Asian spa experiences

The spa experience is so much more than a massage or a scrub — it’s a way of life. The most memorable spas not only honour the healing wisdoms of their heritage, they draw on their natural surroundings for inspiration. Where else in the world can you immerse yourself at the very source of treatments, modalities, philosophies and wisdoms that have been refined over centuries?

The influences from the East, for example, can increasingly be seen and felt at the most beautiful spas around the globe. From hotel spas, day spas, resorts and destination spas to medical spas and wellness and holistic spas, the choices in Asia are many.

Perhaps this is why the world is intuitively drawn to the East. The Asian spa is part of a global movement to encourage all of us to value not only our earth’s natural elements like water, plants and herbs, but also our own inner glory. No longer do we need to put our health and wellbeing in the power of a select few. The renaissance of Asia’s spas is for everyone.

Architecturally, the spas in Asia are structures of great beauty. They are living temples of the spirit with many of the locations chosen for their sacred history. Imagine sacred temples, monasteries, luxury tents and ancient palaces. In fact, many Asian spa treatments derive from ancient beauty and bathing rituals once practised in royal palaces.

It’s also the geographic closeness of these cultures that flavours the spas here with infinite variety. With Thailand, Maldives, Malaysia, Bali, India and Sri Lanka only a few hours’ flight from each other, it’s no wonder a stay at a destination spa is like immersing yourself in a melting pot of enticing treatments and therapies.

At the newly opened Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa in Penang, Malaysia, for example, the CHI Spa is designed like a Tibetan temple, surrounded by stupas and decorations reminiscent of ancient temples, and inside you can immerse yourself in the Himalayan culture via a range of treatments. Treatments here rely on the wisdoms of the Himalayan region blended with indigenous Malay healing.

Many of us who have spent time in Bali would have come across the mandi lulur on spa menus. This traditional beauty ritual was once reserved for royal brides in Central Java where for 40 days leading up to the marriage ceremony, brides-to-be were scrubbed and bathed in local plants and flowers. Starting with a body exfoliation made with turmeric root, the sequence includes a cooling yoghurt application with the finale a beautiful bath in a pool of warm water and floating flowers.

The common philosophy of all Asian treatments is this: When our whole body is rested, true healing can begin. Detoxification. Preventive medicine and healing. As the marriage between traditional, allopathic and alternative medicine deepens and health becomes the new wealth, the world is looking east for knowledge.

Asian treatments are far more than pampering and pots of dripping oil. They are designed to cleanse and balance the senses that refine our perception of the world. The treatments work deeply to restore harmony in the body and revive its natural healing system.

Where else do you find a doctor who is a yoga teacher, spiritual teacher, physician, astronomer and astrologer all wrapped up in one? We still have much to learn from the Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctors, and spas provide the vehicle for their knowledge to be experienced and embraced.

TCM treatments are increasingly offered at high-end hotel spas across Asia. Alongside spa pampering, one can take consultations with a TCM doctor followed by tui na massage, acupuncture and even bone setting.

There are lovely oriental herbal wraps, meridian massages and steam rooms filled with Chinese herbs that can rejuvenate you more than most spa treatments. Chinese tools of the trade are increasingly popular. New, fascinating and incredibly soothing treatments include the use of hot jade rocks, bamboo stick tapping, rice pearl masks and moxa stick applications.

What is wonderful about the East is there are spa experiences that cater to all budgets and styles (a relaxing thought in itself). On islands like Bali in Indonesia and Koh Samui in Thailand, there’s a number of affordable detox, fasting, yoga and spa retreats and when visiting Bangkok make sure you take a traditional Thai massage at the Wat Pho. My rule of thumb is to observe where the locals and expats go and follow their trail.

Whatever your choice, the simple joy of bathing outdoors in a petal-strewn bath with the fragrant tropical air filling your being is enough to remind you there’s still so much beauty in this world and that the earth, in its entirety, will always be the ultimate spa.

Eastern home spa recipes

Thai salt & herb scrub

• ¼ cup (60g) fine sea salt
• 3 drops each of lime, ginger and lemongrass essential oils
• 1 heaped tsp fresh lemongrass, chopped finely
• ¼ cup (50ml) coconut oil

Blend all to a smooth paste, then use circular movements to rub onto your body before rinsing in a warm shower or bath. Expect softer-feeling, smooth-textured skin.

Indian spice & yoghurt scrub

• 1½ tbsp almond meal
• 1½ tbsp oatmeal
• 3 tbsp yoghurt
• 1 tbsp water
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 2 drops each of sandalwood, ginger, patchouli and cinnamon essential oils

Combine almond meal and oatmeal together in a bowl, mix in the yoghurt and water, add essential oils to sesame oil and add to the mixture. Blend well. Apply to the skin pre-shower and scrub into the body. Rinse in bathwater or shower.

Judy Chapman is the author of three books on spas and wellbeing. She is the former Editor-In-Chief of Spa Asia magazine.