Colombo Court Blog Wellness
Balinese or Ayurvedic: which massage to book
They are not two versions of the same treatment. One works on the muscles, the other on the whole body, so the choice depends on how you want to feel afterwards.
Balinese and Ayurvedic massage appear on almost every spa menu in Sri Lanka, and many people simply choose the name they recognise. The two treatments are quite different, so it helps to know what each one offers.
Balinese
Balinese massage is firm and rhythmic, and it focuses on the muscles. The therapist uses palms, thumbs, knuckles and forearms, with long strokes along the arms and legs and enough pressure to release tension, such as the stiffness in your shoulders after a long flight. Warm oil is used throughout, and gentle stretches are added towards the end.
Choose Balinese if you have just had a long flight, if you hold tension in your neck and shoulders, or if you want to feel the benefit straight away. It is the ideal treatment for the day you arrive.
Ayurvedic
Ayurvedic treatment comes from a much older system of healing, and massage is only one part of it. The pressure is gentler, and the strokes follow the paths along which, in the Ayurvedic tradition, the body’s energy flows. The oils are central to the treatment. They are selected for you, warmed and applied generously, and they are usually herbal oils made here in Sri Lanka rather than a scented base oil.
Choose Ayurvedic if you would like a slower, more restorative treatment. It is less about fixing a problem and more about restoring balance, and the effect is often felt later that evening rather than immediately.
How to choose
In short: if you are sore, stiff or have just landed, choose Balinese. If you feel stressed or are not sleeping well, and would like to relax rather than have your muscles worked on, choose Ayurvedic. If you have never had either and want to feel a clear effect, choose Balinese with firm pressure.
Sixty minutes is enough for a first treatment. For Ayurvedic, ninety minutes is better, because the slower pace is where much of the benefit comes from.
What actually happens
Your therapist will meet you in person rather than hand you a form. She will ask about your daily routine, any pain or injuries, and the pressure you prefer, and she will do this before the treatment begins. Every treatment starts with a foot ritual, which is included within the treatment time.
A robe and slippers are provided in the room, there is a locker for your belongings, and you remain covered throughout the treatment.
Afterwards
Keep the rest of your day free. The plunge pool and the jacuzzi are a few steps from the treatment room, and many guests say that alternating cold and warm water is the part they remember most. Then enjoy a cup of tea and a seat in the shade, with nowhere else to be.
The Court Spa is here. It is open daily from 9am to 9pm and welcomes non-residents as well as hotel guests.
