Wellness in 2009

..........I am back in India .........and its time for Spiritual Wellness .........and what a beginning !!!!! ....Diwali....wedding......Benaras, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Agra, Vaishno Devi and Jammu........and yet to come Chardham yatra, Amarnath, kailash Mansarovar and ................

U me and Taj - Emotional Well being

.......Well the picture says it all...... i saw Taj Mahal again after so many years .......it is more beautiful or do i see a reflection :)

Wellbeing for the Soul- Rishikesh, Haridwar, Varanasi

.................Rishikesh....the place that has given me one of the most life defining moments when i did white water rafting in Ganga...it was an out of this world experience...and after crossing all the rapids, i jumped into the river and surrendered to the fast flowing river , it was as if eternity stopped in that moment. In the December cold, after the first numb shock, my body melted with the water around me and i could feel the divinity, energy and purity seeping in....i was in the lap of mother ganges....the most sacred river in the whole world.....

Actually this was the third stop for me because before this i had taken an early morning dip in ganges at Har ki pauri in Haridwar.....

Before that witnessing Ganga Aarti in Kashi and boating in seeing kashi from a boat in Ganga made the oldest city in the world was a very ethereal and sublime experience.....

My Favourate Treatments

There are two experiences that have stayed with me :

The best Hot Sand Massage at J W Marriot

Alameda Spa and Health Club a must try treatment is – the Hot Sand Therapy. The treatment begins with the massage on certain points of the body using a heated velvet pouch consisting of sea sand, various beans and traditional herbs. It continues with a warm spicy body exfoliation using ginger scrub to restore skin vitality and radiance. A warm oil body massage will end this treatment for total relaxation which can culminate with a quick shower or a floral or spice bath soak.

The special touch that I really liked was when one lies on the stomach facedown, what lies beneath is a big aromatherapy bowl with crushed ginger, lemongrass and pandan leaves releasing aromatic steam for inhalation, to me it is a very very special touch which enhances the overall effect of the treatment.

The hot water used for wiping has crushed ginger and it smells of ginger, and is very warming and soothing. After the treatment one feels very much rejuvenated and at peace with oneself.

The Best Balinese Boreh at TSRH

Another personal favorite is Balinese Boreh, a traditional village remedy used by rice farmers in Bali. It is believed that the Boreh can warm the body and relieve aching muscles and joints especially during rainy season. A complete treatment that begins with massage followed by scrub and body mask. What is most surprising is, after the mask, you can feel a surge of heat in your body and this is an excellent treatment for cold weather or if one is suffering from cold and congestion. It last for 2 hrs and costs Rp 400,000.

My Wellness Reading

.......... well its been sometime since i wrote that because i am very busy doing the following things :

1. Spa Hopping & Spa viewing for my assignment

2. I have been catching up on my reading. Two good books on Wellness that i am reading now are :

The Tao of Detox by Daniel Reid a very simple and lucidly written book which simplifies the detox for the common person. If i had to write a synopsis of the book in 5 lines - i would sum up like this " All health problems arise due to two basic problems - Acidosis(excess acid and hypoxia( insufficient oxygen). When internal toxicity exceeds the body's capacity to cleanse itself, alkaline and oxygen levels plummet and a state of toxemia develops. How to counter it ?Alkaline and oxygen are the twin pillars of good health and strong immune response which is what any good detox programme / detox diet and detox lifestyle does - Flushing out acids and restoring proper PH balance ( our blood has a pH value of 7.3-7.4, exactly the same as sea water - No wonder Thalassotherapy is a wonder therapy and works miracles) through breathing properly or oxygenationSecond important point one of the chronic reasons of acidosis is deficiency of essential alkaline minerals and elements - especially calcium and Magnesium.

The second book that i am reading is " Eat right for your blood type" - Dr Peter J D'Adamo complete encyclopedia. Phewwww and after that i have started to like my brocolli and spinach . It is intensive but i am taking it easy.

The third book is ESQ - Emotional Spiritual Quotient by Ary Ginanjar Agustian - an inspiring and new perspective to Islam and ESQ.

Rejuvenating Pricks

………..today I did acupunture for the first time……….. at Rumah Shakti Bhakti Mulia, I did not know that acupuncture in Indonesia is treated so seriously that it is a part of the main hospital treatments. When I spoke to the doctor on the phone I thought I was going to her office/clinic till I reached this hospital !!! The doctor, a very pleasant lady in her mid or late forties, asked me if i had any health problems, i asked her to check my pulse and she said None. I told her I just wanted to try acupuncture from an academic point of view and see how it works and what it does ?

She told me a lot of a lot of people also come for loosing weight and for maintaining youthfulness and freshness in the face....wheras people also come for medical treatments after stroke and paralysis .

