Hot Stone Massage

Hello ....... brrrrr, it’s been really cold over the weekend and snow - well didn’t expect it.  

So this brings me on to think of how beautiful it is to have Hot Stone Massage.  The thought of those beautiful natural basalt stones, heated and placed on the body and used to massage is just blissful, especially warming those cold tired muscles, which are working hard to keep us warm.

A Brief History of Hot Stone Massage Therapy

Massage is considered to be among the oldest of all treatments used by man.  Chinese records dating back three thousand years documented its use.  The ancient Hindus, Persians and Egyptians used forms of massage for some ailments, and Hippocrates wrote papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems.  Today massage is an accepted part of many physical rehabilitation programmes and has proven beneficial for many chronic conditions, such as low-back pain, arthritis, and bursitis.  Massage helps relieve the stress and tension of everyday living.

Ancient Hot Stone Therapy

Early use and evolution of hot stone massage originated in four geographical areas: China, India, Hawaii and the mainland United States.

China - As early as 2,000 B.C., ancient Chinese healers applied warm stones to the body in the treatment of disease and muscular pain.  In China stones were heated in the sun and used for muscle and joint pains.

India - The origin of hot stone massage can be traced back 5000 years to India, with the ancient healing tradition of Ayurveda.  According to some researches, this therapy originated from healers who used rocks from the river beds and warmed them in either hot water or hot coals before using them to treat any feeling of discomfort in the body.

Mainland United States - Early Native Americans used heated stones in sweat lodges, placing them on the abdomen for the relief of cramps and other stomach pain.  In Central and South America some Mayan, Inca, Aztec and Peruvian tribes have ceremonies that involve using stones on the body.  Some of these are specially carved (fetishes), some are heated and some are cold.  Reflexology was first practiced in the Aztec temples and often involved using stones.

Looking for a way to continue her work that would overcome her damaged hands, Mary Nelson introduced LaStone therapy in 1993.  Mary’s Story in inspirational and a must read for anyone embarking on hot stone therapy.

Our course will teach you how to apply hot stones and use them in your massage routine.  I must point out, however,  that this course is not the original LaStone – as with other therapies there are vast variations and this is one of them.

The Benefits of Hot Stone Massage Therapy

• Induces deep relaxation, the warm stones work on a physical and emotional level
• Warm stones help ease the muscles and allow a greater intensity
• Every stoke is equivalent to ten massage strokes
• Increases more blood flow to the areas being worked
• Increases the removal of waste products within the muscle fibres
• Improves tissue repair due to the increased blood supply and oxygen
• Reduces stress
• Nurtures and calms with the natural healing properties of the stones
• The stones can also be used cold
• Stimulating
• Good for injuries which need to be cooled

This therapy enhances the overall effect of a traditional massage tenfold whilst taking care of the therapist hands and joints.

Well what do you think - lush or what!!!

Not only is this a beautiful therapy to have but it is a wonderful treatment to give.  As therapists our hands get a hammering, we end up with all kinds of problems if we don’t take care of ourselves, which we must!!

Hot Stones was developed with that thought in mind - using the stones helps ease the trauma to our hands and, I must admit, it does.  It’s wonderful, using the stones takes the pressure off our hands and arms and it’s a must for all you budding massage therapists.  Try it - see what it’s like; maybe we could run a workshop for you to “have a go” so do let me know if it is something you would like to try.

Our course is run over a day and half, we require 12 case studies and the pre-requisite is Anatomy & Physiology and Body Massage.  The course carries 17 CPD points and the cost is £150.00

For further details on this and other courses see our website.

Bless you all, take care in this cold weather and speak soon.

Love and Reiki blessings
Gill

Welcome to my World ...

... of Complementary Therapy.

My journey began in 1998 while I was still in part-time employment.  I was happy doing my daily, although stressful, work as a Medical Receptionist at our local Doctors Surgery.  A friend and work colleague asked me one morning if I fancied joining her on a ten-week introductory course to massage?  There would be no qualification, it was only for fun.  Well why not? !!!

