Popularised by the Eat Pray Love movie, spiritual healing became a bucket list thing to do in Bali for tourists.
Meanwhile, locals have been skipping hospitals to visit a Balian in the village for anything, from treating severe illness to deciding on a future husband, for centuries, leaning heavily into the ancient wisdom. Visiting a priest or a healer is one of the central parts of Balinese culture.
There are more than 8,000 traditional Balinese healers on the island, which one should you choose? Let’s find out.
Important Things About Spiritual Healing Sessions Upfront
- For local people common requests are tied with curing physical illnesses and rehabilitation, mostly, but it is more common for foreigners to address burnout, stress, difficult decisions in life, and, as well, stubborn pain from old injuries.
- The session lasts from 1.5 hrs to a few hours as it is all very individual.
- Usually, the sessions are walk-ins only and donation-based but some healers in Bali are more business-oriented and will have a site with a booking form, and a fixed payment for each service.
- While the dress-code is not enforced, dress respectfully with your shoulders and leg covered. You can wrap a sarong around your waist and use the temple scarf as a belt. No bikinis.
- Many healers do not have a private room so all the sessions are “public”. Upscale healing centres offer more privacy.
- If you want to visit the iconic healer from the Eat Pray Love movie, Cokorda Rai, be advised that he passed away in 2021. However, his son continues his work.
Who Are Traditional Balinese Healers?
A healer possesses spiritual abilities, which are generally inherited through lineage or acquired through a sacred item.
They can treat physical and mental illness, perform spiritual cleansing, remove any black magic, and give you answers to some of the most important questions.
Many people report “miracles” like regained ability to move freely, some only return with a renewed sense of peace, purpose, and cleansed from any bad energy.
There are different “types” of traditional healers in Bali known as Balian Ketakson, Balian Kapaica, Balian Campuhan, and Balian Usada.
The type of Balinese healer will determine what tools and ancient rituals they are using. Some work with energy, some use traditional herbs, many incorporate deep tissue massage variations and different ways to work with the body, and many are energy healers, working solely with your mind.
Besides Balians, many locals visit priests (jero) with their mental or physical problems.
Balian Ketakson
Balian Ketakson usually heal by reciting prayers and entering a spiritual trance, believed to be possessed by Ista Dewata (ancestral spirits or deities), in order to read and diagnose the patient’s illness or imbalance.
That divine knowledge helps them to work with spiritual ailments, negative energy, and physical and mental illness.
Balian Kapaica (Balian Pica)
Balian Kapaica typically use mystical objects for healing such as kris daggers, gemstones, or plants as healing mediums, which are rare and not easily found by others.
They may receive guidance through dreams or discover something unique when visiting sacred sites.
Balian Usada
Balian Usada are healers who study ancient lontar manuscripts (Hindu palm-leaf ancient scriptures) and inherit traditional herbal medical knowledge passed down through generations or receive divine inspiration as a result of a serious illness.
Their treatments generally involve concoctions made from natural herbs found around us. These drinks are commonly called “loloh,” which are believed to cure many illnesses.
In addition to loloh, they also use medicinal oils. These oils are traditionally prepared using virgin coconut oil, known locally in Bali as “lengis tanusan,” combined with roots or flowers depending on the patient’s needs.
Balian Campuhan
Balian Campuhan are healers who possess all three elements: inherited spiritual ability (ketakson), sacred objects (kapaica), and knowledge from lontar manuscripts.
They combine all these aspects to maximise their healing practice and treat various ailments. Some say they hear voices, too.
We’ve heard an opinion that this type of Balinese healer may have too many one-on-one sessions scheduled per day, making the most of the business side of the traditional Balinese healing.
There are more types of Balians that people call for when they need something specific, from getting rid of rain clouds (Balian Terang) to helping with delivering a baby (Balian Manak), or even a Bali bone healer – Balian Tulang.
13 Best Traditional Healers In Bali To Try Balinese Healing
Jero Mangku Geni, Mengwi
Jero Mangku Geni is a priest and a Balinese spiritual healer with lots of happy patients.
His specialty is fortune telling, spiritual cleansing, and energy healing with elements of meditation. Geni also offers classes and purification ceremonies and he is usually booked out a few months in advance.
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Kapal No.84, Kapal, Kec. Mengwi, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80351, Indonesia
Online: Instagram
Pak Sirkus (I Wayan Sudra), Canggu
Cs, aka Pak Man, is a traditional massage healer (Balian Pijat/Urut). He is located in Tibubeneng, Canggu. There is no reservation system, first-come, first-served, so patients must wait on-site.
He can help with a variety of issues from sprains to menstrual abdominal pain. His diagnosis and treatment plan is simple: he uses sharp sticks, massages, and natural oils.
Pak Sirkus does not set a fixed fee for treatment.
It is a good practice to bring a canang (Balinese offering) and present it to the healer before the massage begins with some money called “sesari” placed on top. 100,000-500,000 IDR (10-50 AUD) is a good amount to pay.
Where Is It? 84RW+3Q3, Tibubeneng, Kuta Utara, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Jro Apuan Dalem Puri (Jro Mangku Sudarsana), Karangasem
Jro Mangku Apuan is known as a bone-setting healer (Balian Patah Tulang). He is located on Jalan Raya Menanga, Besakih, Karangasem, Bali.
Locals who suffered sports injuries or fractures in an accident often opt out of expensive surgeries and long recoveries in favour of this healer who can help with extreme pain and broken bones.
He has an X-ray scanning device to assess the bone condition. The treatment technique may simply involve applying natural oil and “boreh” on the injured part of the body.
Boreh is a traditional herbal paste made from several types of leaves and roots that are pounded together and applied to the injured part of the body that nowadays you can even find it in some spas!
