11. Four Hands

It was hard to leave the daily rhythm of the yoga retreat at Soulshine Bali Hotel.  What an an incredible and transformative experience it was to meet the group of women that were there and practice yoga next to them as we gazed out into the rice fields.  I look forward to reconnecting with them next year in another little corner of the world.  There was talk of Machu Picchu in Peru, so we’ll see how that shapes up in the many days between now and then.  For now, I’m focusing on the mind-boggling sunset view from the Four Seasons at Jimbaran Bay.  I checked in a couple of hours ago and am going to enjoy immersing myself in the luxury of this oceanfront resort — especially in the spa.  After twelve days of shooting in China and on this island, it’s time to temporarily put my camera away and get some much needed rest.  I ache everywhere, and my body is in need of some serious care.  Another guest told me the massage I’m about to get will almost make me levitate off of the table.  I’m OK with that…  “Mrs. Breeton,” a small Balinese woman says as she enters the changing room.  “Yes,” I say, not correcting the “Mrs.” part.  “Please follow me.”  In a room down the hall, two women are waiting.  I’m greeted with warm smiles and soft lighting.  The back wall is glass, and through it I see a lovely garden outside under the stars.  One of the women shows me an array of massage oils and asks me which scent I prefer.  I pick one that is a blend of sandalwood and flower blossoms.  It has the most sensuous aroma, which fits my mood tonight.  “We will start facedown, so please, take off your robe.  We’ll be back.”  I lie facedown on the table.  My head rests in a donut-shaped hole, and I see a pretty bowl of flowers directly below me.  The two women re-enter the room and dim the lights a bit more.  I can feel one pair of hands start to massage my shoulders while another pair starts massaging my feet.  The two women work in unison applying equal pressure in a rhythmic motion to my very tired and aching body.  I close my eyes and smile to myself knowing that I have 75 minutes to experience this sensuality and pleasure.  The resort calls this the “Harmony” massage.  I call it intoxicatingly divine…  I can feel the softness of their hands as they start applying long strokes down my back and up my legs, simultaneously meeting in the middle of my body.  All four hands apply pressure to my lower spine, and then their hands go back to my shoulders and feet.  This pattern is repeated many, many times, taking me to a deeper level of relaxation.  Will I even be able to walk back to my villa after this?   I’m about ten minutes in, and I can already feel my body surrendering to their touch.  I like the way they are soothing me and…  Wait…  They’re changing their technique.  The women now stand next to each other and massage one side of my body.  It’s heavenly…  They take their time on my right side before slowly moving their hands to my left side.  Seriously…  I’m never leaving this room…  “Pressure OK for you?”  “Uh-huh,”my mouth mumbles.  “Good.  We take good care of you.”  Yes…  You sure do…  For what seems like an eternity, I completely surrender my body to these women and allow them to massage my entire backside.  It releases everything that the last two weeks of travel, shooting and “yogaing” have imbedded in me.  With every stroke of their hands, my tense, sore muscles relax more.  I do feel like I’m levitating.  This has got to be the most incredible massage I’ve ever had…  I feel myself relaxing more and getting drowsy…  I open my eyes a little bit and look at the flowers.  Don’t go to sleep…  You’ll want to remember this…  “Time to rollover, Miss.”  Uh-oh, not yet…  The halfway point…  I slowly roll over and one of the women places a mask over my eyes.  The four hands start their work again.  I can feel each of my toes getting a mini-massage while my chest and stomach are being worked.  Heaven again…  I’m certain I won’t be able to walk back to my room when they are done.  “Feel good, Mrs. Breetun?”  I groan quietly.  I can’t even form a sentence right now…  I lie still and absorb every ounce of energy that these women pour into my body.  They apply strong, sensuous strokes to my arms and legs for what feels like hours, although I’ve lost all concept of time.  Who cares?  I’m never leaving here…  The Balinese pride themselves on the art of massage, and now I see why.  This is truly an exceptional art form…  “Sit up, please.”  “Huh?”  “Sit up please, Mrs. Breeton.”  I groggily do as I’m told, and one of the women moves behind me to massage my back and shoulders again.  I’m nearly over the edge in self indulgence when the second woman offers me a cup of something sweet to drink.  “It will make you sleepy.”  I sip it even though I don’t think I’ve ever been sleepier in my life.  I focus on being vertical and try to gather myself.  I’m really out of it …  Wow...  It feels nice…  I notice that the aroma in the room has shifted and now smells like the oil on my skin.  “All done, Mrs. Breeton.  You like?”  I make eye contact with one of the women and see her warm brown eyes smiling at me.  Or maybe she’s smiling at my bedhead.  “Yes, I liked it very much.  Thank you.  That was the best massage I’ve ever had.”  “You stay for another treatment?”  “No, it’s time to go to bed and sleep for a very long time.  Will you call for a buggy, please?”