Hahana Stone Massage - Hot Stone Massage Kits, Hot Stone Massage Training and Weekend Workshops, Stone Therapy Products

Frequently Asked Questions

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Q. Is the Hahana Stone Massage Online Store secure?

A. Yes. The Hahana Stone Massage Online Store is secured by Comodo 128 bit Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology, which encrypts information you provide to us for logging in, making account changes and purchasing our products. The 'padlock' symbol in your browser's address bar (during checkout and when accessing your account) shows that you are secure.

All credit card transactions are securely processed by PayPal, the industry leader in secure online payments. It is important for you to protect yourself against unauthorized access to your password and to your computer. Be sure to sign off when finished using a shared computer by clicking the "log off" link.

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Q. Can I pay with my credit card?

A. Yes, we accept Visa and MasterCard. During the checkout procedure, you have a choice of payment method - simply choose 'Credit/Debit Card'. Transactions are processed securely via Paypal and you don't even need to be a PayPal member to pay.

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Q. Can I pay via direct deposit?

A. Yes, however you need to be a PayPal member to make a direct deposit into our account. Transactions are processed securely via PayPal and signing up is simply. Click here to visit the PayPal website and become a member. If you don't wish to sign up to PayPal, please contact us and we can supply direct deposit details to you.

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Q. Can I pay via cheque or money order?

A. Yes. During the checkout procedure, you have a choice of payment method. Simply choose 'Cheque/Money Order' and post a cheque or money order to us. Specific details are shown at the 'Checkout'.

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Q. How are the items I order sent to me?

A. All orders placed through the Hahana Stone Massage Online Store are sent via Australia Post. For smaller orders (under 3kg) you have the option of Express Post (overnight delivery to most areas if your order is received by 12pm AEST - excludes weekends and public holidays). Larger orders (over 3kg) are sent via Registered Parcel Post (with insurance) and will require a signature upon delivery.

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Q. How is postage calculated?

A. Postage is calculated at the 'Checkout' through the Australia Post online postage calculator. All postage is charged at cost (ie. we don't charge any mark-up on postage).

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Q. I'm located outside of Australia, how can I order products from Hahana Stone Massage

A. Please contact us for a postage quote. All prices listed on the Hahana Stone Massage Online Store are inclusive of GST however, for orders outside of Australia, prices exclude GST.

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Stones

Q. What type of stones does Hahana Stone Massage sell?

A. Hahana Stone Massage stocks only the highest quality stones - volcanic basalt (black/grey) for hot stones, and marble (white/greenish) for cold stones. Both of these types of stones have the correct mineral make-up required to retain heat/cold for extended periods of time. Basalt is high in iron and magnesium, as well as being a very dense stone. This means that it will hold the heat for longer than other types of stone. Basalt is also the original type of stone that Mary Nelson (the modern-day originator of Stone Therapy) channelled as the ideal stone to use for Hot Stone Massage.

Both our basalt and marble stones are available as naturally formed/smoothed stones, or hand-carved stones.

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Q. Where are Hahana Stone Massage stones sourced from?

A. Our natural stones (both hot-basalt and cold-marble) are sourced from high energetic areas of South America. The stones are sorted a minimum of three to four times (to ensure quality and consistency) before we offer them for sale.

Our hand-carved stones are produced in Shanghai, and are modeled on our Deluxe Stone Set, ensuring the correct shapes and size are included.

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Q. Are the stones that are sold by Hahana Stone Massage natural or man-made?

A. We sell both naturally formed/smoothed stones and hand-carved stones.

Our natural stones are formed and smoothed by the elements (rivers and oceans). There is no man-made shaping, tumbling or polishing applied to theses stones. Many therapists prefer to use naturally formed/smoothed stones as they are said to keep their original energetic signature, enhancing the benefit for clients. As mentioned above, we do sort our stones at least three to four times to ensure that all stones sold are the correct shape, size and smoothness.

Our hand-carved stones are available in both basalt and marble. Although these sets are a relatively new addition to modern-day Stone Therapy, they are a great budget-priced alternative to natural stones.

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Q. Are there any guarantees or warranties on the stones sold by Hahana Stone Massage?

A. Yes. All natural stones have a lifetime guarantee against chipping/breakage (during normal use) - if one of your natural stones should break due to being dropped, then it we will gladly replace it. Being such strong stones, it is highly unlikely that you will ever break one, even by dropping it on tiled or concrete floors.

Our hand-carved stones are guaranteed to be free to defects in workmanship at the time of purchase but are not covered by our lifetime guarantee. Having said this, they are still a very strong and durable stone.

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Q. What colour are the stones sold by Hahana Stone Massage?

