Balinese Massage: All You Ever Wanted to Know About Traditional Balinese Massage

If you love spa treatments and essential oils, you’re going to love Balinese massage. Balinese massage soothes away the aches and pains of everyday life and makes you feel amazing.

If you need to stimulate blood flow, ease muscle tension, and enjoy pressure point stimulation, you’ll find that a Balinese massage is good for you.

Say goodbye to stress and hello to this amazing relaxation treatment that you can only enjoy at the hands of a skilled Balinese therapist.

Our guide to Balinese massage will help you learn everything you need to know to regain harmony in your body and enjoy a traditional massage with confidence.

What Is Traditional Balinese Massage?

A Balinese massage is a style of massage that, unsurprisingly, originates in the Indonesian region of Bali.

It features a lot of aromatherapy and the massage oil is likely to be an essential oil or combination of essential oils to create a mentally soothing experience.

Some of the oils used in this type of massage such as Frangipani essential oil are unique to Balinese massage and it provides a level of mood enhancement.

This type of massage is very easy on the skin and body as the massage oil means there’s very little friction even when kneading out knots in your legs or muscles.

Balinese massage also boosts circulation and there is a use of long, gentle strokes to help stimulate blood flow.

Most people leave a Balinese massage feeling relaxed, refreshed and full of energy. They also tend to smell pretty good thanks to the aromatherapy.

Some folks will want to lie down directly after the massage and you may find your therapist can provide somewhere to chill for a while after your treatment.

Is Traditional Balinese Massage The Same As Traditional Indonesian Massage?

Yes and no. All Indonesian massage techniques draw their inspiration from similar sources but each island has its own unique way of doing massages too.

Balinese massage is its own unique style and it can only be properly experienced in Bali.

What Can I Expect From Balinese Massage Techniques?

These techniques are meant to relieve strained muscles, ease pain in your joints, and soothe damaged tissues under your skin. Kneading helps the blood to flow properly through your body and the benefits are myriad.

This can also have a positive impact on the lymph system but it’s not a form of lymphatic drainage massage.

It may also incorporate reflexology which is claimed to have many benefits for the body and mind too.

What Types Of Balinese Massage Are There?

Balinese massages may take their inspiration from Bali but they may also combine other types of massages from around Indonesia.

You are likely to find influences from the following massages when visiting spas here in Bali:

Sasak Massage
Lombok Massage
Urat Massage
Balinese Boreh (this is a unique massage that is used mainly by rice farmers to ease the aches and pains of working in the fields all day long and it requires a paste made from ground spices to deliver all of its benefits)
Javanese Lulur Ritual Massage (this massage is usually only given to brides on the day before their wedding in Java)

FAQs

What Is The Difference Between A Balinese Massage And A Normal Massage?

If you’re from the West, then your “normal massage” is probably based on the Swedish school of massage.

Swedish massage is based on certain anatomical principles and its main stroking motions are effleurage (a light friction treatment – using long stroking motions with a flat hand or fingers) and petrissage (a deep tissue massage that uses pressure to unknot muscles).

Balinese massage, on the other hand, is drawn from Asian traditional medicine and it uses acupressure, reflexology, and essential oils such as Frangipani essential oil to deliver a more holistic full-body treatment for relaxation.

The strokes used are relaxing strokes and it employs vigorous pressure point stimulations, skin rolling, and gentle stretches as you lie on the massage bed.

Both forms of massage are valid and, in fact, you will find other Asian countries use additional techniques that are also valid.

What Is The Difference Between A Balinese Massage And A Thai Massage?

Balinese massage focuses on aromatherapy, relaxation and inner peace. It’s designed to be relaxing and you will be gently massaged as you lay in the massage room to ensure your body and mind operate in harmony.

There’s a lot of focus on choosing essential oils suitable to deliver these results too.

In contrast, Thai practices are all about acupressure, stretching, blood circulation and energy flow. There’s very little use of massage oil in Thai massage.

The idea is that you live a Thai masseur feeling invigorated, awake and flexible. Again, this is a perfectly valid form of massage – it just seeks a different outcome for the patient.

Do You Wear Clothes For A Balinese Massage?

No, though you will probably be provided with a sarong or underwear for your comfort, the scented oil they use in a Balinese massage, means that it’s not a good idea to wear clothes – they would get stained and greasy.

If you ever have any concerns regarding any type of massage, you should discuss them with your therapist, your strained muscles and body cannot relax if your mind isn’t at ease.