Karangasem, On the Wallace Line

Acupuncture at Ashram Gandhi Çanti Dasa

Spending a holiday at Candi Dasa tourist resort in Eastern Bali? Just drop in at Ashram Gandhi Çanti Dasa located at Candidasa Beachside. This ashram (hermitage) was established around 1976 and applies life principles of Mahatma Gandhi. It’s 64 km from Denpasar or 12 km from Amlapura, the capital of Karangasem Regency.

On entering the ashram, you will be welcomed by fresh air with modest building and still reflects the Balinese traditional style. The building is roofed with roof-tile, its walls are embellished with photographs of Mahatma Gandhi and peace messages are displayed in apple-pie-order.
There, I Nyoman Sadra will welcome you friendly. He is an acupuncturist who combines it with Balinese traditional healing. And according to him, he was interested to learn about this healing since 1978.
It is said that Naturo Cure healing system is nearly the same as that of Balinese traditional healing. The Balinese system applies the concept of Nawa Sanga, in which the acupuncture employs the term U-Sing. It is a treatment that utilizes five natural elements, namely wood, fire, earth, metal and water. For instance, healing by water can cure illness on account of obesity.
As an acupuncturist at Ashram Gandhi, he had ever learned in India. Sadra has learned about healing system called Naturopathy or Naturo Cure in this country. Aspects of this healing comprise massage, acupuncture, yoga and food restriction (diet), and the use of water and herbal medicine. “The use of chemical medicine is not recommended here,” he said to Bali Travel News.
Patients who come to this ashram are not only the locals of Bali but also foreign tourists that happen to stay at the vicinity of Candi Dasa. Treatment is performed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 11:00 to 16:00.
Prior to executing treatment by acupuncture, first of all, Sadra asks about the complaints of his patient. This will make him easier to ‘insert’ needles at specific points. These needles have been sterilized in advance by means of alcohol.
Sadra also often goes to see his patients intentionally, especially for severe case. “Many patients are from Tenganan Village who are unable to come here as they suffer from paralysis. So, I will come to their house lending a hand for their recovery,” uttered Sadra who at all times does his profession up to 21:00 Local Time. (BTN/033)