The Birth of Indonesian Spa Practices

From the desks of BUMI’s writers and editors

Long before the global fascination depicted in the movie ‘Eat, Pray, Love’, destinations like Bali were sought after for their spiritual retreats in its deep forested landscapes. One can expect daily yoga practice, plant-based cuisine, floral baths, and energy healing from local healers, also known as Balian. And they were not forgetting, the renowned Balinese Massage, a bodywork practice that has made these treatments and therapies and Bali itself a beacon of wellness, transcending borders to prestigious spas worldwide.

While Bali has perhaps played a crucial role in popularising Indonesian spa treatments both locally and internationally, the birthplace of Indonesian spa and massage practices is more closely linked to the island of Java, specifically the UNESCO Heritage Site, Borobudur Temple.

Maybe let’s go a little more down the history lane. How did Spas even start in Indonesia?

Borobudur, a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist Temple in Central Java, revered as one of the world’s greatest Buddhist monuments, was a sanctuary for Hindu-Buddhist pilgrims. Rediscovered in the 19th century after centuries of obscurity, buried under volcanic ash and overgrown vegetation, Borobudur's intricate architecture and ancient carvings depict not only religious teachings but also ancient rituals. One notable carving shows a man grinding ingredients with a stone mortar and pestle suggesting herbal mixtures were used to treat illnesses as early as the 10th century. Massages were another depiction hinting that these traditional methods of bodywork were used. Bathing locations known as petirtaan were found in Borobudur akin to modern spa facilities and rituals such as the floral bath soak.

If we look closer into the Indonesian traditional massages and treatments, it is heavily influenced by the healing and medicinal arts of India and China. This is because Hinduism arrived in Indonesia around 400 BC with Hindu priests introducing Indian medicine, including perfumed massage oils and plant-based medicines. Later, travelling Buddhist monks brought knowledge of Chinese medicine. The location of Indonesia was naturally strategic as a crossroads of maritime commerce which allowed this cultural exchange to further enrich the Indonesian spa tradition, incorporating diverse influences into its holistic practices.

Evolution Over Time

With these influences, it was during the era of the Mataram Kingdom in Central Java (8th-10th century), that the art of Javanese massage was further developed and refined. The kingdom's royal families had private massage practitioners, often elder women or men with extensive healing knowledge, who were highly skilled and trained through generations. By the 14th century, the practice had spread widely, with Yogyakarta and Solo's royalty using pijat or urut—traditional massages—for overall well-being. These royal families would often ask their healers to develop nature-infused treatments for their beauty, health and wellness rituals. This includes the creation of jamu, Indonesia’s famous traditional herbal medicine practice involving recipes passed down through generations.

The Principles of Indonesian Spa

Indonesian spas are designed to be multi-sensory experiences, engaging all five senses to balance the mind and body. The goal is to achieve harmonious stimulation of all the senses: sight (natural ingredients and vibrant colours), hearing (sounds of nature), smell (aromatic scents), taste (herbal tea or tonics), and touch (pijat or urut), emphasising the balance of mind, body, and spirit. With Indonesia being an archipelago comprising over 17,000 islands, it is home to more than 40,000 indigenous plant species, making it no surprise that its spa traditions draw heavily on the abundant local flora to harness the healing properties found in nature.

Perhaps these are the reasons why the global adoption of treatments like the Balinese Massage has cemented their place in the international wellness industry, offering not only physical benefits but also profound relaxation and renewal, shaped by Indonesia's warm hospitality and ancient healing techniques.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in traditional Indonesian spa practices, driven by a global demand for authentic and natural wellness treatments. At BUMI, with its founders' deep Indonesian roots, there is a mindful and concerted effort to preserve, share and celebrate these techniques and Indonesia's rich heritage authentically.

Here’s our question to you, our BUMI community,

In what ways can the principles of Indonesian spas—natural ingredients, holistic healing, and spiritual rejuvenation—be integrated into daily life for better well-being?

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© BUMI - An ode to Indonesian time-honoured traditions, treatments and therapies.

BUMI means 'earth’ in the Indonesian language. We embrace the therapeutic wonders of nature, where the harmony between human health and environmental wellness goes hand in hand.

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