A. All stones sold by Hahana Stone Massage are supplied un-oiled. This ensures that you are only receiving virgin stones, never previously used.

Initially, the basalt stones will be a chalky grey or black colour, and will turn a deep black/grey once oiled. Some stones will stay dark even when washed; others will revert to their chalky appearance after washing. Either way, you can be assured that stones purchased through Hahana Stone Massage will perform well when used for any style of Hot Stone Massage.

Our Peruvian Marble Cold Stones are generally a white-ish colour, and will often have a green tinge to them. These are also supplied un-oiled and will change colour slightly when oiled. The hand-carved marble stones are white.

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Q. Is there really a difference between the types of stones sold by the various companies in Australia and worldwide?

A. Yes there is a definite difference in the quality, consistency and sometimes the actual type of stone. Hahana Stone Massage stocks only the highest quality, internationally sourced, volcanic basalt and marble stones (orbicular/rounded). For Hot Stones, basalt stones which are naturally formed (by volcanoes) and smoothed (by rivers/oceans) over thousands of years, are the preferred type of stone for therapists all over the World (hand-carved stones are a budget-priced alternative to natural stones). Marble is the most commonly used Cold Stone. Finding a supplier who sells symmetrically paired stones is very important. This ensures that the stones feel comfortable for both the therapist and client.

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Q. If I purchase products from Hahana Stone Massage, can I promote that I now offer 'Hahana Stone Massage'?

A. No. Hot Stone Massage or Stone Therapy is the generic name for this modality. Hahana Stone Massage is a registered trademark and only Spas/Salons/therapists who have undertaken training with us can use our name, logo, images, etc. If you would like to offer Hahana Stone Massage to your clients, then please contact us.

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Q. Can I just find my own stones in nature?

A. Yes and no. Unfortunately, here in Australia, although there are copious amounts of basalt, the majority of it is angular and rough, and therefore not suitable for Hot Stone Massage. Australian basalt also tends to be much less dense than South American basalt - meaning poorer heat retention and less resistance to cracking. There are some areas where small amounts of smooth and rounded basalt stones can be found, but most of these places are inside National Parks and it is illegal to remove any flora or fauna at all. Even if you do find stones on beaches or in rivers that aren't in National Parks, you must get permission from the owner (usually the local council) to remove them.

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Q. Can I purchase stones from a landscape supply outlet and use them for Hot Stone Massage?

A. No. Although landscape supply outlets do stock some types of smooth river stone, you will not find basalt, which is the only type of stone suitable for Hot Stone Massage. Also, river stones from landscape supply outlets may crack when heated.

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Stone Heaters
Q. Are there any guarantees or warranties on the heaters sold by Hahana Stone Massage?

A. Yes. The Hahana Stone Heater is covered by a 12 month warranty (parts and labour) - click here for detailed information.

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Q. Why doesn't Hahana Stone Massage sell the Spa-Pro heaters like most other suppliers?

A. After extensive testing of this particular heater, we found several factors that didn't meet our high standards:

1. Unfortunately, the temperature control wasn't precise enough for our liking and, as a change in temperature of 1-2 degrees is sometimes needed, we felt that this was a serious flaw;

2. The removable insert is coated with a non-stick coating, which many people actually choose to avoid due to health concerns;

3. Finally, the heating elements are located on the sides of the unit and, as a result, the outside casing becomes dangerously hot, representing a clear Health and Safety issue. (Although the Hahana Stone Heater also gets hot to touch, our heating element is located on the base of the unit, dramatically reducing the temperature of the external casing).

In order to ensure that we stock the highest quality heater available on the market, the logical choice for us was to enlist an Australian company to design and manufacturer a stone heater exclusively for us. Not only have we come up with a very effective and aesthetically pleasing stone heater, we also support the local economy by buying and supplying 'Australian-made'.

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Q. The Hahana Stone Heater seems much more compact than most other Stone Heaters. Is it large enough?

A. Yes. When, after many years of using stone heaters that were too big and bulky, the opportunity arose to design a more compact and aesthetically pleasing heater, we jumped at it. The Hahana Stone Heater is the perfect size to fit all of the stones commonly used for Hot Stone Massages (plus extras if needed), while still being easy to handle when filling, cleaning and moving around the Spa/Salon.

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Q. Can I use a rice-cooker or crock-pot to heat my stones?

A. No. Apart from being too small for full-body treatments, rice-cookers and crock-pots lack the precise temperature settings required to perform a safe and effective Hot Stone Massage. If you choose to use appliances such as these to heat your stones, there is a very real risk of burning the client (or not giving a good treatment because the stones are too cool). Rice-cookers and crock-pots belong in the kitchen, not in a Day Spa or Beauty Salon!

