The Dance of Healing: My Esalen Massage Experience at Jari Menari in Bali
- Symon Carter
- Oct 28
- 3 min read
After my time in Thailand, I thought I understood what it meant to be fully present during massage.
But Bali… Bali changes everything.
They call it The Island of Bliss for a reason.
There’s a softness in the air there — a rhythm in the ocean, a heartbeat in the culture. It’s as if the entire island breathes in harmony with you.
When I travelled to Bali, I wasn’t just continuing my training; I was stepping into something deeper — learning to move, feel, and connect through flow and intention.
Also, above all I can't forget to mention, falling deeper in love with my Best Friend...
Arriving in Seminyak
I arrived in Seminyak with no expectations, only curiosity.
After the intensity and structure of my Thai training, I was craving something more creative — something that felt like freedom through movement.
That’s when I did some training at Jari Menari, which translates to “The Dance of the Hands.”
The moment I walked through the open-air studio surrounded by tropical gardens, I felt the energy shift.
It wasn’t just a massage school — it was a sanctuary of rhythm, grace, and spiritual connection.
Learning the Dance
At Jari Menari, we were taught a taste of Esalen Massage and that every movement begins with breath and intention.
Hands, forearms, and elbows flow in unison, much like a dance — grounded in presence, guided by intuition.
Each day began with meditation and silent reflection.
Then came the practice — wave-like sequences designed to feel as though you’re choreographing energy across the body. I instantly fell in love with this style as it's flow and connection is as beautiful as the Hawaiian Style I follow and embody.
It was less about pressure and more about presence.
Less about technique and more about feeling.
🌴 External Reference: Jari Menari Spa School – Seminyak, Bali
What touched me most was the philosophy:
Massage isn’t just something you do — it’s something you become.
It’s an offering, a moment of devotion, a moving meditation between two souls.
Transformation Through Touch
Something shifted in me there.
I started realising that healing isn’t linear — it’s rhythmic.
Some days it’s gentle and fluid, others it’s deep and powerful.
The Balinese people move with such grace — every gesture, every smile, every bow feels intentional.
That same energy flowed into my hands as I practised the Jari Menari techniques.
Each movement became an act of presence.
Each breath became a reminder to slow down.
When I return to Adelaide, I will continue to bring that rhythm into my treatments — infusing it into my Kahuna Fusion and Lomi Lomi Fusion sessions.
I look forward to heading back to Bali in 2026 to continue my Esalen training over 4 weeks at Jari Menari, very excited for all that's to come.
Bringing more of what I love — a dance of healing, from Bali to Adelaide.
Beyond Technique
My time in Bali taught me that massage is both art and energy.
It’s not about how much pressure you apply; it’s about how much love you bring.
The Balinese way is deeply spiritual — each movement offered with gratitude and prayer.
They treat healing as a sacred responsibility, not just a service.
It reminded me why I started Hawaiian Fusion in the first place — to create something beautiful and unique that heals people and feels like home.
Bringing Bali Home
Back in Adelaide, I will continue to find new joy in blending the Balinese philosophy with the flowing techniques of Hawaiian bodywork.
The combination brings a new depth to my practice — a way to help clients not just release tension but reconnect with themselves.
Each massage session in Adelaide now holds a little of Bali’s serenity — the same energy that transformed me still flows through my hands, through my studio, through my clients.
🔗 Internal Links:
I often think back to that studio in Seminyak — open walls, warm air, and the smell of the ocean in the distance.
That’s where I realised that every massage is a story, every session a dance, and every touch a prayer.
Bali taught me the beauty of moving through life — and healing — with rhythm, grace, and heart.
And now, I get to share that feeling every day in Adelaide.
Through each treatment, through every breath, through every person who walks through my door.
🌺 Experience the flow — let’s dance with healing together.
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