Locals believe that the healing power of a Balian Ketakson given to them by Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (God) and the power of nature can heal an illness as severe as spine fractures.
As for the fee, there is no specific fixed rate, everyone pays what they can. Usually, the more serious the condition is, the more money you should offer as a donation.
Ketut Arsana, Ubud Bodywork Centre, Ubud
Ketut Arsana works at Ubud Bodywork Centre located on Jalan Hanoman No. 25, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali.
Ketut often treats people who need to recover from major injuries and relearn how to walk or do everyday things.
The therapy techniques include massage and special movement exercises you will have to do daily at home, as well as cupping, chakra work, acupuncture, or acupressure.
Ketut Arsana owns a spa and also an ashram for meditation. Even if you are not interested in healing sessions, you can join his yoga classes.
Where Is It? Jl. Hanoman No.25, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Cuing Ped, Ida Bagus Made Arjawa, Gianyar
Commonly known as Jro Cuing Ped, this famous healer among locals is located on Jalan Kresna Bona, Blahbatuh, Gianyar, Bali.
He is well-known for reportedly treating up to 700 patients in a single day. His treatment methods are widely shared on social media.
He is considered a Balian Campuhan and claims that he can heal any disease, including those that doctors have given up on.
Where Is It? C8Q8+QVW, Jl. Kresna, Bona, Kec. Blahbatuh, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80581, Indonesia
Sami, Bali Chy Healing, Dalung
Sami is an incredible Ayurvedic doctor, reflexology, acupressure, cupping, and Reiki practitioner.
Through Bali Chy Healing you can book 75, 90 or 120-minute sessions and based on your needs, the treatment plan may include intuitive massage, energy cleansing, and other holistic methods.
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Padonan No.557, Tibubeneng, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Pak Merta Ada, Bali Usada Health Meditation, Sanur
The main focus of the whole Bali Usada Centre is meditation and yoga as tools for being healthy.
The centre was started by Pak Merta Ada and he is still giving classes till today. They offer one-day classes and continued support for your own practice.
Where Is It? Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai No.328, Sanur, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80228, Indonesia
Jero Balian Mangku I Wayan Sumawijaya, Near Ubud/Gianyar
Working since 1964, pak Wayan Suma Wijaya has gained an incredible reputation to be one of the best Balinese healers to work with non-medical problems, that are most often results of spells and black magic.
If something feels wrong, but doctors can’t find a reason, he claims he will!
Where Is It? Jalan Kenanga III No.mor 11, Banjar Sigaran, Mekar Bhuwana, Kec. Abiansemal, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80352, Indonesia
Online: Instagram
Ida Ayu Citra Kusuma, Ungasan
Dayu Citra is a well-known sound and energy healer.
She works one-on-one privately and through Karma Group hotels’ spa. Her tools are as unique as her clients: Reiki, Qi Gong, tarot cards, or even yoga asanas.
Her sessions are one of the most expensive on the island, about 1,500,000 IDR (150 AUD) before taxes for one hour.
Where Is It? Jalan Villa Kandara Banjar Wijaya Kusuma, Ungasan, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80362, Indonesia
Online: Instagram
Kadek Sutarna, Bali Sacred Journey, Ubud
Kadek Sutarna welcomes patients in his house, located on Jalan Raya Ubud, Bali. His forte is intuitive healing and body reading (scanning).
He is known for reading a person’s energy, identifying suitable career paths, suggesting compatible life partners, water blessings, or assisting anyone who feels spiritually blocked and wishes to perform a purification ritual called “melukat.”
Treatment fees will be discussed in advance depending on what you need.
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Lungsiakan No.2, Kedewatan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Made Lunas, Ubud
Made Lunas is what you call an intuitive traditional Balinese healer.
It means he mainly works with your energy flow, does a full body reading to find anything that’s wrong, can perform chakra balancing, and do any other necessary energy work to restore balance within.
His sessions last about 45 minutes and cost 500,000 IDR (50 AUD) per person.
Online: Made Lunas Spiritual Healer
Pak Heru, Akar Healing, Umalas
At Akar Healing centre, you can meet with Pak Heru, known for mastering a unique Shaolin acupressure technique called totok.
It is believed to help with all sorts of ailments, from diabetes and spine injuries to autism, stress, or even recovery from chemotherapy.
Where Is It? Jl. Tegal Cupek No.22, Kerobokan, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Agus Sihman, Ubud
Agus Sihman is probably the most famous palm reading specialist in Bali!
As a psychic, he can do energy cleansing, give you life coaching advice, check (and clean) your aura, and much more.
If you feel stuck in business or love, he’s got you. Prices start from 300,000 IDR (30 AUD).
Where Is It? Pondok Intan Asri Blok A No. 21, Banjar Aseman, Jl. Ratih, Sedang, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80352, Indonesia
Tips For Foreigners Visiting Bali Healers
- Be clear about what you need. Healers can be creative and sidetracked by their visions so you have to make sure your request is very clear. If you don’t speak Indonesian or Balinese, bring a local friend to help you translate.
- Bring an offering and some money to pay your respects. If you feel the need to, pray, even if it is in your own religious tradition.
- Have faith that what you desire can be realised and visit Balinese healers with an open mind and heart. No negative thoughts. Many locals believe that success in a healing session also lies in the power of your own mind.
- Most healers and priests will not accept women during menstruation.
Final Thoughts On Traditional Healers, Bali
Visiting a healer in Bali is more than just a hype, it is a part of exploring the real Balinese culture and beliefs.
Whether you are just curious or willing to try alternative methods to deal with your mental or physical problems, Bali is probably the best place on Earth to dive into spiritual and traditional healing.
