Sole searching for some foot reflexology

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!