Jari Menari literally translates to ‘Dancing Fingers’. The renowned spa and rejuvenation center in Seminyak owes some of its success to the traditional Massage Arts that has survived a long history.
The herbal poultice massage originated back in 14th century Thailand. Wounded soldiers would visit a healing master who would prepare the following: various herbs, plant roots, essential oils, a cloth, a piece of string, and steaming water. The cloth wraps around the herbal medicine and forms a ball or bun, the end of which is tied to secure the ingredients. It is then steam heated to allow the natural oils to seep out of the plant matter. This forms the exact same herbal poultice that practitioners use in the modern-day.
The gentle warm pressure of the herbal poultice relieves muscle tension and soreness in two ways – from the steam and physical heat of the poultice, and from the therapeutic warmth of the herbal oils as they make contact with the skin. The warmth increases blood flow, relieves inflammation, and promotes healing.
Herbal poultice – what’s inside
Ingredients may vary, but one concoction may have the following:
- Black peppercorns – high antioxidant activity
- Coriander – anti-inflammatory
- Cloves – improve skin health, cleanse infection.
- Bay leaves – anti-fungal for skin infections.
- Rosemary – natural antibacterials.
- Rose — improves blood circulation
- Sage – relieves insomnia
- Sandalwood – calming
What science tells us
The therapeutic effects of a herbal poultice massage are observed by medical researchers as being similar and even have a slightly better effect, than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They’ve tested the Thai herbal poultice on patients with osteoarthritis and leg muscle pains.
A higher number of these patients experienced reduced pain compared to those treated with conventional medicine. This suggests the centuries-old herbal poultice still remains one of the best natural remedies, combining human interpersonal interaction, to heal even medical pains such as osteoarthritis. Imagine what physical and psychological benefits it provides to those trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle!
Jari Menari – what you will expect
Picture for a moment in your head. You have just returned from surfing, hours of long walks and shopping, or swimming in the sea, and your muscles are aching. Indeed, you really can feel it the next day – you try to massage yourself or ask your spouse to massage the pain away, but it’s not working. No amount of lying in bed helps ease the tension. If you’re staying at The Colony Hotel, just call room service to organize what you’ve heard is one of Bali’s best massage services – Jari Menari.
You feel the warm drop of massage oil. The tangy and beautiful smell fills your nasal cavity. You close your eyes with anticipation and your sore back seems to have a longing to be restored to its natural state.
With a long fluid movement, you can feel your muscles being guided to their correct length, like a tense spring being wound back. You feel an incredibly pleasant sensation as the practitioner kneads your shoulders. It seems the practitioner has a kind of mystical mastery of looking through your muscle tissues. The warm and gentle pressure from the herbal poultice takes you on a meditative trip that ends after 90 minutes of timeless bliss.
Many people return to The Colony Hotel to experience Jari Menari again. It’s not just massage, it’s healing. Likewise, The Colony Hotel is more than just a hotel. It is a resort for couples who seek to reignite their love, couples on honeymoon, and hotel enthusiasts who appreciate the little things – the colonial-style architecture, the service, and of course, the massage.