Sole searching for some foot reflexology

Susanna Tjokro, Contributor, Jakarta

There are many different names used to refer to the practice of foot reflexology, including Sole Reviver, Total Foot Spa and Tapak Warih Sariro.

All of them claim that they are the real thing when it comes to foot reflexology treatment. Whichever you choose, hopefully it will put a smile on your face after your tiring day!

Alila Hotel; Jl. Pecenongan Kav. 7-17; Tel. 2316008; Opening hours: Monday - Friday 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday & Public holidays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Minimalist is the Alila Hotel's middle name. The name Alila itself means "surprise" in Sanskrit. So don't be surprised by Alila Spa's price list where a sole reviver will cost you Rp 200,000. But it's worth it -- for good service and privacy.

The treatment room is beautiful, minimalist yet stylish. The scent of lavender fills the air, giving rise to a relaxing atmosphere. Splashes of cool green will soothe your mind. New Age music softly infuses the air, while lacy white curtains hide you from the world outside.

For a few minutes, your tired feet are soaked in warm water, infused with a few drops of essential oil. The therapist massages them and then washes them with a lavender foot wash. They were then refreshed with a peppermint foot spray.

You lie down on a padded, reclining massage table with a blanket and support under the knees. The therapist uses Chinese pressure point techniques as part of a treatment called Sole Reviver (for 50 minutes) that focuses on the feet's reflex points to restore balance to the body, including stimulating the blood circulation.

Then the legs are massaged with a fragrant foot cream. After the session, although I did go "ouch!" once or twice, I felt fresh and rejuvenated.

At Alila Spa, you pay for what you get: absolute peace and privacy (not to mention silky smooth feet!).

Puri Ayu Martha Tilaar; Graha Irama; Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Block X/I, Kav. 1-2 Mezzanine floor; Tel. 5261124, 5261125 and 5261121; Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.; Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed on Sundays)

This is truly an elegant place with sophisticated Javanese charm. Tapak Warih Sariro, or the Tapak treatment (Tapak means sole), is a unique combination of reflexology and the art of Indonesian traditional massage as practiced by the Badui people in Banten.

"Unconsciously, we stimulate the reflex points on our feet by walking barefoot over stones," explained Hj. Worro Harry S., the spa consultant at Puri Ayu Martha Tilaar.

Worro's first encounter with the tapak treatment was unusual. Once, after taking a long walk, her feet were tired. She walked barefoot and pressed her weary feet onto the stones by the river and they suddenly felt much better. So she brought home some stones and developed the treatment.

You may receive the treatment in a cozy, discrete corner or in one of the beautifully appointed rooms.

First, your feet are soaked for 10 minutes in a blend of warm water and fresh herbs (such as lemongrass) to stimulate blood circulation.

A parem or boreh traditional mask is then applied to the feet for 10 minutes. After the footbath session, your feet are moisturized with foot lotion (a blend of sandalwood and ginger).

There are two main sessions involved in this treatment. The first one is reflexology. Warm pumice stone is pressed onto the reflex points on your foot.

During the next session, the therapist kneads your feet with a special massage, a blend of Banten, Badui and Javanese massage techniques. Massage oil (containing ginger and sandalwood) is applied to reduce cellulite and accumulated tension in the feet.

If you are into experiencing something unique, give yourself the Tapak Warih Sariro treatment (Rp 150,000, with the treatment lasting for one hour).

D & D Refleksi; Hotel Mercure Rekso; Jl. Hayam Wuruk No. 123; Tel: 6248680 ext. 3241; Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, except on Saturday: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Golden Hotel, 2nd floor; Jl. Angkasa No.1; Tel: 6255555; Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p m. daily

The place is nestled away inside the Mercure hotel in the hectic Kota area of West Jakarta. If you find yourself stuck in the nightmare traffic there and aren't in a hurry, just drop into the tiny D & D for a spot of quick relief.

You may also find another branch of D & D Refleksi at Golden Hotel in Central Jakarta.

"Personally, I think, reflexology is good for business people. It relaxes the mind and reduces stress," explained Ove Sandstorm, the general manager of the Mercure hotel.

In the Mercure, you can enjoy reflexology at D & D. It's not really a profitable business for the Mercure, but Sandstorm wants to keep D & D as a service for his customers.

When I visited D & D at the Mercure, it had just been opened for a few days. The interior was modest, with just four reclining seats and a large TV plus two big reflexology charts on the wall. In the near future, you may well be able to enjoy some music, get your feet bathed in warm, scented water and smell the jasmine aroma of the oil burner. When I was at D & D, however, there was no music, no footbath, just TV and reflexology.

The one-hour foot reflexology (and leg massage) session itself, however, was pleasing. The therapist used a slightly different method than the usual. He pressed my feet with his fingers bent over (occasionally, he used a number of fingers at the same time) and applied some foot cream to assist his strokes.

The session was rounded off with 15 minutes of neck and shoulder massage. But for just Rp 50,000 per hour, it's well worth trying!

Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa; Jl. K.H. Wahid Hasyim 133; Tel. 3143585, 3801433; Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

As the light scent of jasmine wafts through the air, extraordinary may be the first thought that crosses your mind when you enter Taman Sari. Javanese objets d'art enhance its beauty. You can't help but notice the artistic interior design of this place.

The guest can have her foot reflexology treatment in the beauty parlor. If you like privacy, they can knead your feet in a private room -- without any additional charge. Each room is beautiful and fragrant.

If you're a regular client, the therapist will show you your progress card from previous visits and offer suggestions before you begin a Total Foot Spa.

As part of this treatment your feet are bathed and scrubbed in warm, scented water. Then the therapist soaks them in water mixed with sea salt and essential oils for ten minutes.

Afterward, your weary feet will be treated to 30 minutes of foot massage and reflexology treatment.

At Taman Sari, your hands may benefit from hand reflexology too. The total hand reflexology process takes about one hour. Total Hand Spa is priced at Rp. 135,000. Meanwhile, the cost of Total Foot Spa is Rp 231,000.

If you're in a languorous mood, this beautiful place will pamper you silly with its royal treatment. So enjoy yourself!