Cobblestoned walk a free treatment in the heart of the city

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.