So to start with she recommended me to do it on the face, I said ok ……she put two needle on the point between my thumb and index finger and then two on the sides of my knee and some needles on my face….i think 7-8 and then she connected the ones on the hand and leg to some machine where a very minor electrical charge passed through it….i just felt very minor tingling…and then nothing…the whole process lasted for some 20 minute and she said I must complete a course of 10 for best results……..

While I was lying down with needles pinched into me …the doctor very patiently and pleasantly answered all my questions …she said acupuncture is very effective, especially when it comes to health maintenance….in loosing weight also it helps in increasing inches more than weight……she said it is done for medical purposes also for stroke, heart problem, facial paralysis and so on…

I asked her if Totok is more effective or Acupuncture, she said the principal used in both which is the points are the same, in totok its pressure and in acupuncture its needles………..

I guess – I will complete the 10 sessions !!!

My New I POT

...…yes you read it right, its I Pot and not I Pod and I bought it this weekend. It makes anti oxidant water for me and it is portable!!! I guess I got lulled into buying it as – I was fresh from reading The Tao of Detox – an eye opening book and very simple book on detox but it definitely made me wiser. My I POT cost 700,000 rupiah ( 70 USD) , well lets see what it does for me. Sometimes I think I go overboard, but anyways its an experiment.. ...and yesterday itself i had 2 litres of anti-oxidant water !!!

What is anti –oxidant water? It is water enriched with active hydrogen and minerals.

iPot, the brochure says is capable of transforming ordinary water into Anti Oxidant water, known for its many health benefits namely neutralizing free radicals, preventing increase in body acidity (acidosis), increasing body immunity and lowering ORP.
One of the most widespread causes of illness is acidosis or toxemia - an accumulation of more acid in the body than it can effectively process and this results in all kinds of diseases and health problems.

Human blood stays in a very narrow pH range around 7.35 - 7.45. Below or above this range means symptoms and disease. If blood pH moves too much below 6.8 or above 7.8, cells stop functioning and the patient dies. The ideal pH balance for blood is 7.4A healthy blood pH without cancer has acid / alkaline balance almost equal. Actually a healthy body is slightly alkaline measuring approximately 7.4. This ideal blood 7.4 pH measurement means it is just slightly more alkaline than acid. Research shows that unless the body's pH level is slightly alkaline, the body cannot heal itself. If your body's pH is not balanced, you cannot effectively assimilate vitamins, minerals and food supplements.

Loosing weight - Clinique Suisse way

………..today I went to the Clinique Suisse, the second time after I did my Colon cleansing and spoke to this Doctor Catherine about Weight Management and diet…..i really need to loose weight and everyone knows its not easy to do it only by diet and exercise. I also asked her a lot of questions about slimming pills as so many of my friends eat those pills and loose weight so fast…but everytime I want to take a pill something stops me…..and I feel what if it damages some system in my body or harms me in any way.. so I stay away from it ...I also asked her if taking pills affects the body or any other organs adversely or not ….i asked her about the diet plan and schedule that they have……

Clinique Suisse has an Anti aging programme that uses monitor diet, exercise, pills, massage and then maybe liposuction or injections that draw out fat( this is optional and costs 1000 sing dollars) ….. all very expensive ..not for me….However she gave me a diet schedule and exercise schedule...i checked with her about pills - because they also give pills ....

With some pills people get palpitations why does that happen and she explained to me why ….its because the pills increase the energy in the body……but I am not using that energy…so the heart starts working faster….sometimes the pills also affect the thyroid as the metabolic rate of the body increases thereby affecting the thyroid functioning…secondly I am an O type so more prone to thyroid problem than anyone else.

……I also asked her about the chinese pills that help you loose weight magically and she told me that in some pills – the slimming component( a chemical that harms the thyroid in high dosage) maybe in the higher dosage than recommended and it depends on the permissible amount of this chemical. She said its very important to check the ingredients in any medicine before taking it.

Secondly, when you are taking external aids, its always good to drink lots of water and take laxatives so that the chemicals are flushed out of the body and do not make a toxic residue there.

Thirdly, its good to exercise to use that excess energy and do massage, totok or body wrapping for toning the loose skin after loosing weight.

So ....now i have a plan .... my tailormade personal plan that starts from today................Target is 5 kgs per Month at least in July....

Amethyst Saturday

................I bought Amethysts this saturday.... for the very first time i found such rich and beautiful Amethysts in all forms- pendants, braclets and crystal ....there was this particular piece which really spoke to me .......a beautiful pendant.....i do not know why but the rich purple colour seemed to be satisfying some deep colour hunger in me...about Amethysts they say .... it is one of the best to use for meditation as it is also the stone of crown chakra. It is at the crown chakra that the forces of mind and body are merged with divine energy. Maybe i have reached that level, maybe i need some extra push and attunement........

