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Balinese massage Balinese massage is a full-body, deep-tissue, holistic treatment. Balinese massage uses a combination of gentle stretches, acupressure, reflexology, and aromatherapy to stimulate the flow of blood, oxygen and "qi" (energy) around your body, and bring a sense of wellbeing, calm and deep relaxation. Balinese massage uses a variety of techniques including skin rolling, kneading and stroking, and pressure-point stimulation, combined with the aromas of essential oils. Balinese massage is a good treatment to choose if you want to experience a variety of massage techniques, need some help to relax, or if you're feeling a bit low. A relaxation massage with attitude, this treatment will help you feel calm, but it will boost your circulation and target knotted tissue to address physical issues as well. What to expect from a Balinese massage Balinese massage is usually performed on a massage couch, but can also be performed on a floor mattress. Aromatherapy forms an important part of a Balinese massage. The use of scented massage oil can be very therapeutic, with the aroma of the essential oils soothing your mind. The massage oil also helps massage strokes become fluid and free of friction, which makes for a more comfortable treatment. Expect the therapist to use quite deep pressure during the massage, in order to work on deep, knotted tissue and muscle damage. Your therapist will also use long, gentle strokes and kneading to relieve tension and improve circulation in the muscles closer to the surface of the skin. Sessions usually last about an hour. You will feel all kinds of wonderful after a Balinese massage: relaxed, refreshed, re-energised. You will probably smell fantastic after all those essential oils, too. If you have the chance to lie down afterwards, take it. Soak in the wonderful feelings of relaxation and realignment for as long as you can. What is Balinese massage good for? Balinese massage techniques work to soothe damaged tissue, and relieve strained muscles and joint pain. The boost to your circulation will help reduce stress and rebalance your body, and the aromatic oils can also boost your mood. As this massage targets deeper layers of muscle, and boosts circulation, Balinese massage is useful for sports injuries. As with all spa treatments, you should tell your therapist if you have any medical conditions, are taking medication or think you might be pregnant. Different types of Balinese massage Bali is just one of hundreds of islands that make up Indonesia. Many of these islands have evolved their own special kind of Indonesian massage. All of the massages fuse ancient traditions and practices into treatments that will help your body to heal physically and spiritually, and leave you feeling wonderful. Here are a few examples: Sasak massage Lombok massage Urat massage Balinese Boreh ( a massage created by rice farmers to ease pain using a preparation of a paste of ground spices) Javanese Lulur Ritual (traditionally performed on brides in preparation to marriage). Thai massage Traditional Thai massage is a wonderfully energising and balancing treatment. To find out more about the origins of the technique, and what you can expect from a Thai massage, The Good Spa Guide talks to Tina Herridge, Head Therapist at SenSpa at Careys Manor. What is the historical significance of Thai massage? "The roots of Thai massage date back to the founder of the practice, Shivago Komarpaj, known as Father Doctor. He was a doctor and friend to the Buddha. Ancient medical texts were carved in stone to preserve the tradition of Thai massage and these can be seen upon the walls in the Wat Pho temple in Bangkok. The ancient knowledge and practice of Thai massage has been passed down from parents to children, ensuring that generations continue to benefit from these traditional techniques. Thai massage techniques differ, depending on which areas of the country you are in. Today, these differences are found mainly in remote areas. In the South of Thailand the emphasis is on pressure points (focussing on the energy lines) and in the North of Thailand stretching is emphasised. People gather from different regions, exchanging their techniques of Thai massage. Today, commercially, Thai massage combines both pressure points and stretching." Senspa therapists What are the basic principles of Thai massage? "Thai massage works on the meridian (energy) lines within the body. When you become ill, the flow of energy around the body has become blocked or is not flowing as freely as it should. When you have a Thai massage it encourages the flow of energy, bringing harmony and balance to the body. Thai massage therapists have an intuitive sense and feeling to know where to apply pressure and for how long to press, aiming to release muscular tension and stretch out tight muscles, ultimately encouraging flow of energy around the body. When therapists use their body weight to release stress and tension from within the muscles it works deeper and is more focused. Therapists combine leverage and balance of their own body weight to apply more or to ease off, ensuring they use the correct pressure on each client. Throughout a Thai massage the therapist will start with meridian work. This means palm and thumb presses along the energy lines, which warms the muscles and increases blood flow. Working around the joints, releasing tension and encouraging movement occurs before stretching of the limbs. Through working on the meridian lines and joints, it warms up the body physically and emotionally enabling maximum benefit from the stretching." How is Thai massage different to other massage therapies? "The Thai method uses pressure points, muscle stretching and compression in a rhythmic motion. When doing a Thai massage, therapists use their hands, feet, elbows, forearms and knees. It is performed on a mat on the floor using no oils, as it is done on top of clothes. Western styles of massage are usually performed on a couch and use oil, directly on the skin in long, scooping and continuous strokes." Thai massage techniques Examples of finger pressure and stretches used in Thai massage. What is Thai massage good for? "Thai massage can release muscular tension, increase flexibility and mobility of joints and improve breathing. The techniques used can also help to increase blood circulation, boost the immune system and promote mental clarity. A Thai massage experience can help you relieve stress and anxiety, encourages the flow of energy through your body, raise energy levels