Preparing mind, body and soul after Lebaran

Working can be so distressing. That’s why many people from different fields of work  complain about their jobs. They wait for any holiday so they can run away from office routines and behind all pressure.

Many Indonesians recently took advantage of one of the longest holidays of the year —  Idul Fitri. This is the time most of us wait for. Some undertook the exodus to their hometowns to undergo the long lasting tradition of visiting families, friends and colleagues to forgive each other.

Many others chose to go to holiday spots.

Often with a long list of things to do, holidays don’t always feel stress-free nor are they always refreshing. In fact, they can be as tiring as having to work.

As many employees take a long holiday and plan to resume work on Monday, they will only have one day left on Sunday before going back to their routines. Going back to work with a sore back after a long journey or with a bad cold due to constant heavy rain doesn’t seem such a good plan.

It’s best to regain stamina for a better fresh start. Among the options available is going to spa. People in the spa business truly understand this and work out to meet the purpose. In fact, some have started services a couple of days after Idul Fitri.

Puri Saras, the royal Javanese spa in Bintaro, for example, resumed its services three days after Idul Fitri. The spa has received phone calls asking for reservations. Just like previous years, they are expecting a spike in customers of up to 60 percent.

“Normally, this kind of business is more crowded on weekends. During the 10 days after Idul Fitri, it feels like every day is a weekend because we have more customers,” said Sonny Noersal the spokesperson.  

Customers go to the spa with various complaints, whether it is tiredness after a long trip or because of household strains they have had to deal with while their maids and drivers were off on holidays.

According to Sonny, one client came to the spa after long days at work selling cookies for Idul Fitri. “She decided to come and regain her stamina so she can be ready to work again,” he said.

For their customers to feel lighter and refreshed, the spa offers special package programs like “refreshing” program and the “jetlag revival”.

The refreshing program consists of aromatherapy body massage, papaya enzyme body scrub and hydro bath using Vichy shower. With assistance of professional therapist, you can find aromatherapy to suit your needs. Jasmine, Indonesian rose, lemon grass and ginger are the essences they’d likely recommend to refresh your body.

Then there’s the papaya enzyme body scrub which suits people who spent their holidays under the sun and suffer sun burns. The specific scrub helps lightening darkened skin, makes it tighter and obviously cleanses it.

And with the help of Vichy shower, you can simply lie on a treatment table instead of jumping up and getting in a shower to rinse off the scrub or oil. The machine is a metal arm with shower heads that runs parallel so you can get a shower while lying down. The cascade of water is aimed to certain body points to relax the nerves. After the process, you can say goodbye to tiredness, dizziness and sleepiness.

Then just like its name, the jetlag revival is a complete treatment for faster recovery after tiring trips.

The whole treatment lasts about four hours. The treatment includes a full-body massage, acupressure for the face,  reflexology on your feet and hands and hair and scalp nourishment. A full head-to-toe treatment.

There are three kinds of massage that the spa offers, Javanese, French and Swedish. As opposed to other massage techniques, Javanese massages start from the sole of foot. French massages start from the abdomen, while Swedish massages start on the back.

The Javanese touch is rather stronger compared to other techniques, making it popular among Indonesian customers. Different techniques have different results too. Javanese massages cure tiredness, French improves circulation and fights cellulite and Swedish massages relaxes people who are stressed. The cure to your complaint lies on the best option you choose.

In the past, spa and body treatment have mostly targeted women. Lately, there has been a change in the business and more male customers come to have a body treatment. In Puri Saras, male customers are made welcome and, in fact, make up 40 percent of their customer base.

There’s a fundamental difference between going to traditional spa like Puri Saras than going to more modern spas. Paying bills to traditional spa means you’re also buying a long-lasting tradition.

The Javanese are just one ethnic group in Indonesia with a long history of body treatment. The royal families are used to keeping health and beauty with traditional herbs and now the ingredients are used in traditional spa. These ingredients are believed to have fewer side effects than synthetic remedies.

But it doesn’t stop there, some traditional spa adopts cultural aspects as well. Walking through Puri Saras for example, customers will get a sense of Java in the air. Gamelan music plays from the minute the spa opens until it closes.

Herbal fragrances welcome you everywhere, and the famous Javanese philosophy is well practiced there, alon-alon asal klakon (slow but sure). This specific philosophy makes Javanese traditional spa suits people who want to escape from their hectic schedules.

“The best thing about the slow tradition in Javanese culture is it teaches to do everything carefully so we’d get the best result,” said Musi owner of Puri Saras.

Sonny explained that the traditional spa concept helps fulfill inner needs as well. The ambiance is as traditional with hospitality and order as part of the service.

Usually their customers don’t go straight home after finishing a body treatment. They enjoy spending time by the fish pond to drink ginger ale, eat fried tofu or tempeh. The sound of running water relaxes them.

Going home, they have a relaxed body, mind, and soul. This is good for a better sleep and makes you wake up feeling fresh and ready to face the long day ahead.