The colour of meditation and enlightenment violet is the predominant colour of the crown chakra along with white. This chakra goversn the cerebral cortex, skin and the pineal gland. Violet opens up a new world of mysticism and spirituality and brings psychic manifestations for those who dwell into the depth of this colour. It enables one to become emotionally stronger and denotes spiritual opening and boundless cosmic energy. It is recommended for attunement to healing forces and you can recharge your own energy holding an amethyst over the crown chakra. It is supposed to be the stone for the crown chakra nadha s powerful vibrations of love, balance, healing and harmony.

After cleansing with salt water overnight and charging with prayers i put it a bowl and put it on my stone gallery, it looks beautiful and i am wearing my Amethyst bracelet.......

Totok Aura at Dean Kenanga

.......My expereince with TotokWajah and Totok Tubuh at Dean Kenanga which is the signature treatment and is labelled Totok Aura was the first of its kind. .....what fasciniated me was the aura part and since i have always been so interested invarious kinds of healing and treatment therapies....i was facinated that someone understood and practiced it here....

Actually what happens is ....everytime we do some therapeutic treatment as our physical body gets cleansed so does our spiritual body....and like i have said in " Why Wellness "................these treatments affect us at the subtle level by increasing and balancing the chi, removing energy blockages and are like regular maintenance jobs.......

......Abiasa, dian's husband told me that a lot of people have been cured of a lot of chronic problems....women who did not have children, people have lost about 11 kgs in 3 months time and lots of lumps in the breasts have disappeared....and with toxins removed from the body, balance restored, hormonal balance and alignment of the meridians.....

Totok is Acupressure and Totok wajah is facial acupressure - it improves blood circulation, balances hormonal metabolism, eases tension and stress and reduced wrinkles and firms the facial skin......it also reduces oil on the facial skin, minimises myopia ( near sighted eye problem) and sinusitis. helps in easing sleep problems, relieves headaches, migraine and vertigo......and makes the facial skin brighter and helps one look younger......

Totok Tubuh is the Body acupressure and it improves blood circulation, improves body metabolism, provides relaxation to body muscles due to tension, stress and fatigue, reduces stress, relieves pain due to rheumatism, back pain and bone sore, reduces excess body fat, minimises insomnia and improves the quality of sleep.........

..........i am surely going to try the body totok for loosing weight for which one needs to do at least 12 sesssions ( spread over a frequency of 2 to 7 days) and one also needs to monitor diet for this......

Jakarta Spa list

......i have visited the ones i have written about. This does not include some very popular places, so i guess, this is more a premium and 5 start list. Out of this list i have visited Tama Sari.

Source : http://www.jakartajavakini.com/pages/listing/spa/jakarta.php

Emara SpaOktroi Plaza Lantai 8, Jl. Kemang Raya No. 1, Jakarta Selatan, Telp.719 7618

Clark HatchWisma Metropolitan II, 17th floor, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 29-31, Jakarta, Telp.251 0650

CleopatraGrand Wijaya Center Blok F 37,38,39, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan, Telp.722 9032 - 33

Daoen SpaPlaza 3 Blok E No 6 Jl. Maria Walanda Maramis, Pondok Indah, Jakarta 12310, Telp.7591 7806-7

Fushion SpaJl. Lamando Raya Blok C No 23, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan, Telp.727 92720

Gaya SPA the wellness centreJl Wolter Monginsidi No.25, Jakarta 12180, Telp.723 6626 / 725 6080

Golden Crown SpaGlodok Plaza Lt 3-5, Jl. Pinangsia Raya No. 1, Jakarta 11180, Telp.6230 2777

Jamu SPAJl. Cipete VIII No. 82-A, Cipete, Cilandak, Jakarta 12410, Telp.765 9691 / 765 9693

Javana SPAPlaza Bisnis Kemang, Building II, Jl. Kemang Raya No. 2, Jakarta 12730, Telp.719 8327-28

Kemang Day SpaJl Bangka VIII-A No.2, Jakarta 12720, Telp.719 8002

Laluna SpaJl. Batu Ceper No 20A, Hayam Wuruk, Jakarta Barat, Telp.351 9448

LifeDarmawangsa Square, 2nd Floor, Jl. Dharmawangsa VI, Jakarta Selatan, Telp.727 87 080

Life Spa and Sport ClubJakarta Hilton Int'l Hotel Jl. Jend Gatot Subroto Jkt Garden Tower, Jakarta, Jakarta 12520, Telp.570 3600 #9018

My Body GymAlila hotel 6th floor, Jl. Pecenongan Kav 7-17, Jakarta , Telp.231 6008

