Hot Rocks!

If you have never experienced this unique treatment, you should indulge at least once in this exquisite moment...

I did today.

The therapist at the small spa around the corner from my guesthouse actually knew what she was doing, which was nice compared to some of the massages on the street (she even found my 'funny shoulder' without any mention from me).  It was very therapeutic, and I can imagine in the winter it would be even more wonderful for people who experience aches and pains!  The session was quoted at an hour and a half, but in fact lasted a blissful two and a half hours!

I was sort of expecting to have the stones placed on my back, etc, and left to sit there, but in fact, that is another kind of hot stone massage....  the treatment I had was called Colour Hot Stone Massage.  It is based on the Japanese Shiatsu Massage.  The 'colour' refers to the fact that the stones are actually not the usual black granite/basalt stones, but various... each stone/colour has special properties.  I received the light granite.  The therapist said that the Red Jasper was good for circulation and digestion, and the White Jade was good for the renal system and body PH balance.  The stones are like half-eggs, smooth and soft, and seem the perfect size and shape to fit the contours of the body.  The stones are said to "contain repairing micronized minerals and are coupled with aromatic essential oils to relieve muscular, mental and emotional stress". (from the brochure)

The heat from the incredibly hot stones are transferred into the body tissues by the therapist, then at a tolerable temperature, they are placed on the 'chakra', and used to actually massage, centered around these points.  There was definitely a deeper healing power at work - it was incredibly rejuvenating and reenergizing, and seeped deep into the core of the body... not just on the superficial tissues like a regular 'street massage'.

There is definitely something very spiritual about this massage - this was confirmed when the therapist also explained that she has to care for her stones...  as if they were her children... cared for, nurtured... she said she gives them sunlight every day, and sometimes turns on a little music for them as well...  here are the traditional black basalt stones pictured in their cradle.

... and here are 'my stones' in their hot water heater...