Spa treatment relaxes your body and mind<\/p>\n
T. Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Stressed out by the frantic pace of urban life? Jakartans have
\nfound a new way to unwind. Its not playing golf, squash or
\ntennis, nor is it exercising in a fitness center. It seems that
\nphysical exercise has been forgotten in the pursuit of
\nprofessional pampering.<\/p>\n
Communications expert Kafi Kurnia, says this new trend is
\nreally taking off. He readily confesses that he treats himself to
\nan hour or two at the spa at least once a week. In terms of
\nrelaxation, he explains, the spa far surpasses a trip to the
\nshopping center or eating out.<\/p>\n
Spa treatments rejuvenate your body -- some claim your soul
\nand mind. During treatment, one is usually massaged from top to
\ntoe. There is a choice of various scrubs and oils, as well as the
\noption to finish the treatment with a soak in the spa bath.<\/p>\n
While spa therapy is not exactly a new concept, Jakartans have
\nlong-perceived spas as an extension of the salon. Now, as they
\ncatch onto the idea of holistic health, people are looking for
\nspiritual downtime as well as physical rejuvenation.<\/p>\n
Kafi believes that westerners, who experienced accelerated
\nstress levels in the 1980s, looked to Southeast Asia for
\nalternative stress management, including practicing yoga and spa
\ntreatments.<\/p>\n
Indeed, who wouldn't be tempted by the facilities that are on
\noffer as spa therapists know exactly how to indulge their guests.<\/p>\n
Water is essential to life and an important component of most
\ntreatments. Guests may lie in running water or water from a hot
\nspring. They may luxuriate in a private spa bath, pool or
\nwhirlpool, or take the cold plunge -- whereby a long soak in warm
\nwater is interspersed by quick dips into cold water --
\ninvigorating to say the least.<\/p>\n
Martha Tilaar and Mustika Ratu are among the most famous
\nspa-industry names here. They are also the country's biggest
\ncosmetic manufacturers and use their own products for spa
\ntherapy.<\/p>\n
These businesses have been so successful that outlets have
\nopened up overseas. Martha Tilaar spa outlets, for example, can
\nbe found in Kuala Lumpur, Brunei Darussalam and South Korea,
\nwhile Mustika Ratu has opened up in Malaysia, Singapore, China,
\nJapan and Canada.<\/p>\n
\"Spa therapy is not our core business, but we have offered the
\nservice since 2000 to meet public demand as it has become the
\nlifestyle of many people,\" said Yudhi Arya, the operational
\nmanager of Martha Tilaar spa.<\/p>\n
\"More people are aware of what they drink and eat. Also how to
\nsatisfy their body and mind through the spa.\"<\/p>\n
Martha Tilaar's Eastern Garden is only available at five star
\nhotels, while for those on a tight budget, Martha Tilaar Salons
\nand spas are located in shopping malls or stand-alone outlets,
\nwhich now number now 30.<\/p>\n
Yudhi pointed out that the spa business is enjoying robust
\ndevelopment, especially now that the economic condition of the
\ncountry is more stable. Customers are both women and men, as men
\nare no longer shy about visiting the spa or the salon.<\/p>\n
The term \"metrosexual\" has been coined for the growing number
\nof heterosexual men in the metropolis that have large salaries
\nand are not afraid to indulge themselves in facials, massages and
\nthe like.<\/p>\n
A full body spa treatment usually takes between one and six
\nhours. The price ranges from under a hundred thousand rupiah to
\nmore than US$1,000 at exclusive spas in locations like Bali.<\/p>\n
\"But for people who do not have that much time (or money), we
\noffer shorter treatments, like the hair 'spa',\" said Arya,
\nreferring to therapy that concentrates on one area of the body
\nsuch as the scalp or feet.<\/p>\n
Lifespa at the Jakarta Hilton International opened in the
\nearly 1990s, while its fitness center has been operational since
\n1985.<\/p>\n
\"We opened the spa center as more people were aware of the
\nimportance of good health and were looking for alternative
\ntreatments,\" said Ade Andria, Lifespa's marketing communications
\nmanager.<\/p>\n
\"Actually both the fitness center and the spa are centers for
\nrelaxation. The difference is, at the fitness center, you will
\nfind relaxation is the result of hard work, while in the spa the
\ntherapists do the work for you,\" she said.<\/p>\n
For Rp 280,000 (about US$34) one can enjoy a two-hour full-
\nbody treatment at Lifespa. The client will be treated to a
\nmassage, body scrub and body mask. Reflexology is available for
\nRp 80,000 a session.<\/p>\n
Due to the high demand, Ade suggests making a reservation to
\navoid disappointment.<\/p>\n
Vena Melinda, a TV and film actress who runs a fitness center,
\nis one of many people who regularly indulge in spa therapy.
\nUsually, she says, she spends four hours at a spa center. Three
\nhours for a full-body treatment and another hour for reflexology.<\/p>\n
\"I really enjoy the atmosphere and the rituals - the massage,
\nthe scrubbing, the aromatherapy...,\" she said.<\/p>\n
She does not go to any specific place for treatment but she
\ncites centers in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Lombok, Bali and Batam
\nas among those she has visited. According to Vena, she enjoys
\nbody treatments in Indonesia the most. Her favorite center is
\nlocated on Lombok.<\/p>\n
\"I book a spa treatment once a month. This relaxes my body and
\nmy mind, and helps me to achieve balance in life,\" she said.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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