Pondok DaunJl. Raya Cibodas 60, Cimacan, Cianjur, Bogor, Telp.0263-512 200

Q-SpaMenara Imperium Lt 7, Jl. HR. Rasuna Said, Kuningan, Jakarta, Telp.835 3977

Rempah Traditional Body TreatmentJl. Terogong Raya No 38, Pondok Indah, Jakarta Selatan, Telp.750 1296

Talents SpaJl. Kemang Raya 18A, Jakarta Selatan, Telp.719 8673

Taman Sari Royal HeritageJl KH Wahid Hasyim No.133, Jakarta 10350, Telp.314 3585

Umah SingarajaJl. Ciasem II No 7 Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta 12180, Telp.722 2290

Yoga StudioJl. Tubagus Angke, Taman Dutamas Blok E4 No. 6, Jakarta 14460, Telp.567 6638

Spiritual Interiors

......the space and the energy that surrounds us determines the influences that shapes us.........here is my space....the space also results in the spiritual evolution because this is what the eyes see, the mind thinks of it and the ethers resonate with it ......

Diet for O + - Thats Meeeeeeeeeee

....Well i am not much of a diet person, but my freind Ann and the famous foodie of Indonesia William Wongso ......both of whom also happen to be O+ like me put me on the blood group based diet track....i looked up the internet and found the following information very useful.....so i am putting it here for all those O + - the oldest blood group in this world and the blood group of hunters, and active people who need a high protein diet......


O type Diet
Type Os thrive on intense physical exercise and animal protein. Unlike the other blood types, Type Os muscle tissue should be slightly on the acid side. Type Os can efficiently digest and metabolize meat because they tend to have high stomach-acid content. The success of the Type O Diet depends on the use of lean, chemical-free meats, poultry, and fish. Type Os don't find dairy products and grains quite as user friendly as do most of the other blood types.
The initial weight loss on the Type O Diet is by restricting consumption of grains, breads, legumes, and beans. The leading factor in weight gain for Type Os is the gluten found in wheat germ and whole wheat products, which interferes with insulin efficiency and slow down metabolic rate. Another factor that contribute to weight gain is certain beans and legumes (lentils and kidney beans) contain lectins that deposit in the muscle tissues making them less "charged" for physical activity. The third factor in Type O weight gain is that Type Os have a tendency to have low levels of thyroid hormone or unstable thyroid functions, which also cause metabolic problems. Therefore it is good to avoid food that inhibits thyroid hormone (cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, mustard green) but increase hormone production (kelp, seafood, iodized salt).

Several classes of vegetables can cause big problems for Type Os, such as the Brassica family (cabbage, cauliflower, etc.) can inhibit the thyroid function. Eat more vegetables that are high in Vitamin K, which helps the clotting factor which is weak in Type Os. The nightshade vegetables can cause lectin deposit in the tissue surrounding the joints. Because of the high acidity stomach, Type Os should eat fruits of alkaline nature such as berries and plums..Type Os should severely restrict the use of dairy products. Their system is not designed for the proper metabolism. If you are a Type O of African ancestry, you should eliminate dairy foods and eggs altogether.


Characteristics of Type O

Best on High Protein Diet

Thrive on intense physical exercise and animal proteins

Do not do well with dairy and grain products

Hardy digestive tract

The leading factor in weight gain for Type Os is the gluten found in wheat germ and whole wheat products.

Type O have a tendency to have low levels of thyroid hormone and unstable thyroid functions, which cause metabolic problems and weight gain.

Type O have high stomach-acid content, can digest meat easily.

Hair Cream Bath

What it is ?

Cream bath is the Indonesian treatment like our head massage with warm oil or Neelbrighandi tailam or coconut oil.

Where ?

This is a staple treatment available anywhere and everywhere like reflexology. However, I prefer to do in the places I go for my regular treatments as it lasts for about 45 min to 1 hr.

1.Gorjes – Since they specialize in hair and I go there for haircut or Totok so I opt for creambath too.

2. Korean Spa – Here also since I go for my regular treatments, sometimes I opt for creambath if there is still time.

Cream bath starts with putting aloe/ginseng/avocado-scented cream on the hair and for the next 45 minutes it is massaged into the hair. After which the hair is wrapped with a steamed towel/ or steamer. While steaming, the therapist works on the upper back, then the lower back. Sometimes, or if you ask for it the therapist will use a coin on your shoulders and back to rub out the stress spots. It will leave you with deep red tiger stripe-like welts all over your back. It is excruciating while its being done but after a while, it feels so much better. After that, the therapist works on the arms and hands. After that, hair is shampooed and blowdried if you opt for it.

