A review of the healing treatments and plant-based menu at Fivelements, Bali
With the announcement that Fivelements will be opening its first Fivelements Habitat, a new urban retreat in Causeway Bay this summer, we headed to the original award-winning wellness retreat in Bali to experience some of its diverse offerings: plant-based cuisine, holistic health and natural spa treatments, and sacred arts.
The consult
Prior to my visit, I consulted with Fivelements’ wellness curator about the different experiences available at the retreat, which ranged from culinary retreats to healing journeys. We settled on an “emotional detox” in order to prepare for the new year.
See also: 7 Healthy Eating Havens In Bali
Healing treatments
During my two-day stay at Fivelements Bali, I experienced three healing treatments: the Panca Mahabhuta, reiki session and fire blessing ritual. Note: it's not recommended to do all of your healing treatments in one day, so mine were spread out during my stay.
Panca Mahabhuta
On the first day, I experienced a traditional healing treatment (Panca Mahabhuta) with Balinese healer Pak Wayan, whose aim was to balance the five elements (water, air, fire, earth and space) in the body.
Coming from a family of healers, Wayan started the session with a prayer and chanted some mantras while I began to relax. Moving his hands over my body, he checked my chakras and immediately set about clearing the blockages—mental, emotional and physical—by pressing lightly on different parts of my body.
Word of warning: if you suffer from blockages, this treatment can be quite painful especially on the feet. After the treatment, Pak Wayan told me to meditate more (to slow down my mind) and to eat more fruit and vegetables.