Like many aspects of Balinese culture, Balinese massage is a fusion of traditions. In this case it’s the  Ayurvedic practices brought by Indian traders combined with the Buddhist theories of Chinese traders and the opulent traditions of the  Javanese courts. This has produced a  massage which combines  pressure and long strokes on the back, legs and feet with gentler massage of the hands, arms and face,  delivered primarily by the therapist’s fingers and thumbs. The result is a massage that can be both energising and relaxing at the same time.