Personal Rating

Its good. More than the cream and the hair, what benefits is the massage and stress release from shoulders and back and is good once in a fortnight.

Belly Candle therapy

What it is ?

By getting regular belly candle treatment, one can improve digestive and colon health, reduce water retention, achieve healthier looking skin and improve overall health. It involves deep abdominal massage followed by applying candle at the belly button to boost circulation and detox. It is supposed to help get rid of excess water in the body, swelling due to water retention

Where ?

Beauty Centre – I saw the kit on sale and found it very interesting looking and asked what it is for ? They said Belly candle therapy, well I did not know what that is so I asked ? Does your salon do it ? They said yes and I volunteered. Well they put this little lantern on the navel and then light the candle which is separated from the skin through a sieve so that the heat is felt but it does not burn the skin, there is a covering which is put. It continues for about 30 – 45 minutes where the therapist stokes the candle so that it does not die and the heat is supposed to address the centre of the body - the navel which is the source of genesis or creation plus improves stomach and abdominal functioning.

It reminded me of my childhood in my Grandmother’s house where whenever there was something wrong with your stomach, you were pinned to bed and then a Pan leaf , with warm oil was rubbed in circular motion on the stomach for about 10 minutes. This was supposed to remove all gas and toxins in the stomach.

However after 30 minutes I got very bored and asked the therapist to hurry up and then I bought a kit from there as a souvenier.

Personal rating

A good experience, but should do when really needed. Its not very commonly available. So far I have seen it in only one place. However, the experience for me was purely for academic purposes :)

Totok Wajah

What it is ?

Totok Wajah is the Indonesian method of pressing facial stress points. So it is also a facial but a different type. Doing so relieves stress and 4 sessions is said to work like a natural facelift………

Where ?

1. Dian Kenanga( 021 7812219) – This is the most famous place to do Totok in Jakarta as they specialize in it. The treatment starts with a standard facial done by the first girl. Then there’s a changing of the guard and another girl comes in to do the totok wajah. Treatment lasts 45 minutes to an hour. There are 3 types of Totok: Face, Breast and Body for slimming purposes. Cost for the Totok Wajah is Rp 60,000.

2. Itje Her (021.725.2504 Dharmawangsa Branch) – They offer a bouquet of services and the highly-addictive, Indonesian-style Totok Wajah is also good here. Cost is 55,000.

3. Gorjes ( Senopati) – This is the place closest to my house so I can go whenever I want.

Personal Rating

Well, I agree that it is very de-stressing because mostly you fall asleep when they do totok on your face. That is the biggest proof of how relaxing it is. However if distance does not mean much, Dian is the place to go.

Ear Candle

What it is ?

Famous as a Hopi healing therapy. It is also know as thermal auricular therapy, an alternative medicine and naturally helps in removal of the ear wax from a person's ear by lighting one end of a hollow candle and placing the other end in the ear canal. There are various schools of thoughts about it and some consider it dangerous and ineffective while some swear by it.

Read this TIME magazine feature on Ear Candle Therapy http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,47112,00.htm

Where ?

I have tried it in 2-3 places and since it seems easy to do, I also bought ear candles for myself so that I can do at home also….but not tried on my own as yet.

Korean Spa – Since I already go for my other treatments , I thought let me try this one too. Well it lasts for about 30 -45 minutes for both the ears. The girl keeps massaging gently around the ear area. It is painless, and once its completed, they open and show the residue in the candle that has come out of the ear.

Beauty World – The place where I bought my candles and since its owned by Chinese, I thought it would give me an authentic experience. But it was the same. I tried the Belly Candle treatment here too since this is the only place which offers it and sells the kit as well.

Personal Rating

It’s the same treatment everywhere. I did not feel anything dramatic after it, but it made me feel good to see the residue.

Kampung Sampierun Getaway

COMING SOON !!!!!

Javana Spa Getaway

3 N & 4 D at Javana Spa

Day 1

….……..i had dreamt and planned about it for a longtime and finally it materialized when Dhiren was also here. Everytime I used to see the website and details, I used to wonder if any place can be really like that and the rates seemed expensive…...but when I visited all my doubts vanished……it is such a beautiful and pristine place…..the day we reached at about 12.30 pm it was raining and it was very very beautiful and misty….we had started from Jakarta at about 9 am and reached there by 11.30 and we were welcomed with a welcome drink and after filling up the form we were lead to our rooms.

….Our room was simple and tastefully done up and the door on the other side opened to a very scenic and beautiful scenery. ….i had never seen an Onsen before so I was very curious to see the Onsen on the premises .hmmm it was nice and there was someone already there….so we came back to the room and got ready for lunch in the beautiful dining room facing the lake. Since I am a vegetarian for me the lunch was Potato and broccoli, we had made friends with the nice Spanish girl who had accompanied us and it turned out that she stayed in the same apartment as me – Sudirman Mansion and was working for the Spanish consulate…..

