Balinese Massage in Ubud: Where to Get The Best One?

What is so special about Balinese massage and where to get  the best on in Ubud? There are things in Southeast Asia that you might not only love to learn about, but also to experiment with yourself: alternative medicine is most likely one of them. Get ready for some luxurious pampering, the best ingredients in essential oils and amazing treatments by some pros!

Ubud as a growing Balinese “capital of wellness” (maybe also growing too fast?), is the right place to get the best of traditional holistic treatments.

Balinese massage in Ubud: how is it different compared to a Thai one?

Similar to Thai massage, a Balinese one is strongly influenced by traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines.
In a Balinese massage, you’ll find techniques of acupressure, reflexology, aromatherapy and even some methods of classic Swedish massage (kneading strokes). Your skin will be rolled and flicked by a masseuse during the procedure, while some essential oils will be applied to stimulate the flow of your blood and chi energy in your body.

So what’s the main difference between a Balinese and Thai massage?

* A Balinese massage is more relaxing. During Thai massage your body is twisted and moved into different positions, while during a Balinese massage nobody will test your flexibility. You’ll lie down the whole time and the only physical effort you’ll make will be turning from your stomach onto your back.

* In a Balinese massage, the movements of a tukang pijit (a local masseuse) are smooth and firm, but there is no strong pressure of stopping and releasing the blood flow applied as in a Thai massage.

* Unlike in Thai massage, where you need to wear loose clothes, a Balinese massage requires you to undress and stay only in your underwear (no bras for women.) Afterwards, you’ll be fully covered with warm towels during the massage. That said, Balinese massage requires more private space and is more suitable for spas rather than massage shops.

* In Balinese massage essential oil is used, while in a traditional Thai massage it isn’t.

Massage in Ubud
A room with the view at Ayusha Wellness Spa in Ubud

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* While Thai massage is usually done on a floor mat, in Bali you’ll be treated on a comfortable padded table.

* However, both types of massages help to relieve pain in your body as well as reduce stress and bring your body back into balance, just via different techniques.

Apart from a Balinese massage, you can find other types of massage treatments in Indonesia: Javanese massage (rougher and sometimes focuses only on a certain part of the body; (Javanese Lulur Ritual which is performed on brides when getting them ready for a marriage), Sasak, Lombok or Urat massage.

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Check this guide on the best private pool villas in Bali.

Heading to Asia? Read on!

Where can you get the best Balinese massage in Ubud?

No worries about finding a good place to fix your backache, relax your muscles and get rid of stress in Ubud. Although, if you care about the environment and responsible travel, you’ll be more picky when choosing an environmentally conscious spa. After having done our research, we found a gorgeous, very mindful and eco-friendly spa in the Penestenan area, which is only a few minutes’ drive (about 15 minutes walking) from Ubud: Ayusha Wellness spa.

massage in Ubud
Plumeria flowers of Bali. Photo: Rattakarn, Pixabay.

Eco-friendly Ayusha Wellness spa in Ubud

‘Ayusha’ in Sanskrit means “a long life” and this is the main principle that the spa follows. Not only do they provide excellent holistic treatments that might contribute to your longevity, but Ayusha works to provide a long life for the surrounding nature too. The facility is built right in the middle of a lush forest near the Campuhan river and not a single tree was cut while building the spa.

In Ayusha, they follow Boreh Balinese tradition, which is basically a massage technique created by rice farmers who used it to relieve their pain using natural ingredients (clove, ginger, turmeric, galangal, cinnamon, coriander.) Essential oils used in Ayusha Wellness Spa are prepared by local herbalists from organic herbs and spices. In addition Ayusha also uses Australian organic cosmetics, Mukti.

The spa has only three rooms and six massage tables, one infrared sauna and an absolutely fantastic stone bathtub just near the river. All of the rooms are actually in open-air space and in the couples rooms you’ll get a stunning view of the river and into the lush green forest.

Join one of the local tours in Bali: 

Let’s get the treatment started

Ayusha pays a lot of attention to your medical history, previous injuries and your actual physical condition so that a masseuse can choose the right Ayurvedic oil for you and avoid possible parts of your body that can still cause you pain. To warm up your tissues and make your body more relaxed, you’ll spend a maximum of 30 minutes in the “far infrared sauna.”

This sauna is supposed to be more effective than a traditional Finnish sauna, since the infrared rays speed up your blood circulation and allow more oxygen to arrive to injured areas (so the recovery of wounds is faster.)

massage in Bali
Let’s the massage begin, of course, with a high-quality essential oil. Photo: Karolina Grabowska from Pexels.

To enhance the warming up procedure and to follow the Ayurvedic tradition, you’ll be served a ginger-lemon tea.
And then, an hour or an hour and a half of pure bliss awaits you. You’ll lie on a padded table, covered with warm towels and the masseuse starts the massage by touching your back for a minute so that she can get more in touch with the natural flow of your body.”

Our masseuses Puri & Sari were very well-trained specialists and the whole Boreh Balinese massage at Ayusha Wellness spa was beyond a simple treatment. It was like a symphony of nature where you can experience all elements: the air from the breeze of the nearby forest, the water from the sound of the river below, the fire from the warm towels and the kneading of the masseuse and the earth from the touch of your therapist that leaves you feeling “grounded”.

