From alternative medicine to ancient rituals, pay a visit to one of these Balinese healers for mind, body and spiritual healing in Bali.
One of the many wonderful things about Bali is its deep-rooted culture. And one aspect that has been publicised plenty over the years (thanks to Eat, Pray, Love) is the power of traditional Balinese healers, locally referred to as “Balian” (the facilitator of ancient healing techniques). For centuries, the Balinese have rejected western therapies and conventional medicine, instead curing physical and mental illness through holistic Balinese healing and ancient rituals.
From breathwork and meditation, to palm reading and spiritual healing, there are all sorts of methods and unique approaches for healing in Bali. To help you on your own journey, we tried-and tested the most popular traditional healers in Bali and the different types of healing techniques they practice. From ancient rituals performed by Balian, to energy realignment, Balinese massages, reiki, and meditation – we tried it all.
Please note: each person’s journey to healing is vastly different, so bring an open mind and a whole lotta respect. This is one cultural experience you simply must do in Bali.
Top 9 Traditional Healers In Bali
1. Pak Sirkus
Pak Sirkus is one of Bali’s most fabled Balinese healers. He is said to have performed miracles, and is aptly known as Bali’s Magic Man. He’s said to have healed broken bones, and instantly relieved extreme pain and tension within the body. Pak Sirkus uses a stick and his healing hands to locate, treat and alleviate physical problems within the body. He begins by applying pressure with his stick between the toes, with each pressure point relating to a different part of the body. When pain is detected, Pak Sirkus moves on to treating the problem, with different natural oils, pressure point massages, and localised stretching.
What to know before you go: Pak Sirkus is one of the most famous healers in Bali, so you’ll want to arrive early as he is always extremely busy and works without appointments or fixed prices. You’ll find him in his home on Jl Pantai Berawa. Treatments are often quite painful, but bearable. However, all serious injuries and ailments should be treated with care and caution. If in doubt, consult a doctor.
The price is by donation only, but we recommend at least IDR 500,000, depending on the treatment.
2. Sami at Bali Chy Healing
Sami at Bali Chy Healing is an Ayurvedic doctor, coach and spiritual practitioner that specialises in Balinese healing massages. Similar to a deep tissue massage, he uses intuitive and holistic diagnostics to identify parts of the body that are holding pain and tension. He combines reflexology, acupressure, cupping, Reiki, chakra-balancing and energy cleansing to eliminate bad energy and built up muscle tension. Later, he develops a treatment plan to fix any detected problems.
What to know before you go: You can book an appointment with Sami via the Bali Chy Healing website, with each session lasting for 75, 90 or 120 minutes at the Bali Chy Healing centre in Canggu. The treatment can be slightly painful (depending on what is happening in your body) but it is definitely tolerable. Sami also offers “melukat” water purification ceremonies too, if that’s something you’d like to experience during your visit (more on melukat below).
Prices vary depending on the duration of the session.
3. I Made Warmana
For those seeking profound, energetic healing in Bali, Made Warmana is a name you should know. In fact, he’s a bit of a legend in the Reiki world, often invited to host Reiki sessions at some of Bali’s best spas and resorts. As a professional Reiki healer, Made offers a deeply transformative experience that goes beyond the ordinary. Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation. It works by channelling energy to promote physical and emotional balance and harmony. Under Made’s skilled hands, many have found a renewed sense of peace and clarity, making his sessions a must for anyone serious about their wellness journey. He even offers seminars and training for those wanting to become a Reiki healer.
What to know before you go: Made Warmana offers both healing treatments, Reiki teacher training sessions and even rain stopping services. You can contact him via his website and visit his home clinic in Nusa Dua.
The price is determined by the duration of your session.
4. Ketut Arsana
Ketut Arsana opened the doors to his healing centre, Ubud Bodyworks Centre in 1987. Since then, he’s gained recognition both locally and internationally for his nature-based healing methods. As a Mahatma therapist, he uses a combination of Ayurveda and Bali Usadha, and tailors the treatments to your individual health and wellbeing. He begins with a consultation and body scan to determine the type of treatment you really need, before continuing with a number of different therapies, like acupuncture, acupressure, cupping, energy balancing, Chakra healing and chiropractic manipulation.
What to know before you go: Ketut Arsana offers his healing treatments at Om Ham Retreat & Resort, around 15 minutes from Ubud Bodyworks Centre. You can book your session through the centre’s website, and choose between the Buddha Kecapi Usada performed by Ketut, or the Soma Usada, which is a combination of Buddha Kecapi Usada and a lymphatic herbal scrub.
The Buddha Kecapi Usada is priced at IDR 1,050,000, and IDR 1,250,000 for Soma Usada.
5. Agus Sihman
Agus Sihman is the man with exceptionally long finger nails (they’re so long, they curl and twist around on themselves!). But his skill for palm reading is what makes him truly fascinating. First, he’ll sit you down and read your body, telling you things about yourself, before going on to read your palm. He explains anything he sees and asks you questions throughout, later offering guidance on everything from relationship advice to important life choices and positive changes.
