Modern spas add 'balian' healing touch

Modern spas add 'balian' healing touch

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Ten years ago, it would not have been
possible for Balinese parents to let their daughter work in a
spa, which was considered a sinful place with negative
connotations.

Today, spas are a combination of relaxation and beauty, and
even healing centers, where balian (Balinese healer) practice
their skills.

At present, more than 70 spas are operating in Bali with more
than 1,000 people working in the spas, ranging from spas in five-
star hotels to ones found along the small road Seminyak Street.

With this fast-growing number of spas operating in Bali, human
sources have been challenged. Like other service industries, for
the spa industry, skilled and service oriented staff is the major
resource.

The island's growing spa industry has attracted the Balinese
people, the youth in particular, to work in this field in the
hope they can gain higher salary, new knowledge, an opportunity
to work overseas and experience.

Yet, many spas operating in Bali, such as Jamu Spa at the
Alamkulkul resort and the Bali Hyatt Spa are facing difficulty
hiring skilled and experienced workers.

In fact, there are no difficulties in obtaining new staff and
training them, apart from the language, which is not a major
skill for the masseur or beautician.

James Taylor, founder of Ubud Sari Health Resort, said that
the Balinese people are naturally good masseurs.

Tangkas, Training Manager of Mandara Spa, an international spa
chain which operates 11 spas in Bali, said he trained his staff
to apply the technique of the local balian in healing people.

A number of spas hire international-standard trainers to teach
their staff the necessary knowledge of the spa industry. They
also employ local trainers to give classes on traditional herbal
and medicinal remedies. (Kora Amalwati)