Massage Class

A hot stone massage is an exquisite pleasure. Feeling the hot stone slide against our skin is akin to a divine journey of majestic delight. It encourages our eyes to close, to take a breath and breathe. The relaxation it encourages is majestic beyond belief, because it puts us into a state of peace. Today we are going to explore the ins and outs of performing a hot stone massage, so lean back, grab a cup of tea and enjoy the read.

One of the first things you need to know about this kind of massage is the stones can be very hot, so you must be careful when you handle them. If you are warming your stones at home, you could overheat them, so have a bowl of water nearby and a pair of tongs. These two tools are essential, because whether you are warming them in the oven, boiling them in a pot, or cooking them in a crock pot, they are going to be hot! Use the tongs to pick them up and place them inside a bowl of lukewarm water. Give them a moment or more to cool down, and once they are cool enough to hold in your hand without saying ouch, they might be ready to be used. As a final message, do not touch these stones when they are hot, because they can burn you, so be very careful.

Once you can safely hold them in your hands you need to test them. The way you do this is by running the stone against your inner forearm. This area is really sensitive, if it is too hot for this area of your forearm, then it is too hot for the person you are intending to massage.

Now it’s time for the next very important rule. This may seem weird, because in all the photographs, people are laying down with stones all over their backs. DO NOT place the stones on their body and leave them. While it is rare, the stones can burn the skin if left stationary for too long. The rule with using hot stones is they should always be moving when you are using them.

This class is designed for clients who have completed the Introductory Course, or massage therapist who is seeking a hands-on Hot Stone Continuing Education Class.

Alright, now that we have gotten through the most important rules we can move forward. If you haven’t performed a massage before, don’t give a hot stone massage until you are confident in the basics. The reason is because hot stones add a level of complexity that can make the experience downright frustrating. Something you may notice while using the stones is they will disrupt your flow. Once they begin to cool you need to get another stone, this reduces the amount of contact you can maintain, and as a result it diminishes the quality of the massage. If the stone slips out of the grasp of the tongs, this can be annoying, if they fall to the floor or make a loud clatter it can be frustrating. When this happens and you find yourself getting irritated, close your eyes, take a breathe and smile. It’s just a stone, and who cares if it falls to the floor, you will pick it up later.

One of the great things about a hot stone massage is it can take a mediocre massage and make it feel amazing. So, if you are already skilled with the basics, let’s dive in!

What Size Hot Stone Should I Use?

If you want your hot stone massage experience to be fun and effective you will need stones that fit comfortably in your hand. When selecting the stones you use, make sure they can easily be held, and when you hold them, make sure they aren’t too heavy or cumbersome. In the beginning, you should never hold more than one stone at a time, and you should never have two stones in one hand. Additionally, do not hold a stone above someone’s head. This is because the stones are going to be slick, because they will be covered in oil. The last thing you want is drop a stone on someone’s face or head.

How Should I Hold the Hot Stone?

Avoid squeezing the hot stone, gripping it tightly will put strain on your hands and forearms muscles. You need to hold them firm enough so you may maintain control of them, without following out of your grip, but you should never be clenching them with your fingers.

Special Considerations for Hot Stone Massage

• Do not place and leave the hot stones directly on a client’s skin. This can lead to injury; these stones are very hot and could burn someone.
• Do not hold two or more stones in one hand.
• Do not apply firm pressure against boney landmarks or areas you think is a knot.
• Use less pressure than you normally would. A stone is harder than your finger, arm and elbow, remember this when applying your strength and body weight.
• When we are using the stone there is a disconnect between our body and the client’s. Use your other hand to guide the stone and gauge the level of pressure.
• Empathize with your client, imagine how this experience feels like to them. How would this kind of pressure and heat feel on your body?
• Get to know each stone and assign it a purpose. Be creative and have fun!
• Remain aware, test the hot stones to ensure they won’t hurt anyone.
• When using the stones keep them moving. If a stone is hot it will feel less intense if you continuously slide it over someone’s body.
• Be empathetic, observant and communicate with your client.