Spa and wellness in Indonesia
Spa and wellness is rooted deeply in the Indonesian tradition. It has evolved from a mixture of the Hindu, Buddhism, and Muslim cultures over thousands of years. Bali has become a leader in luxury spa tourism in Asia and is home to more than 20 of the world’s best spas. In 2017, Heavenly Spa by Westin, Nusa Dua, Bali was announced as the Global Winner of Best Luxury Wellness Spa by 2017 World Luxury Spa Awards. Bali’s attractions for spa and wellness tourism include its skilled local therapists, abundant local ingredients for spa products, and its natural and breathtaking landscape.
Traditional treatments which are used in spas include `jamu'(Indonesian herbal treatment), `Balinese Boreh’ (traditional herbal scrub), `Bali Kopi scrub’, and the `Royal Javanese treatment’. Spas are starting to grow in some larger cities like Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung. Spas are an important part of wellness tourism. Still Indonesia has numerous other ancient wellness-related offerings such as traditional or nature-based healing therapies, alternative/complementary health practices, traditional beauty care or anti-aging treatment as well as cultural and relaxation programs.
Ayurveda wellness in India
Ayurveda refers to a system of medicine with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. In countries beyond India, Ayurveda therapies, as well as practices, have been integrated into the general wellness applications & in some cases in medical use too.
History of Ayurveda:Ayurveda has a rich and interesting history. Ayurvedic medicine is considered to be one of the world’s oldest holistic healing practices. It contains two Sanskrit words: Ayu which means lifespan or the life and “Veda” which means knowledge. This system of medicine was originated in the ancient lands of India. It was recorded more than 5,000 years ago in the Sanskrit language, in the four sacred texts called the Vedas: the Rig Veda (3000-2500 BCE), Yajur Veda, Sam Veda, and Atharva Veda (1200-1000 BCE). Hindu Vedas consider Ayurveda as a gift of Gods directly to mankind which was communicated to saints and sages of India via deep meditation. Throughout these years, the importance of Ayurveda grew significantly. Today, Ayurveda is included in the alternative and complementary therapies and is often used along with conventional (prescription) medications for the treatment of chronic illness such as skin as well as joint problems.
Diagnosis:Ayurveda has total eight ways to diagnose illness, called Nadi (pulse), Mootra (urine), Mala (stool), Jihva (tongue), Sparsha (touch), Shabda (speech), Druk (vision), and Aakruti (appearance) respectively. Ayurvedic practitioners often approach diagnosis by using the five senses. For example, hearing is commonly used to observe the condition of breathing and speech.
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Wellness
TCM is an ancient system of health and wellness that’s been used in China for thousands of years. Western medicine focuses mainly on treating disease. But TCM looks at your entire well-being.
Western medicine tends to view the body a lot like a car. It has different systems that need the right inputs and outputs. It’s very concrete and logical.
TCM, on the other hand, doesn’t focus on science and medicine. Instead, it’s based on balance, harmony, and energy. There are two central ideas behind TCM:
Qi: This is also called life energy or vital energy. The belief is that it runs throughout your body. It’s always on the move and constantly changes. TCM treatments often focus on ways to promote and maintain the flow of qi.
Yin and Yang: These are opposites that describe the qualities of qi.
- Yin: night , dark, cold, feminine, negative
- Yang: day, light, warm , positive, male
The belief is that everything in life has a little bit of its opposite, too, and balance is the key. For example, a drug from your doctor might heal disease. But it’s dangerous if you take too much of it.
According to TCM, these ideas play out in our bodies. When you balance the yin and yang of Qi, you feel healthy and well. If they’re out of whack, you feel sick. TCM aims to create harmony and a healthy flow of qi.
What Kind of Practices Does TCM Use:
Several. They include:
- Acupuncture: very fine needles placed gently in the skin
- Cupping: heated cups that create suction on your skin
- Herbs: teas, powders, and capsules made mostly from plants
- Meditation: a way to sit quietly and calm your mind
- Moxibustion: dried herbs burned near the skin
- Tai chi: exercise with slow movements and focus on the breath