Afternoon after lunch they took us for the waterfall trek, it seemed there are some 7 waterfalls in the premises and this waterfall was a nice one with a pool where one could take bath also. The guide told us that on the next day we would be going to the waterfall which is the best for taking bath….

After the trek, we had one hour of stretching class and then a short juice break after which we were ushered in for the Spa treatment which was Aromatherapy body massage. After the one hour massage, I went into the sauna, sat there for sometime and then sat in the Jacuzzi…since there was no one there I sat in my birthday suit and it was good and nice, the hot water after the massage was very very therapeutic.

Then in the evening after this we had freetime and at about 6.30 we went to the Dining room for the evening cocktails and then eventually soup and dinner….we all became close and friendly…..and after we went for a stroll and had an early night …..

Day 2

…..someone knocked at the door at about 5.30 am and dhiren shook me awake….we got dressed and I wore my swimming costume….it was nice and cold and bright outside and we all assembled at the spa lounge and went for the trek….it was about 20 minutes walk and then we reached the place....it was breathtakingly beautiful and the water gathered in a perfect pool, very easy to access and take bath…..so while we were hesitantly thinking…this gentleman who had accompanied us said “ watch me” stripped off his clothes and jumped into the water….i couldn’t control myself any longer…. I too removed my clothes and stepped into the very very cold water………there was pebbles at the bottom of the pool and it was natural reflexology….and then I had a long bath in the pool , I tried to swim also…

…...this was the first time in my life that I had a full-fledged bath in a waterfall and I really enjoyed and relished the experience….after which when we came out of the pool they gave us hot ginger tea …..which was great, they had brought along towels for us and after which I wore my clothes on top of the wet costume and we all walked up……and headed to the dining room for breakfast…..the breakfast was muffins with strawberry jam and milk flavoured with ginger and cinnamon……and a platter of fruits….after breakfast we had two hours of high intensity aerobics and one hour of Stretching and relaxing.

Again it was Spa time – today I had opted for hair and scalp treatment…it was the regular hair cream bath……after this I thought we must spend sometime in the Onsen so when I went to the Onsen neither was the water very hot nor did it seem very clean, so we came out of it and went for a bath in our rooms…..

but it was good and then again we headed for lunch….today lunch was Spaggetti with bolongnaise sauce…..i enjoyed it thouroughly….and then after lunch again……..we went for another waterfall trek after which …there was a relaxation /stretch session and spa time …..today I had chosen Javanese massage and after the massage again we got ready headed for cocktails and dinner….everyday after dinner me and Dhiren took long walks in the estate and it was nice and cool and very very beautiful……

Day 3

………today morning I did not get up early and go for the trek to waterfall…I wanted to sleep and rest….so I stayed tucked up in my bed ….and then when Dhiren returned both of us got ready for breakfast…it was tofu and vegetable and then time for exercise again and my today’s treatment was Aromatherapy massaga again and in the evening spa time treatment was ….” Herbal Wrap” – it was a wonderful treatment something I did for the very first time……here is how it goes….the attendant asks you to take a shower…..after which you lie on the bed in a thermal aluminium sheet on which cloth which has been soaked in herbs for over 11 hours and boiled is put – you lie down and this whole thing is wrapped around you…and then a blanket is wrapped and you are nestled in this cocoon for 45 minutes in the meantime the therapist works on your face….and after 45 minutes, the wrap is removed and you come out of it feeling very fresh and clean….what this is supposed to do is detox the body and make it clean and fresh….

After this the therapist puts lotion all over your body.

Again evening , freetime, dinner and then walk and sleep

Day 4

Today is the last day and again is slept and left at 2 pm and reached Jakarta at 7 pm.

Detox - 2. Ion Detox

What it is ?

You put your feet in a basin filled with warm water and a pinch of salt, an ionic cleanser is dipped in it and you sit still for 30 minutes. The ionic cleanser proceeds to rid your body of toxins.This is the most relaxing way to get rid of the toxins present in the body. A flow of warm water will flow under your feet and the positive and negative ions in the water will attach themselves to the toxins present in the body. Toxins that are insoluble will also dissolve in this water. The colour of the toxins indicates Whatever color the water turns is supposed to be indicative of what is wrong with your body ( for example black indicates liver problem and so on)

Where ?

I have done it about 3-4 times so far. My husband was very suspicious in the beginning like all Indians, saying that it’s a trick and that the water would automatically turn dirty colours even if you do not dip your feet in it. However after research and validation with friends who had a detox machine at home, it was confirmed that’s it’s a genuine treatment which even Clinique Suisse does at its clinic in Singapore.

