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)