Hot Stone MassageIs hot stone massage new? It is said that hot stones were used in massage in ancient times but it wasn’t until Arizona massage therapist Mary Nelson introduced her hot stone massage technique, called LaStone Therapy, that the use of hot stones for massage caught on.
It is a simple but effective principle, to apply hot stones to the muscles prior to massage and the direct heat will soften the muscles and so make them more pliable for massage. Heat increases the venous flow of blood and direct heat will bring a surge of blood to the area. In order for the muscle fibres to work efficiently, they require a good supply of blood, which acts like a lubricant and so the more blood in the region, the better they will work. This is why warming up before sporting activity is so important. When the stones are removed there will be a temporary red patch of skin where extra blood has flowed to the area due to the warming effect of the stones. This is of special value when treating a particular area where extra deep work is required on muscle tissue which has formed scaring due to injury or where muscles have become fibrous due to prolonged tension in the muscle.
There is however, another significant reason for using stones in massage but this is more of a metaphysical reason and less tangible. It is our relationship with the world in which we inhabit; it is our connection with the very foundation of our planet – rock. Rock is basically the hard crust that encases the molten matter that burns deep within the core of this earth. Rock forms the firm foundation upon which we stand and although we may walk daily on concrete and asphalt, these are but derivatives of rock only crushed and reformed into a different form. Rock contains an energy which is difficult to define but nevertheless is present. Although it may appear lifeless, without it there is no world, no life. It is a paradox.
The Energy of RockRock contains energy that is billions of years old, the energy of molten matter which that has cooled, solidified and become solid. Rock forms part of nature and so do we, we form the same whole. This may seem difficult to understand but for those who like to linger on the seashore, climb mountains or walk the forests, they will understand.When these warmed stones are placed on your body, you are connected to two of the four prime elements, heat and earth (stone); the other two being water and air. This in itself is a relaxing experience and enhances the massage for you. Rocks represent something which is timeless, ageless, unchanging. We could all doing with absorbing this energy from time to time.
When these warmed stones are placed on your body, you are connected to two of the four prime elements, fire (heat) and earth (stone); the other two being water and air. This in itself is a relaxing experience and enhances the massage for you. Rocks represent something which is timeless, ageless, unchanging. We could all do with absorbing this energy from time to time.
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