Pasaraya Grande opposite the gym - You sit in a comfortable seat and the attendant, who speaks English, wears a mock nurse’s uniform. It’s all sterile and professional-looking and the attendant attempts to take you through the therapeutic effects of getting a detox. Cost: Rp 250,000

Mal Ambasador 4th floor.A small little open and shabby place with a low sofa and male attendants. The two male attendants, needless to say, don’t speak English and you’re stared at by the passerby’s who wonder why you don’t go to a better place for a pedicure. Cost: Rp 60,000

Personal Rating

There are some do’s and don’t for this please check those like having no metallic insertions in the body and all that. I think it’s a serious treatment if clinique Suisse does it and it may not make you feel anything instantly except the feel good cleansing when you look at the dirty tub of water.

Detox - 1. Colon Cleansing

What it is ?

Colon is the sewer system of the body and if this gets choked then you can imagine the problems that occur if the sewer of the street is choked. The choking of colon can lead to constipation and production of poisonous gasses which in turn is harmful for the body. The cleaning of this part of the body is really easy. The doctor will insert a pipe inside your body through the Anus and then a flow of warm water is thrown into the body. This cleans the colon and it might take 4-5 sittings with the doctor.

Other methods of colon cleansing is :
1. Fasting is also one method of detoxification.
2. Triphala and other laxatives also help in cleansing by facilitating bowel movement

Where ?

Clinique Suisse( 021 57905890) - This is something I would do only at a safe and a place with the best Hygeine. So the obvious choice was Clinique Suisse, where it is done under the supervision of a doctor. I went one morning, consulted the doctor, who did a physical check up and told me I could do it right away.

So I did, well it is not very pleasant, and once the pipe is inserted then 36 litres of sterile water at a temperature of 37 to 39 degree Celsius flowed into my body and as the wait accumulates, you continuously want to purge but at the end of the 45 minute session, you feel lighter, better and relaxed.

I am given green tea, with two tablets of healthy intestinal bacteria to replace the bacteria removed during the cleanse and the doctor gives me a diet plan to follow.


Personal Rating ?

This is good, though not enjoyable and relaxing but I would recommend you to go for it only if you have a serious problem. Otherwise try laxatives, fasting and fluid and fibre diet.

Sauna, Scrub, Lulur and Facial

What it is ?

Sauna
You start with a shower, then a 15-20 minute in their mud-lined underground sauna with your face and hair covered by a wet towel and shower cap.

Scrub
Then, its time for scrub, one goes and lies on a tarpaulin-lined massage table in birthday suit and the massaeur takes a scrub (it is a square piece of scrub cloth similar to the body shop scrub gloves) and puts a little soap on it and starting scrubbing from the feet up and she scrubs all over and makes you lie on – front, back, side and every nook and cranny of the body is not spared from the scotchbrite-like scrubbing. It reminds me of those old movies where naughty kids are scrubbed clean especially behiend the ears. This scrubbing is very clinical and at times you feel you may be a vetenary hospital or a laboratory. But Rolls and rolls of black/gray dirt or dead skin cells, newly exfoliated and you feel clean and shiny. The places on the body which always accumulate the most dead skin cells are the upper back, the arms, and the chest. The girl keeps pouring warm water to wash off the dirt and continue with scrubbing.

Lulur
After the scrubbing, comes a massage with a mixture of one bottle of fresh milk and a scrub paste which is called lulur. The whole process takes a little less than 2 hours and when its done, the skin is so smooth , soft and shiny.

Facial

The above treatment you can combine it with a facial or stop after Lulur. But I usually take the complete package once a month with Vitamin C facial.

This is the best facial I have experienced till date. It is more than a facial, it’s a facial cum massage combined in one. While one facial girl works on a regimen of cleansing, massaging and toning the face, another massage girl massages your legs and arms and then the whole back. Whole treatment lasts about 2 hours.

Where ?

Korean Spa ( 021 520 4428) is my favourate place which offers the above package and I am a member there. All this comes for a very reasonable amount of 180,000 Rupiah (20 USD) + Tips.

Personal Rating

I have experimented in some other places, which always disappoint in comparison. So this place is sealed for Facial and the Scrub package. After all you cannot take chances with your face.

Reflexology

What it is ?

Reflexology is the ancient therapic technique of stimulating pressure points in the soles of the feet to improve blood circulation and relaxing the while body. Reflexology can relieves headache, shoulder ache, neck ache and back ache. Problem areas are identified by an experienced therapist by feeling tenderness , or crystals at the nerve endings, or pain at any point on the soles of the feet.

It is said that for maintaining a healthy balance, once a week is fine and for treatment for any specific problem – twice a week is recommended.