What to know before you go: The readings take place within Agus Sihman’s colourful home in a beautiful garden setting. You’ll want to book before you go, and you can choose from a 30-minute palm reading only, to 3.5 hours of aura cleansing and a full body reading or a three-day ritual. Find the full range of offerings on his website, which includes a booking form and details on how to get to his Ubud wellness centre.
Prices vary depending on which package you choose.
6. Ida Ayu Citra Kusuma
Ida Ayu Citra (Dayu Citra) Kusuma is a renowned Balinese sound healer and tarot card reader. A session with Dayu Citra offers a journey into the depths of self-awareness and spiritual clarity. You can expect to experience specialist sound healing, using carefully chosen instruments like Tibetan sound bowls and crystals, to create vibrations that balance the mind, body and soul. It’s an ancient practice that realigns your Chakras and leaves you feeling deeply rejuvenated. Psst – Dayu Citra is also an expert in meditation, yoga, tai-chi, qi gong, and tarot readings.
What to know before you go: You can book a sound healing session with Dayu Citra at various spas by Karma Group across the island.
The price starts from IDR 950,000++ per person. Each session lasts between 60 to 75 minutes.
7. Pak Merta Ada at Bali Usada Health Meditation
Pak Merta Ada is a specialist in teaching you how to achieve health from the inside out. Having taught over 127,000 people from all over Indonesia, as well as in England, Germany and New Zealand since 1993, Pak Merta Ada is without doubt a master of mindfulness through meditation. At his meditation centre in Sanur, he teaches Bali Usada health meditation techniques – an integrative meditation to achieve a harmonious mind, which is believed to be able to heal various ailments.
What to know before you go: Pak Merta Ada and his team of instructors offer a number of wellness retreats and programs in his meditation centre (as well as online), in the heart of Sanur. The centre’s Joint Practice is open weekly to the public without any registration. If you’re looking to deepen your practice, you can also register to join the Meditation Programs which run per the centre’s calendar.
The price varies depending on which program you choose.
8. Kadek Sutarna
If you’re an Ubud regular, you’ve probably already met Kadek Sutarna at a number of festivals and markets. He is gifted with the ability to read an individual’s energetic connections, AKA body scanning, which he has developed from a young age. Through this method, he helps to improve your health, emotions and mental clarity. Depending on what you need, Kadek offers a number of services, including body scanning, healing consultations, spiritual advice, intuitive healing and water blessings too.
What to know before you go: You’ll find Kadek Sutarna in his home in Ubud, or making an appearance at special events from time to time. He provides one-on-one sessions, tailored to your needs and any concerns you might have. You can book your session through his Instagram.
The price is determined by the type of treatment you receive.
9. Pak Heru
Pak Heru is a traditional Indonesian healer specialising in “totok”, which is an acupressure technique rooted in Shaolin monk traditions. This non-invasive method focuses on stimulating the body’s meridian channels, which can promote natural, self-healing. Pak Heru operates in both Bali and Jakarta, and he addresses various ailments, including spinal cord injuries, strokes, heart problems, emotional imbalances, recovery post-chemotherapy, sports injuries, and more. His approach emphasises steady, progressive healing, with noticeable improvements often beginning after a few sessions. In Bali, appointments can be scheduled online, while in Jakarta, he offers walk-in services.
What to know before you go: As he divides his time between Bali and Jakarta, you can find Pak Heru at his Kerobokan centre, Akar Healing, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The price is IDR 350,000 per healing session with Pak Heru, which you can book directly on the Akar Healing website.
BONUS: Try a “Melukat” water healing ritual
If you’re looking for general rejuvenation or an improvement in health, head to one of Bali’s natural springs for a water healing ritual. Melukat is a Balinese water purification ritual that uses holy water from natural springs, which typically takes place within the grounds of certain temples (like Tirta Empul Temple in Gianyar). It is believed that washing the body with holy water can rid you of negative thoughts, nightmares and even illness. Sacred natural hot springs are also great for any skin concerns, and it’s an experience in itself – one that we highly recommend trying.
FAQs on traditional healing in Bali
What is traditional Balinese healing?
Traditional Balinese healing combines natural herbs, massage, energy work, and rituals to address physical, mental, and spiritual ailments, rooted in ancient wisdom.
What is Bali Usadha?
Bali Usadha is a practice indigenous to Bali, which Balinese healers use in their healing rituals. Bali Usadha combines herbal medicine, traditional massage techniques, and energy work to restore physical and spiritual balance. Practitioners of Bali Usadha often use locally sourced ingredients and time-honored techniques passed down through generations, addressing ailments ranging from muscle tension to spiritual dissonance. This integrative holistic approach not only alleviates physical discomfort, but also nurtures emotional well-being, fostering a deep connection with nature and ancestral Balinese wisdom.
