Zen and the Art of Massage

Hi Rita,

I agree with you that it is best to have a session with someone who has been doing Hot Stone massage for a while when you are learning the technique yourself. I did, and it really helped.

As for your questions, there is a lot of information out there about blogs. What in particular are you interested in? How to start one? The history? Why people use them?

A decent article about the history of blogs and some general information about them is available in this wikipedia article.

As for how I got my own blog so well positioned, that’s mostly due to a lot of luck. There are various websites out there that explain how to get a better ‘google ranking’, but they tend to be fairly technical in their language. Most of my google ranking comes from other people having linked my blog from theirs, and the fact that I use the word ‘massage’ so much! As well, I’ve been writing here for over three years, which does help in increasing my rank a bit (more posts to archive means more chances someone will find the blog with a random search).

I added stones to my practice about three years ago based on a video I bought, an electric skillet, and a starter kit (just stones). Like any other technique, it was a little slow and awkward at first but I quickly developed my own style.

I started using using a thermometer and then just put a notch on the skillet thermostat when I found the right temp.

Now I keep two heavy “pillow” stones and two smaller, shaped working stones in my towel warmer so I can add something special into my regular sessions or melt into a particularly tight muscle.

Also I find having the hot stones in my hands to be very grounding when my mind is racing or I lack inspiration…or for that matter, if my hands get sore.

Rita mentioned that she rejected hot stone massages, but she didn’t say if she had actually tried it or not. if she had, she would’ve known that a stone massage. If she had, she would know that the massage has everything to do with how the basalt stones are heated up, then used as a tool while performing swedish massage-like strokes along the areas of the back that are tight. The stones act as a catalyst of heat that when applied to the tight muscled areas would loosen up. After the initial massage, the massage therapist places each stone on different areas of the spine, between toes, and even gives you one to hold in each hand. This is done because it increases the flow of energy throughout the body. The stones are usually in a heated state, but when muscle injuries/inflammation are prevalent, they use the stones as is w/o the addition of heat.

So in essence, if one were to reject such a “fad,” one should have the proper knowledge as to what this massage is, then make an assessment that is viable for discussion. As for myself, I like the hot stone massage and the shiatzu massage the best. Although different in accordance to tools used and the amount of pressure being applied (more so on the shiatzu), they accomplish the same thing: Loosening of tight muscles and leaving the person these techniques are being applied to in a state of relaxation and stress-release. - Tamara