Cobblestoned walk a free treatment in the heart of the city

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Aminah, 50, a resident of Pekayon, Bekasi, grimaced in pain as she hobbled along the cobbled walkway in the National Monument (Monas) Park in Central Jakarta in her bare feet.

"It hurts, but that's OK. Some people say that if you feel pain in your feet, that is a signal something is wrong with your body's internal organs," she said on Saturday.

Aminah was one of several Jakartans taking advantage of the newly constructed reflexology zone in the park.

"I was curious when my friends told me about the reflexology zone. That's why I came here, even though it took me two hours to get here," she said.

The 2,000-square-meter cobblestoned walkway is a new attraction at the park, which is known for its 117-meter tall tower topped by a giant golden cone and its collection of at least 28 spotted deer.

"I live in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta, about an hour's drive from here. But I always try to come here every week for some exercise to keep my body fresh," said Bakri, 50, who came to the park with several members of his family.

Like many other Jakartans who come to Monas park for a little recreation and exercise, Bakri said he would use the reflexology zone.

The cobblestoned walk is also equipped with handrails for the elderly or for those who find the pain in their feet too much to stand.

And on Saturday, several visitors were using the cobblestoned walk in an entirely different way, laying their entire bodies out on the rocks.

"It is relaxing and soothing to lay down on the cobblestones. Try it," said Cicih Sukaesih, 19.

A large sign at the center of the reflexology zone provides information about 36 nerve points on the soles of feet and their connections with the body's internal organs.

According to Chinese tradition, walking on cobblestones can help stimulate and regulate the more than 14,000 nerve points on the soles of the feet, which are connected to all areas of the body.

Regularly walking barefooted over cobblestoned walkways can help maintain balance in the body, since stimulating the nerve points on the soles of the feet can influence the body's organs, according to this tradition.

An employee at Monas park said the reflexology zone would eventually be extended to about 4,000 square meters.

One visitor Laila, 30, however, complained that Monas was one of the very few parks in the city.

"Instead of providing parks and open spaces for residents, the city administration is busy building malls and shopping centers," she said.

At least nine new malls will open in Jakarta this year. The capital has a total area of 65,000 hectares, of which 9 percent is currently classified as green space. The administration plans to increase this figure to 13.9 percent.