“As I lie in the dimly lit room, and the therapist presses a point on my forehead, I feel an excruciating pain…every point she presses on my face, the pain is unbearable, though she keeps checking if the pressure is okay. I did not know there was so much pain buried in my face…the session continues for about 2 hours for face and body…after which I go home and have a bath and go to sleep. I have not slept like this for ages…and the next morning when I get up…I feel very hungry.”
This was my first Totok Aura experience, which changed my clinical perception of Acupressure or Totok. I had heard a lot about this magical treatment which gives a natural facelift after four sessions if done on the face, and if done on the body, it re-energizes all the body systems, digestion, blood circulation, metabolism, and in some cases ovarian cysts, cervical cancer, Parkinson’s disease and others have been reported as improved. In some cases women who could not conceive were successful with conception after 4-6 sessions of body Totok.
Dian, the charming owner of Dian Kenanga salon, synonymous with “Totok Aura” is a celebrity herself. She coined the term Totok Aura for her special brand of treatment and has been featured in several publications and TV shows. Her salon reception regularly has ten people waiting for their turns. Dian is the best and most well-known place for Totok treatment and if Dian herself is doing it, she charges $100 for a session (very expensive by Indonesian standards). The salon is full of celebrities and television personalities wanting to enhance their aura so they can work their charisma on the masses. Yati, one of the regular customers says, “I have been coming here for the last five years and Dian is the best. The treatment here is the most complete and authentic, and every Totok session makes me feel 10 years younger!”
In Indonesia, every salon and spa has “Totok or Acupressure” on its menu and it is an integral part of all facial treatments. But what is Totok Aura? Dian says, “Totok is actually the Indonesian word for Acupressure, which is an ancient Chinese healing technique that taps the bio energy – the life force of the body to aid healing through stimulating the pressure points. When these trigger points are pressed, they release muscular tension, and promote circulation of blood, and the body’s life force energy to aid healing. Additionally, the pranic technique – a special breathing technique used by the therapist, also helps the user to get rid of all negativity.”
“In this treatment we use finger pressure on several of the main acupuncture points such as face, chest, back bone and arms. There are 12 main pathways called meridians to harmonize the body’s metabolism and release pain that causes insomnia, headache, vertigo and stress. Aura comes from the Greek word that stands for energy of happiness. Aura can also signify an energy field surrounding the body and exhibits signs of physical disease before the body itself exhibits either a sign or disease. The energy is also known as Chi or prana. Each living thing has a life energy field which extends beyond the surface of the body and generates an aura. When the body is balanced, its energy field will be highly charged and active,” she adds.
Totok Aura for the face is acupressure as a beauty treatment. It uses potent points to improve skin condition and tone and relax the facial muscles, which can lessen the appearance of wrinkles without drugs. Acupressure’s healing touch reduces tension, increases circulation, and enables the body to relax deeply. By relieving stress, acupressure therapy strengthens resistance to disease and promotes wellness.
Dr Yustitia, a practicing acupuncture doctor in the RS Bhakti Mulia hospital says, “Acupuncture and acupressure use the same pressure points and meridians, but acupuncture employs needles, while acupressure uses gentle to firm pressure. But the results are the same. Acupuncture is very effective for facial paralysis. Most of my clients are either paralysis patients or those who come for purely aesthetic purposes. But one session is not enough; it has to be done regularly for the results to show.”
“In this treatment we use finger pressure on several of the main acupuncture points such as face, chest, back bone and arms.”
In acupressure, local symptoms are considered an expression of the condition of the body as a whole. A tension headache, for instance, may be rooted in the shoulder and neck area. Thus acupressure focuses on relieving pain and discomfort, as well as on responding to tension before it develops into a “disease” that is, before the constrictions and imbalances can do further damage.
An acupressure point actually has two identities and ways of working. When stimulating a point in the same area where you feel pain or tension, it’s called a local point. That same point can also relieve pain in a part of the body that is distant from the point, in which case it is called a trigger point. This triggering mechanism works through a human electrical channel called a meridian. The meridians are pathways that connect the acupressure points to each other as well as to the internal organs. Just as blood vessels carry the blood that nourishes the body physically, the meridians are distinct channels that circulate electrical energy throughout the body. They are thought to be part of a master communications system of universal life energy, connecting the organs with all sensory, physiological, and emotional aspects of the body. This physical network of energy also contains key points that we can use to deepen our spiritual awareness as we heal ourselves.
Because the stimulation of one point can send a healing message to other parts of the body, each acupressure point can benefit a variety of complaints and symptoms. The highly effective acupressure point in the webbing between your thumb and index finger, for instance, is not only beneficial for relieving arthritic pain in the hand, but also benefits the colon and relieves problems in the facial area and the head, including headaches, toothaches, and sinus problems.
How does Totok help in cleansing the aura? “The healing benefits of acupressure involve both the relaxation of the body and its positive effects on the mind. As tension is released, you not only feel good physically, but you also feel better emotionally and mentally. When your body relaxes, your mind relaxes as well, creating another state of consciousness. This expanded awareness leads to mental clarity and a healthier physical and emotional healing, dissolving the division between the mind and body,” elaborates Dian.
One of the indirect effects of Totok is that it can also help in losing weight. Dian says, “If you take a package of 12 sessions over a period of 24 days, you can lose up to 6 pounds, but the diet and lifestyle also have to supplement the Totok sessions.”
How can aura cleaning be measured? “One of the magazines conducted research to measure the effect of Totok on aura through the aura photography technique and they found dramatic results. But for the skeptics I would like to say that the proof of the pudding is in the eating. I have clients who have been coming regularly for many years,” she adds.
Advantages of Totok
Aura Totok or acupressure has no side effects. You can do it yourself. But for best results, it is best to go to a professional.
- Face Acupressure Improves blood circulation
- Balances hormonal metabolism
- Eases tension/stress
- Reduces wrinkles and firms facial
- skin Reduces sebum/oil on the facial skin
- Minimizes myopia (near-sighted eye problem) and sinusitis
- Eases sleeping problems (insomnia)
- Relieves headache, migraine and vertigo
Body Acupressure
- Improves blood circulation
- Improves body metabolism
- Improves relaxation of body muscles
- due to tension, stress and fatigue
- Relieves pain due to rheumatism, back pain and bone sore
- Reduces excess body fat
- Minimizes insomnia problems
- Improves quality of sleep
