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While many scientists dismiss alternative medical practices, this natural approach has continued to gain popularity over the last couple of decades and is now accepted by many general practitioners as a beneficial complement to conventional care.

The philosophy of holistic health emphasizes that a person’s wellbeing depends on taking care of their physical, mental and spiritual needs.

The Tirtayu Healing Center in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, is just one of the institutions in Jakarta that takes a holistic approach to health. In order to spread the message of holistic health and make its practices more accessible to the public, Tirtayu plans to hold the Healing Festival from May 6 to 8.

During the three-day event, workshops, lectures, classes and consultations will be offered to participants, with a focus on people aged 40 and above. The topics will cover health issues ranging from menopause to respiratory illness. Cooking classes will also be conducted to introduce participants to a range of nutritional options to promote wellness.

National experts such as Reza Gunawan, Ines Somellera and Rina Poerwadi will be on hand at the event to answer questions.

“The hassle of our megapolitan lifestyles has reduced the quality of our daily lives,” said Ati Setyono, an operational manager at Tirtayu. “We can see the effects of this around us all the time: our neighbors are stressed, our relatives have strokes at the age of 30.”

With the Healing Festival, Ati said, Tirtayu aims to show the public ways of reducing stress levels and how to bring their bodies back into balance.

Having opened its doors in October, Tirtayu is a relatively new kid on the block.

The three-story building not only serves as a medical center, housing a pediatrician, a neurologist, a general practitioner and a dentist, but also features several spacious rooms designed for complementary medical treatments.

On the ground floor, an indoor pool is used for aquatic therapy.

“This therapy is good for people who need to enhance their blood circulation,” Ati said. “It also relaxes your muscles and improves body stability.”

The main benefit of aquatic therapy is that the buoyancy provided by the water helps to support the weight of the patient, putting less pressure on the joints. That is why aquatic therapy is also used for patients who suffer from arthritis, or who are recovering from bone fractures.

The second room on the ground floor is dedicated to reflexology and massage treatments. Ati said they were also planning to open a cafe in the lobby with a menu of healthy meals.

A stairway leads to the sun-flooded second floor, where one can find a yoga room, which often doubles as a function room.

“So far, we have three regular yoga classes,” Ati said. “They are especially popular with Westerners.”

In addition to the yoga room, there is an open space used for physiotherapy.

“We have rehabilitation programs, for example for people who have had a stroke,” Ati said, adding that many people don’t understand the concept of holistic healing yet.

“They think it’s just a clinic,” she said, “but with our holistic approach, and the extra rooms we have for yoga, pilates and reflexology, and our therapy programs, Tirtayu is more than just a clinic.”

Healing Festival
May 6 to 8, from 7 a.m.
Tirtayu Healing Center
Jl. Senopati No. 20,
Kebayoran Baru,
South Jakarta
Tel. 021 7280 0343