Hot Stone Massage Therapy

November 28, 2005

Good Morning!

Hot Stone Massage Therapy is a concept that has seemed to come into

popularity within the last 5-10 years. Even within the last four

years, it has become the rage at Spas and Therapeutic Centers all

over the world. Contrary to popular belief, Hot Stone Therapy was

NOT first discovered in the desert of Arizona or by massage

therapists' visions of saints.

Hot Stone Massage is a concept that was founded 5000 years ago.

Ayurveda, the ancient healing tradition of India, spoke of a

universal source of all life. Hot stones are positioned on the body

and some are gently manipulated with light pressure being exerted on

the warm stones to invigorate this universal life force.

The energy called " prana " is the energy, or the breath of life which

moves through all forms to give them life. Yogis work with this

energy with breathing techniques, meditation, physical exercise and

massage to produce altered states of consciousness, healing and

longevity. They would not only use their hands for manipulation and

healing but also utilize " tools " the earth would provide such as

herbs, flowers, crystals and stones.

HotStone Massage Therapy came from the healers using rocks from the

river beds and warming them either in hot coals or hot water. By

placing the hot stones on a towel on the body and arranging them

along the energy points of the body a healing process would occur.

The hot stones have a tendency to relax the muscles and " draw out "

muscle pain and discomfort. The hot stones seem to connect the flow

or paths of energy together in order to rebalance the physical body,

emotional mind and soaring spirit as one. As the stones cool the

healer replace them with hot stones again. At the end, the healer

would massage the body with the stones and scented oil.

To find out more about this therapy, go to:

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

Peacefulmind.com

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit

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