth a visit.

Michele Cempaka