I can highly recommend going for a body scrub, after which you’ll be wrapped in warm towels for about 15 minutes. Oh, and the head massage at the very end: this will make you feel like a new person, indeed.

Ayusha Wellness cares a lot about the details of their interior, too. You’ll find that there are beautiful bowls of white stones and purple flowers on the floor so you will get a great view while laying on the bed face down for about an hour. Delicate decorations, calm colours and the wooden structures of the space makes you feel very comfortable and relaxed even before your massage starts.

At Ayusha, you’ll finish your treatment by relaxing on the table for a few minutes and will receive a cold drink afterwards so that your body can cool down.

Once you finish your massage therapy at Ayusha, you feel rejuvenated and will want to visit there more often to meet their great and knowledgeable staff, be in the care of professionals, spend quality time amongst nature and leave from there feeling refreshed and relaxed.

If you are looking for a deeper experience you might want to check the retreats organized by OneWorld Kumara just few minutes out of Ubud.

You might want to check this article if you want to know where to stay in Bali.

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Disclosure: Our 90 minute massage at Ayusha Wellness Spa was complimentary. As always, our opinions, relaxed muscles and balanced bodies afterwards are our own.

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15 thoughts on “Balinese Massage in Ubud: Where to Get The Best One?”

  1. Wow, what a wonderful experience. Ayusha Wellness looks absolutely beautiful – especially that bath!

    I had my first, and only massage, in Ubud. I would definitely love to go back someday and experience another Balinese massage!

    1. Ivana Greslikova

      Hi Karianne, Ayusha is a spa heaven, indeed. The treatments they provide are performed by very well trained personal, you should try to get there when in Ubud next time 🙂

    1. Ivana Greslikova

      Thanks, David. Bali is a real heaven for all foodies, especially vegan & vegetarians 🙂

  2. Carolann - One Modern Couple

    This is great information! I had an unfortunate incident with a Thai massage that left me sore (not in that post-massage un-knotted kind of sore) and dealing with headaches for longer than I care to remember! A Balinese massage sounds a little more up my alley and definitely something I’ll strike up the courage to try when there – and I’ll probably take your suggestion on Ayusha as it sounds amazing (and safe!).

    1. Ivana Greslikova

      Hi Carolann, so sorry to hear about the incident… Unfortunately, it happens with the Thai massage, especially when a masseuse is less sensitive or doesn’t do the job well, or also when our bodies are not used to that kind of treatment. I have to say I had the same experience with a headache after a Thai massage twice and it almost discouraged me to go for any massage after that.
      Ayusha is a blissful heaven of peace, hope you can experience it yourself! Let me know about your experience, I’d love to hear about it.

  3. Pure bliss! I’ve just left Ubud and miss it already. I went to Karsa Spa which is up on Campuhan Ridge. I had a Reiki session which was IDR200 and also a Balinese massage a few days later (can’t remember the price for that). The spa is set in the most beautiful rice field – well worth the trek! I really wish I had taken note of the oils they use (they let you choose one at the beginning) – just a tip for those going. Thanks for bringing back some lovely memories!

    1. Ivana Greslikova

      Thanks for commenting, Rachel! True, Ubud is the right place when it comes to wellness and healthy lifestyle. Although there are plenty of spas to choose, we picked Ayusha because of its absolutely gorgeous environment (you’re having a massage right in the open air studio in a jungle) and for their mindful concept. Happy travels and many other massage experience in the world!

  4. Hi Ivanna….
    This is my first visit to Ubud n I really like to know how should I get to tour place if I’m staying near to Yoga Barn…
    May I ask how deep is the pocket …
    Thank you.
    Su

    1. Ivana Greslikova

      Hi Su, thank you for reading. We’re not the owners, just visitors of Ayusha, though.
      Surprisingly, their website we linked to in the article doesn’t work anymore, so you might want to contact them directly via phone: +62 361 975454 or +62 361 975 578 or in this address: Jalan Raya Penestanan, Kelod, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. We went there by motorbike and followed Google map and instructions of one visitor from their tripadvisor page: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g297701-d6022840-Reviews-Ayusha_Wellness-Ubud_Bali.html

      Hopefully they still run their business and you will be able to enjoy it 🙂

      Ivana

  5. What a great blog Ivana! I have never been there but one day would love to go. As a massage therapist I try to learn new massage techniques. I love Thai massage! If you had a headache this could be due to the lack of water you drink before and after. You have toxins built up in your body and massage gets them moving. Your body needs more water to move it through your lymph system and out your body. Lack of water causes headaches and pain after massage if not enough water is consumed. I know nothing about Balinese massage. I definitely have to research this now lol! Thankyou!

  6. The colors are so vibrant – your photography is fantastic! Looks like you all had a wonderful time! 🙂 Never heard before about Balinese massage! Thanks for sharing, much obliged!

  7. Just looking for a place to get a massage in Bali and found your post. Ayusha sounds fantastic and I love that it’s eco-friendly too. Booking my appointment now!

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