Issue link: http://www.bodysensemagazinedigital.com/i/381994
Wellness x 2 Is Couples' Massage for You? By Leslie A. Young 10 Body Sense Since my first session more than 20 years ago, massage has been my secret escape—a chance to check out, regroup, focus on me, and reconnect with my body. A wonderfully healthy, insightful retreat. This summer, my boyfriend and I went on an Indonesian vacation. Brad's a relative newcomer to massage therapy, but with his blessing, I booked massage sessions at a highly recommended spa in Bali. We figured a wellness break would be a great way to spend a hot, humid afternoon. Bodywork is widely available in Bali, and the therapists pride themselves on their own specialized modalities and oils that source local ingredients. In America, hot stone is one of my favorites, so I booked the Balinese version for 90 minutes each. We couldn't wait to get to the spa and experience it for ourselves. Imagine my surprise when I realized that— thanks to a language challenge—we were booked for a couples' massage in the same room. Yikes! But I'm a trooper when I travel and so is Brad, so we decided to just go with it. He actually seemed relieved. Our therapists stepped forward and introduced themselves. They treated us to footbaths, no doubt to save themselves from our hot, tired dogs. We each chose massage oil infused with fresh ginger for our session. They escorted us into the treatment room. I was still trying to get my mind around this couples thing. The space was roomy and decorated with Hindu art, typical of the country. They excused themselves as we undressed in the relaxing surroundings and settled in under our respective sheets. The lighting, tables, and temperature were perfect. We talked for a