What is a “Balian”?
A Balian is a traditional Balinese healer who serves as an intermediary between the physical and spiritual realms, utilising various methods to promote healing and balance.
Can anyone visit a Balinese healer?
Yes, both locals and tourists can seek the guidance of a Balian for various concerns, from physical discomforts to spiritual guidance.
How do I find a reputable Balinese healer?
Research and personal recommendations are key. Notable Balinese healers include Pak Sirkus, known for his work with bone-related issues, and establishments like Ubud Bodyworks Centre and Bali Chy Healing, helmed by experts in traditional healing.
What should I expect during a healing session in Bali?
Healing sessions in Bali vary depending on the type of healer you see, but they often involve diagnosis through physical examination or spiritual insight, followed by treatments like massage, herbal applications, or energy work.
Are there specific ailments that a Balian specialises in?
Some Balians focus on particular issues, such as bone setting or spiritual cleansing, while others offer more general healing services.
Is traditional Balinese healing effective?
Many individuals report positive experiences, finding relief and clarity through these ancient practices. However, it’s essential to approach with an open mind and consider them as a cultural experience and complementary to conventional medicine.
What other types of physical healing can I try in Bali?
Reflexology is a holistic therapy that focuses on specific pressure points on the feet, hands, and ears, believed to correspond with organs and body systems. By applying targeted pressure using skilled fingers and thumbs, reflexologists aim to stimulate circulation, reduce tension, and promote natural healing. This non-invasive practice is rooted in the idea that improving energy flow through reflex points can alleviate stress, relieve pain, and support overall well-being.
Acupressure is an ancient therapeutic technique derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine, using firm pressure on specific points along the body’s meridians (these are the pathways where your Qi energy flows). This non-invasive method helps to get your Qi moving freely, alleviating pain, reducing stress, and improving overall health. Acupressure practitioners apply pressure with their fingers, palms, or specialised tools to stimulate these points, encouraging the body’s natural healing processes. Acupressure is commonly used to manage headaches, muscle tension, and digestive issues, while also promoting relaxation and mental clarity.
Cupping is a traditional therapy that involves placing heated or suctioned cups on the skin to create a vacuum effect. This process helps increase blood circulation, relieve muscle tension, and promote detoxification by drawing stagnant blood to the surface. Cupping has been used in various cultures for centuries, and is believed to balance energy flow and support the body’s natural healing processes. The treatment can alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and enhance overall well-being.
What types of spiritual healing can I try in Bali?
Reiki is an energy-healing practice that originated in Japan, where a practitioner channels universal life energy through their hands into the recipient’s body. This gentle, non-invasive energy work aims to balance the body’s energy, reduce stress, and promote relaxation and healing. Reiki is used as a complementary therapy for a range of conditions, from chronic pain to anxiety, and is praised for its ability to enhance the body’s natural healing energy.
Chakra balancing is a holistic practice focused on aligning the seven energy centres (chakras) in the body. The seven chakras are: root chakra, sacral chakra, solar plexus or abdominal chakra, heart chakra, throat chakra, third eye chakra (at the space between your eyebrows), and crown chakra (located at the top of your head). In Hinduism and Buddhism, each chakra is believed to correspond to specific physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects, and imbalances can lead to stress or discomfort. A chakra-balancing session includes various techniques such as meditation, visualisation, sound healing, and even crystals to clear blockages and promote harmonious energy flow.
Aura and energy cleansing is an alternative, spiritual healing method aimed at purifying and revitalising the energetic field that surrounds the body. Practitioners use various tools such as smudging with sage or palo santo, crystal therapy, and gentle hands-on techniques to remove negative energy and blockages. The process is believed to restore balance, promote emotional clarity, and enhance overall well-being by refreshing one’s energy.
What are the most popular types of healing in Bali?
Sound healing is a method that harnesses the vibrational power of specific sound frequencies to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. During a session, practitioners use instruments like singing bowls, gongs, and tuning forks to create harmonious vibrations that resonate with the body’s energy centres. These sounds help to release tension, reduce stress, and balance the chakras, leading to deep relaxation and healing.
Meditation and breathwork are powerful practices that cultivate mindfulness, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being. Meditation involves calming the mind to achieve a state of inner balance. Breathwork complements this by using conscious, intentional breathing techniques to release tension, clear the mind, and restore energy flow. Together, meditation and breathwork helps individuals connect with their inner selves, improve emotional regulation, and promote mental clarity.
Ayurveda is rooted in ancient Indian wellness traditions, focusing on balancing the body, mind, and spirit through natural remedies and lifestyle practices. This holistic approach involves personalised therapies such as herbal medicine, massage, dietary adjustments, and detoxification routines like Panchakarma. Ayurveda emphasises understanding an individual’s unique constitution (known as “dosha”) to tailor treatments that restore balance and promote health. These treatments can improve digestion, boost immunity, and reduce stress by harmonising the body’s energies.
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