The cultural significance of popular wellness practices
There’s more to Chinese acupuncture and Maori romiromi massages than needle pokes and fancy rubs
Text: Grace Ma
Wellness rituals in the Asia-Pacific are often more than solutions to problems in the physical body. Many of them are entrenched in the daily practices and beliefs of the local people, and offer a glimpse into their unique cultures and traditions.
Here, The Soothe check out the origins of a few popular healing treatments.
Credit: SANGHA Retreat
Acupuncture
One of the oldest healing practices in the world and a part of traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM) practice, acupuncture is based on the concept that disease results from disruption in the flow of qi (energy) and imbalance in the forces of yin and yang. It is first mentioned in Huang Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon), the fundamental doctrinal tome of Chinese medicine, but is believed to date back to 100 BC.
Jamie Waring, Managing Director of Wellness at SANGHA Retreat in Suzhou explains, “Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points on the body by a variety of techniques, including the insertion of thin metal needles through the skin. It is intended to remove blockages in the flow of qi t(energy) to restore and maintain health.” At SANGHA, acupuncture is often used as part of its holistic wellness programmes that combine ancient Chinese healing modalities with modern scientific research for balanced healing.
Credit: Aman Resorts
Lulur
Lulur, which means ‘coating the skin’ in Javanese, is a traditional Indonesian ritual for beauty and general wellbeing. Alexander Ivanov, Regional Spa Manager for Aman Indonesia shares that the treatment originates from Java’s royal palaces and was introduced to Bali in the 16th century.
“Back then, the wellness treatment consisted of daily massages with fragrant oils, lulur as a herbal scrub or paste made of rice and herbal powders and flowers, followed by a herbal bath with flower essence. For special occasions such as weddings or religious celebrations, an 'inner beauty' routine of fasting, purification rituals and drinking jamu (herbal tonics) was added.”
Today, lulur is still very much a part of the Balinese life. Aman’s Indonesian properties each have a variation that is influenced by the local traditions and family recipes of the therapists. For example, Amandari’s Mandi Lulur treatment has white turmeric and white ginger with sandalwood balancing the heat from the latter.
Romiromi massage
Romiromi and mirimiri massages are ancient bodywork practices that are deeply entrenched in centuries of traditional Maori healing wisdom and knowledge known as Waananga. It starts with kaupare, an ancient Maori prayer and wai-tai (blessed sea water) is also used during treatments for spiritual protection. Practitioners such as Wikitoria Oman, who runs her own healing clinic Wikitoria Maori Healing in Rotorua, New Zealand, are usually trained and mentored by a tohunga (spiritual leader).
Oman explains that romiromi can assist in the healing of the body through the use of body manipulation and pressure on specific points to release blocked energy. Sometimes tension, stress and trauma can manifest as pain, illness or dysfunction on a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level. She says, “A romiromi wellness treatment helps to reverse the effects these issues have on us by bringing balance back to the body.”
Credit: Anantara Chiang Mai Resort
Thai Massage
According to Anantara Chiang Mai Resort’s Thai Massage Guru Panissara Chaokhelang, the acupressure technique of the traditional Thai massage Nuad Thai is a wellness practice that has been passed down through the generations for centuries. Its roots can be traced back to the origins of self-care in Thai village society. She shares: “Children in Thai rural households are taught how to ease the aching muscles of their parents and grandparents. I was taught to massage even before I was 10 years old. While we might not understand the theory behind it, we learn how to pull and push limbs and step on the back to soothe the muscles of our hardworking relatives.”
