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Lifestyle Wellness Program at The Mulia

by Sandra Ramani

The Mulia, Nusa Dua, Bali

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Since it opened on Bali’s Nusa Dua peninsula, The Mulia, Mulia Resort & Villas has garnered fans for its one-stop-shop offerings: with a beachside boutique hotel, a larger resort, and tucked-away villas—plus a wide array of dining—all on the same property, this is a place where everyone from privacy-seeking honeymooners to families can find their sweet spot.

Now, with the launch of the Lifestyle Wellness Program, The Mulia Spa has also made it easy for guests to enjoy a destination wellness-style experience—even if their traveling companions just want to hang out at the pool.

Available in Full Day (six hours) and Half Day (four-hour) versions, the program is a blend of fitness, holistic cuisine and pampering. Guests fill out a form in advance noting goals and concerns, and  choosing treatment and meal preferences from a long list of picks.

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The experience typically starts with a customized early-morning workout (maybe a beach walk or stretching class), followed by a healthy breakfast in the spa, and another fitness class, like aqua aerobics in the main pool. Then it’s on to the spa treatments: Balinese herbal oil massages, nourishing facials, coconut shell massages, herbal body wraps and more, broken up by multi-course, whole food-focused lunches and dinners, and sessions in the spa’s heated pools, saunas, and ice rooms.

Thanks to the personalized itinerary and attentive service, you’ll come away feeling like you’ve spent a week at the spa—miles away from the resort’s other distractions.

Off the Menu

For guests who prefer an a la carte experience at the Mulia Spa, there is plenty to choose from on the extensive and diverse treatment menu—and there are even seasonal, off-the-menu choices, too. The latter include services that incorporate local Balinese ingredients, like a body scrub with coffee grounds (to boost circulation, reduce the appearance of cellulite and leave skin glowing), and a traditional Indonesian ginger body wrap with lulur herbal scrub.

The spa has also recently introduced a selection of Ayurvedic treatments, including abhyanga and marma point massages, the deeply relaxing shirodhara hot oil treatment, and amrutham moordham, a 30- or 60-minute therapy that focuses on the head and scalp, and helps with headaches, eye strain and anxiety. All treatments use natural and organic oil blends tailored to each client’s dosha, or body type; the Pitta blend contains herbs like coriander, cardamom and peppermint; Vata features anise, chamomile, and ginger; and Kapha has green tea, cinnamon, pepper, and clove.

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Finally, to help deal with the effects of Bali’s humid, tropical climate,  the Mulia Spa has created a version of a traditional hot oil hair treatment that has been used by generations of local woman—who swear it’s the secret to their thick, shiny locks. Using a blend of hibiscus, Fabian Aralia leaves, aloe vera gel, mint leaves, ylang-ylang flowers, pandan leaves, champaka and more, in a base of virgin coconut oil, the treatment works to tame frizz, increase luster, and prevent dandruff and hair loss.  themulia.com 

Tip
Mulia Spa_drink_inlineOne of our favorite aspects of the Mulia Spa is simple to re-create at home: the refreshing detox drink served before and after most treatments. Perfect for cooling you off from the hot Balinese sun, the drink also supports the digestive system, increases circulation, is calming, and has diuretic, anti-microbial and astringent properties.
It’s also a snap to make. For every 8.5 cups of water, you’ll need:

  • The juice and zest of one lime
  • 1 inch worth of galangal (red ginger), cut into thin pieces
  • If you can’t find galangal, substitute 5 tablespoons finely chopped ginger
  • 3-4 stalks lemongrass, chopped

Add all ingredients to the water, bring to a boil, then remove from the stove. Let it steep for about an hour; when still a bit warm, add honey to taste, and stir. Let it steep for another few minutes, then pour into a pitcher of ice to cool. When you’re ready to drink it, pour it into a medium-sized glass, top with a sprig of mint, and enjoy!

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