Where ?

Actually I have tried it almost everywhere – at the airport, at Ambassador Mall, at Pasaraya Grande, at Pacific Place, at Korean Spa, Zen Living centre and at the Foot Spa .

Kenko, Pacific Place (021 57973181) – As this is just a stone’s throw from my hosue, I This is the only place where they use powder instead of cream for reflexology. I have been here only once, I liked the ambience and the quite and the face that you can lie down also for the back massage.

Zen Living Centre( 021 7225685) – This is the only place where to compliment the foot treatment, there is a fresh flow of pure oxygen using a specially designed compact respiratory system available at the seat. Well, it was a different experience, but with the oxygen mask on my face and all white Zen surroundings, I got déjà vu impressions of being in a hospital…..my worse nightmare. One other good thing about this place is they have a Profile card, created the first time you visit and records problem areas

Foot Spa – At Setiabudi specializes only in all foot related things like reflexology, pedicures and manicures. I always do the 90 minutes treatment which includes, not just the feet and leg, but the hand, back , shoulders and head massage too. I am a member here for reasons of convenience more than excellence of service.

Ambassador – on the 2nd floor, its cheap but the massaseurs are busy watching TV.

Pasaraya grande – I like the treatment as the ambience is very nice and all the boys and girls speak good English and tell you about the problem areas.

Personal Rating

I feel massage with cream is better than powder, this is my personal subjective opinion. Secondly combining reflexology with oxygen did not do any wonders for me. However I like the concept of maintaining record of each and every client and tracking their journey to healing and wellness.

Hot Stone Massage

What it is ?

The healing power of touch combines with the energy of the earth in this relaxing, muscle melting massage. Smooth, warmed rocks glide across your body in long, flowing strokes. The heat helps to relax the muscles and has a soothing effect on the emotions. Simultaneously, rocks are placed on the body’s various energy points to encourage the body’s healing potential. This therapy is very useful in anxiety, sleeplessness and stress. The warmth of the stones dissolves tension, melts pain, strain and muscle aches away and improves circulation, back pain, insomnia and depression.

The stones are placed at strategic points on the body to allow the heat to penetrate and the muscle tension to melt away. The warm stones are massaged on various parts of the body including the face, neck, chest, stomach, and front and back of legs to increase stimulation. It relieves soreness and stiffness and rejuvenated and relaxes the body.

Where ?

I have tried it twice at Taman Sari, Wahid hashim ( 021 3143585) , charge 175,000 (20 USD) and duration is about 90 minutes . The first time was good, the second time, the massaseur was new and wasted a lot of time struggling with the stones.

I also tried it at Gorjes, Senopati just an experiment because its close to my house and felt my money was wasted – it cost the same 175,000 (20 USD)

Personal Rating

I think it’s a new thing in Indonesia and is yet to be perfected by the spa’s claiming to offer it – as it seems the next big thing. It stops at stone massage and no one talks about the next level of Aura cleaning and chakra balancing.

P.S : I am very very fascinated by this and have bought my own Hot stone massage kit and face stone massage kit as well. See the Pictures.

Why Wellness ?

Wellness is not just about pampering and beauty treatments....it is a way of life, it is a tribute to your body and soul, rewarding your body for all that it does for you silently, relentlessly till it breaks down someday. We all rush to hospital when we are sick and spend astronomical amounts on treatments and medicines. But what do we when we are not sick ? All those things that we do when we are not sick to remain healthy, happy and peaceful is what comprises Wellness.


In Ayurveda, it is believed that our body is surrounded by five layers or koshas. A disease which manifests in the physical body like cancer, tumor, heart attack and so on, did not happen overnight....it started from a simple imbalance somewhere and travelled through all those five layers over a long period of time to reach the physical body and manifest as a full blown disease. And once it reaches here, it has to be treated with allopathic medicines, surgery, and strong drugs because it cannot get cured, it cannot be removed from its roots.


Where are the roots ? The root is an imbalance which happened long ago - it can be dosha imbalance, negative emotions, toxin accumulation or stress or something else. When the disease has not yet reached the physical body but is still in the 3rd, or 4th layer - it can be cured by Fasting, Prayers, Meditation, Herbs, Sattvic food, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Massage and other alternative therapies which are meant to restore the balance along with healing and curing. All these therapies, treatments and ways of life which restore the balance ( physical, emotional and mental) and make us feel happy, relaxed and balanced is what comprises wellness. And the best thing is you enjoy it and its good for you.


I am a Wellness enthusiast and it is a path i have decided to follow.... My favourate weekend activities are all centred around it these, in the ascending order of priority…though I like to experiment with all kinds of new treatments and therapies….Here in the last 26 months....i have tried a lot of things ....let me tell about those...