Touched By The Stones

MANISHA RATHORE

“The healing power of touch combines with the energy of the earth in this muscle relaxing massage. This treatment begins with our signature Salt & Stone footbath. Once you are comfortably lying down, smooth, heated river stones are used in rhythmic flowing strokes to relieve tension and soothe emotions. They are also placed on various energy points to awaken the body’s natural healing potential, leaving you calm and balanced,” says the therapist at the Alila Spa in Bali, one of the best Asian spas, which offers hot stone massage as one of its signature treatment.

The origin of hot stone massage is not clear but it has long been practiced by Native Americans, Tibetans, Koreans and Hawaiians amongst others. In Hawaii, lava stones are used during lomi lomi massage to soothe, and in Tibet, the application of hot stones has long been a vital element in healing. In ancient times the Hawaiians used lava stones in the lomi lomi believing that the heat emitted by the stones would warm the body, relax the muscles and soothe the soul. These smooth rocks are naturally plentiful in Hawaii and they are believed to enhance the therapeutic treatments. Indonesia is also very rich in lava rocks and stones.

The healing power of touch combines with the energy of the earth in this relaxing, muscle melting massage. Smooth, warmed rocks glide across the body in long, flowing strokes. The heat helps to relax the muscles and has a soothing effect on the emotions. Simultaneously, rocks are placed on the body’s various energy points to encourage the body’s healing potential. This therapy is very useful in anxiety, sleeplessness and stress. The warmth of the stones dissolves tension, dissolves pain, strain and muscle aches away and improves circulation, back pain, insomnia and depression.

Ingredients Used

This treatment uses basalt stones of various sizes: large, medium, small and toe sizes. The stones for face massage are different with a handle so that it can glide smoothly on the face. The stones used for massage are covered in boiling water and heated. After 10 minutes they are removed with tongs and dried. Then they are placed on the body at the appropriate temperature. One stone is placed in each palm, one at the base of the neck, on the back, at the bottom of the feet, beneath the solar plexus and on the centre of the lower back for balancing, earthing and relaxing.

The stones are left on the body for 10 -15 minutes for the body to absorb the warmth which stimulates the energy flow of the body. Then the body is massaged with a blend of essential oils, using two stones.

How to Use

The stones are placed at strategic points on the body to allow the heat to penetrate and the muscle tension to melt away. The warm stones are massaged on various parts of the body including the face, neck, chest, stomach, and front and back of legs to increase stimulation. It relieves soreness and stiffness and rejuvenates and relaxes the body.

Alila Spa says: “We use black river stones instead of the man-made, perfectly shaped stones that other spas use. Black river stones have the benefit of having tiny pores. This means they can keep the body heat and energy and lock them in longer. On the full moon, we bathe the stones under the full moon to absorb its energy. We, Balinese, believe that the shine of the full moon has a positive energy that benefits your skin rejuvenation. Our therapists are highly trained in knowledge of the body energy lines and the function of each line in order to deliver an effective massage. We do not combine it with chakra balancing. We work more on the energy lines.”

Javana Spa, situated about 28 miles from Jakarta in natural and sylvan surroundings with waterfalls and jungles, has its own version of the treatment. A senior therapist at the spa says, “A hot stone massage with a trained therapist is the best way to go for a relaxing treatment. We combine our hot stones with other treatments; for example we use cold stones on eyes when doing the facials or applying the masks. Cold stones will prevent inflammation and puffiness. And to get the client in a more relaxing mode we also place two warm stones on their palms during the whole facial treatment. We also use hot stones in our reflexology treatments. After reflexology, the feet are placed on a bowl of hot stones. We use sea stones from the coast of Maine. You can use any stones (for example river stones) that have the ability to retain heat. Personally, I love the sensation that stones give to a massage - a supplement to enhance the power of touch. The combination of the weight, warmth and movement of the stones is also a very relaxing experience. The weight of the stones offers a comforting pressure to the body’s stress zones and when you remove the stones, an immediate uplift is created, releasing fatigue and tension. Combine it with the warmth of the stone to increase circulation/metabolism, to release stiffness and pain.”