So off we went.  I didn’t know what to expect but the tutor was nice, the people were friendly and I thought 'well it’s only ten weeks, soon be over and done with'.  I would learn a new skill, use it on my husband (who I must say suffered with his back) and also could massage my children.  Well, boy oh boy, I didn’t expect what happened next. 

I decided I’d go first and massage my friend and, as soon as my hands touched her, I had one of those moments!  Wow, I really needed to do this, it was fabulous.  Even though I was rubbish at it at first, it was wonderful.  So I immediately decided to enrol on a proper college course and learn this wonderful skill properly and gain a qualification.

My journey had begun.  I started the course and studied Anatomy & Physiology and Swedish Massage.  God it was hard!!  I was an older student and found it hard to absorb, but as the weeks and months went on I found it fascinating and couldn’t stop reading, writing and learning.  The icing on the cake was learning to massage properly and understand the effects it has on the body.

Well, eventually the courses ended and exams were looming.  A three hour written exam and an hour practical, stressful or what!!!  Once it was over the waiting began and I was pulling it all apart and worrying endlessly, until the post arrived with my results and I had passed with flying colours and gained a Credit for my efforts.  Fantastic.  But where was I going with all this new found knowledge, then another chapter begins.

Further studies and learning new therapies.  I found it wonderful and fascinating and began understanding that not all therapies suit everyone.  So I became multi-skilled, which I must say is brilliant as each new therapy opened a can of worms for me and I had a thirst for knowledge and understanding.  Also, my spiritual side was opening up as these wonderful therapies are holistic -  meaning the whole.  We were working on the mind, body and spirit and what a package; helping people in a wonderful way, initiating the body’s natural healing abilities.  What a wonderful career I was opening up for myself.

Well learning goes on and on and once into this type of career, it never ends.  We want it all and want it now.  However, this path takes a little time but the journey is so worthwhile, I can assure you of that.  Over the past few years I have had the privilege of teaching the art of these beautiful therapies, spreading my experience, knowledge and passion for my work, also giving support to my students after their training.  This journey needs to be shared and help should always be at hand - it was something I didn’t get after leaving college, I just felt kind of dumped!

So my aim was to always be there for my students and help where I could.  I don’t hold all the answers but together we would work it out, or find where and how.

Last year, as Como started to develop, Elaine and I wanted a safe place for the learning journey of  our Reiki Students.  Workshops, events, Reiki Shares were all on the agenda but we had no fixed abode and worked from my treatment room or the local Village Hall.  A chain of events took place at the Village Hall and we thought of it as home.  Then our friends upstairs had other ideas for us and we found our beloved Como Centre.  We knew at this point that holistic training was going to be part of this incredible journey, so at the end of last year I wrote the training manuals for all the therapies I do.  Anatomy and Physiology forms the basis of all therapies and we can now take our students from scratch, all the way through and beyond whatever they decided they wanted to do. This all comes, of course, with love and attention to individual needs and giving support during and after their courses.

Como Holistic Training was born.  The manuals are all accredited by the Guild of Holistic Therapies and the icing on the cake was getting accreditation for Reiki, giving Reiki a professional qualification for our students.  Our A&P course is by distant learning on-line, with a final exam taken at our Centre.  The award is given and then the world is your oyster and training in all other courses can begin.  

Over the next few months new therapies will be available.  Both Elaine and I will be doing more studying and more courses will be available, giving you all opportunities to learn new skills.

Our first tutor has arrived too.  Eiren Curtis is an Holistic and Beauty therapist and will be bringing Beauty to Como.  We really do want to offer the full package, so whether you are a beginner or a qualified therapist, we have something to offer you.  We are based Wantage, Oxfordshire and our premises are just the ticket.  

So, let your journey begin.  We will be offering introductory courses in just the same way I started.   All our courses are aimed at learning with fun, and if you find you would like to develop your knowledge and qualify then we can take you through the whole process.  

So why are you waiting, take a look at our website - http://www.comocentreforenlightenment.com.  Oh and watch this space ... there will be more to come.

Welcome

Welcome to my new Holistic Training blog.  I'll be updating this blog with all the news, training courses, and interesting articles linked to Holistic Therapies.