and stamina and promote an overall feeling of relaxation and well-being." What should people be aware of before they book a Thai massage? "Thai massage is a deep massage and whilst a good therapist will ensure an enjoyable experience, some areas may feel slightly painful due to tightness of muscles. Thai massage is a clothed massage, which is unusual. There is lots of passive stretching involved and the therapist uses palms, forearms, elbows, knees, feet and toes to manipulate and relax your body. Contra-indications are health conditions which may affect the massage. However, whenever a therapist can adapt your massage, they will. Main contra-indications to a Thai massage are bone/joint conditions, skeletal conditions, pregnancy, varicose veins, thrombosis, recent operations, high blood pressure and elderly clients. Relaxing your body and loosening your limbs, allowing the therapist to take your weight, will ensure maximum benefits from the massage." Who would Thai massage be most suitable for? "Thai massage is most suitable for people with lots of muscular tension, those suffering from mind and body fatigue, and people with emotional stress and worries." Aromatherapy Aromatherapy uses essential oils to make you feel calm, relaxed, or energised. The oils work with your sense of smell: you can inhale them, bathe in them or be massaged with them. What is aromatherapy good for? What to expect from aromatherapy Different kinds of aromatherapy Hot tip! What is aromatherapy good for? Aromatherapy uses warm essential oils to activate your sense of smell and increase your sense of well-being. The oils are massaged into your skin, dropped into bathing water, or blended with other oils or steam for you to inhale. The essential oils used in aromatherapy are extracted from raw plant material, which may be flowers, berries, bark, wood, roots, leaves, resin, peel or seeds. Only a small amount of essential oil is needed, which is blended with a larger amount of "carrier" oil, such as jojoba, sweet almond or grapeseed. Commonly used essential oils include flowers oils such as camomile, lavender, rose and jasmine, and oils extracted from trees such as eucalyptus and sandalwood. Aromatherapy works on the basis that the smell of the essential oils triggers the limbic system: the part of the brain linked with emotion. This is why a scent can affect how you feel, and help you relax. Smell is a very powerful sense that can also work with your memory. Certain smells can remind you of events, people and places. The smell can also take you back to how you felt about what you're remembering: your emotional memory. The perceived healing power of essential oils is a main attraction of aromatherapy. It is also the main question for the sceptic. Very little scientific research has been conducted into the efficacy of aromatherapy. One main difficulty is that it is virtually impossible to carry out randomised double-blind studies involving different smells. Studies have shown that lavender and rosemary decrease the stress hormone, cortisol (1), but many claims of aromatherapy enhancing emotional, physical or spiritual health cannot be tested scientifically. What we do have is many people giving anecdotal reports of improvements in these areas. Aromatherapy is often used to: relieve stress and anxiety help you to sleep better; whether you have problems getting to sleep (insomnia) or staying asleep help you relax relieve tiredness or aching muscles soothe chronic pain aid concentration. Aromatherapy massage can have short-term benefits for psychological well-being and a positive though not sustained effect in reducing anxiety.(2) The quality of aromatherapy varies. We recommend that you find a qualified practitioner, preferably one who has trained at a college accredited by the Aromatherapy Council. A good spa will be happy to provide information about the therapists who work there. You may want to phone ahead if you're worried about your medical history, any skin or other conditions or allergies. Some essential oils are not suitable if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have: epilepsy high blood pressure hypoglycaemia kidney problems had recent surgery suffered from deep vein thrombosis. Certain medications might also be affected by essential oils, including antibiotics, antihistamines, sedatives and anti-epileptic drugs. Check with your therapist before booking your treatment. Some oils, particularly citrus oils (such as orange, lemon and bergamot), react with ultraviolet light and can cause your skin to burn more easily. Ask your therapist for advice before exposing yourself to the sun. What to expect from aromatherapy Depending on the aromatherapy treatment you have chosen, you can decide how much or how little you want to wear. Essential oils can stain, so it might be wise to bring old clothes. Watch what you eat and drink beforehand; some essential oils, such as clary sage, don't go well with alcohol and could make you feel sick. At the start of a typical aromatherapy consultation, your therapist will ask about your medical history, general health, diet, sleep patterns and lifestyle. This is to help her decide which oils are most appropriate for you. Aromatherapists are not trained to make a medical diagnosis. After choosing your essential oils, the therapist will blend them with a "carrier" oil (such as grapeseed or almond), then gently warm the mixture. Adding heat to the oil helps your skin to absorb it more effectively. Depending on the treatment you're having, the therapist will massage the oil into your hands, feet or entire body. Your massage will be smooth and flowing, designed to instil a sense of relaxation and calm. Every session is tailored towards you, your health and your mood at the time, so every session is unique. Aromatherapy usually lasts for about an hour, although your initial consultation might take longer. Afterwards, you'll probably want to lie back and enjoy smelling beautiful for a while. Take time out to relax before you dash off anywhere. You may like to treat yourself to some essential oils to take home, too: use them for baths, in oil burners or for inhalation. Different kinds of aromatherapy You can combine aromatherapy with a variety of other treatments, including: full-body massage reiki reflexology Indian head massage steam rooms and laconiums facials. Hot tip! If you have an aromatherapy massage, bear in mind that the oils can smell quite strong. If you have a shower afterwards, you are unlikely to lose that lovely smell, but you will get fewer odd looks on the street.