Hot Stone Massage
Practical Training DVD & Manual
ORIGINS
Massage is
perhaps the oldest form of hands-on-healing known to humans, easily
pre-dating written records. For millennia, people from virtually every
culture have used a combination of touch, heat (thermotherapy) and
stones as therapeutic tools.
The three main cultures which
have heavily influced how modern-day Hot Stone Massage/Stone Therapy
has evolved are the Chinese, the Native Americans and the Hawaiians
(although Egyptian, Ayurvedic and many other traditional healing arts
are also said to have used stones and/or heat).
One
of the first recorded uses of stones for healing was by Ancient Chinese
medical practitioners who regularly used various shaped/sharpened
stones (Bian Stones) to treat disease. The use of Moxabustion (buring
of the herb mugwort) helped to add heat to these treatments.
Native
Americans are well known for their Sweat Lodges, which are similar to
modern-day Saunas. The use of heated stones on the lower abdomen to
relieve cramps was another common Native American practice.
Most
therapists who incorporate hot stones into their massage routine agree
that the Hawaiians had a major part to play in how this form of massage
is applied today. This is particularly true for Hahana Stone Massage.
Customary uses included wrapping hot stones in leaves with certain
therapeutic properties (ti leaves) and placing on sore muscles to
reduce pain – like using a heat pack or poultice.
Hot stones
were also placed in shallow pits and covered with these same leaves,
with the patient then laying on top of the leaves to allow the healing
properties to infuse into the body. Volcanic stones are also said to
have been rubbed over the body after a traditional Hawaiian
Kahuna/Lomi-Lomi massage – perhaps less of a massage technique and more
of an exfoliation, due to the coarseness of the volcanic stones used.
The Hawaiians are still one of the most closely linked cultures to
modern-day Hot Stone Massage and Stone Therapy.
Modern-day
Hot Stone Massage/Stone Therapy, a truly unique style of massage, has
been gaining popularity through-out the world after being
‘re-discovered’ in the United States in 1993. The story is that a
massage therapist, named Mary Nelson, who was suffering from repetitive
use injuries in the shoulders/wrists, was having a sauna with her niece
and was ‘called’ to the stones. Mary picked up some of the hot stones
and started massaging her niece with them – it felt great (for the
client as well as the therapist) and thus Stone Therapy’s reawakening
occurred.
The first style of modern-day Hot Stone Massage/Stone Therapy was/is
called ‘LaStone Therapy’.
Practically
every Spa in Europe and America offers Hot Stone Massage or Stone
Therapy on their menu, with Australia quickly following suit. The
number of different styles however, is almost as varied as the stones
themselves.
A
modern-day Hot Stone Massage (sometimes called Hot Rocks Massage) will
usually consist of the therapist placing heated stones (usually basalt)
of various shapes/sizes onto the client’s body (for safety, most of the
time these ‘placement’ stones won’t be in direct contact with the skin,
instead they will be placed onto a towel to buffer the heat). These
stones are placed onto different points (chakras, energy points, sore
muscles, etc), depending on the style of Hot Stone Massage or Stone
Therapy.
Whilst
these placement stones are warming and activating specific areas, the
therapist will take several other heated stones and begin massaging a
different area of the body. The heat from the stones is released deep
into the muscles, greatly enhancing the massage. It is said that one
stroke with a heated stone is equivalent to ten normal massage strokes!
Some
therapists also incorporate cold stones (usually marble) into
their treatment which, although not quite as relaxing as the heated
stones, do have a part to play for many conditions. A typical Hot Stone
Massage will take 60 to 90 minutes.
Most
people who have a Hot Stone Massage will be ‘blown away’ by the level
of relaxation that is achieved. Some clients will have vivid dreams or
even ‘out-of-body’ experiences. It is usually a very grounding,
relaxing and healing experience. Apart form the deep level of
relaxation, Hot Stone Massage is also great to incorporate into
Remedial or Deep Tissue massage. Not only does the client receive the
benefits, but when practiced correctly, the therapist will reduce the
strain placed on their hands and wrists.
As
with all forms of massage, it is important that therapists undertake
professional Hot Stone Massage training. Check with the Spa, Salon or
therapist before your treatment to ensure you are getting the best
massage from the most qualified therapist.
For
international customers (outside of Australia), the
Hahana Stone Massage Training DVD
and Manual can be
purchased securely online by clicking
the 'Buy
Now' button
below.
Alternately, Australian
customers can purchase the Hahana Stone
Massage Training
DVD
and Manual through our
Online Store: purchase Hot Stone Massage DVD and Manual.
Also available is the Hahana
Stone Massage, double-CD soundtrack - "A State of
Being...". Two hours of soothing and relaxing soundscapes, chosen for
both client and therapist enjoyment. Suitable for all Spa, Beauty and
Massage treatments.
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