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Setting-up

Q. What would the minimum outlay be to add Hot Stone Massage to my treatment menu?

A. The most economical kit for introducing full-body Hot Stone Massages to your Spa/Salon is the Budget Hot Stone Massage Kit (with hand-carved stones). At only $825 (including GST), this kit contains everything you need to get started. If you would prefer natural stones, the Starter Stone Therapy Kit is the ideal starting point (RRP $957 - including GST). Both kits come with a large assortment of basalt stones, all chosen for a specific use (and labelled for easy identification); as well as a Hahana Stone Heater (large enough to include additional stone if required); and, the most essential accessories.

We also highly recommend that you undertake professional training to ensure that you are providing safe and effective treatments (Hahana students are also eligible for a 5% discount off any complete kit). Click here for information about our In-House training courses (ie. at your Spa/Salon).Or, click here for information about our Weekend Workshops (Sunshine Coast only).

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Q. I want to go all out! What is the premium kit that Hahana Stone Massage sells?

A. Our premium kit is the Deluxe Spa Kit. Retailing for $1210 (including GST), this kit comes with everything you need for performing full-body Stone Therapy (hot and cold) treatments. Included is our largest set of natural basalt stones, all chosen for their specific uses (and labelled for easy identification); a set of Peruvian Marble Cold Stones; a Hahana Stone Heater (large enough to include additional stones if required); and, an accessories pack, containing all of the accessories needed to ease you through a full-body treatment.

Again, we also recommend that you undertake professional training to ensure that you are providing safe and effective treatments. (Hahana students are also eligible for a 5% discount off any complete kit). Click here for information about our In-House training courses (ie. at your Spa/Salon).Or, click here for information about our Weekend Workshops (Sunshine Coast only).

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Q. Can I do my training with Hahana Stone Massage but purchase my stones/kit elsewhere?

A. Yes, although most people find that they fall in love with our stones during the training session. If you do decide to go with another supplier, you may find it difficult to source the correct shapes and sizes to perform the Hahana Method correctly. We also find that students who purchase stones elsewhere are often disappointed by inadequate heat retention properties of the stones. At Hahana Stone Massage, we pride ourselves on our perfectly chosen stone sets which retain heat. In the end, it's always your choice.

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Q. Can I just purchase stones through Hahana Stone Massage and do my training elsewhere?

A. Yes. If you would like to learn another style of Hot Stone Massage/Stone Therapy, but still purchase our high quality stones, then give us a call and we can customise a set/kit for you. Our stone sets already contain the most commonly used shapes and sizes for most styles of Hot Stone Massage/Stone Therapy. However, if you need extra stones, then they are also available individually (usually at a discounted price when purchased with a stone set or complete kit).

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Training
Click here for information about our In-House training courses (ie. at your Spa/Salon).
Or, click here for information about our Weekend Workshops (Sunshine Coast only).

Q. Why would I choose Hahana Stone Massage over other providers?

A. The techniques taught in the intensive training offered by Hahana Stone Massage have been proven to be some of the most relaxing and flowing techniques for providing Hot Stone Massage. Based on Hawaiian Lomi-Lomi movements, which utilise a lot of forearms strokes, it also teaches therapists how to protect themselves against overuse injuries such as RSI.

Hahana Stone Massage is one of the most competitively priced training institutions currently offering Hot Stone Massage training here in Australia. We have been teaching Hot Stone Massage/Stone Therapy and supplying products for much longer than most of our competitors. Read some testimonials here.

On-going support/back-up is offered to all of our students and we are happy to answer any future questions which may arise.

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Q. Do I need any background training to attend a Hahana Stone Massage training course?

A. We prefer all students to have a background in massage or beauty. This just means that the basics have already been covered and leaves more time for learning the advanced techniques covered during our training. As with any style of massage, students who wish to practice Hot Stone Massage/Stone Therapy professionally will need a minimum of a Certificate IV in order to join an association and get insurance.

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Q. Will I receive a training manual with my Hahana Stone Massage training?

A. Yes. All participants receive a full-colour, 44-page training manual. This in-depth training guide contains everything that is covered during our one or two-day training sessions, including all theory notes, as well as detailed pictures and written descriptions of the various practical movements that make up a 90 minute full-body Hot Stone Massage/Stone Therapy treatment. The Hahana Stone Massage training manual has been constantly revised over the past four years and we are confident that it is the most comprehensive Hot Stone Massage/Stone Therapy manual available in Australia.

For more details about the specific areas covered in our training sessions/manual, please click here.

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Q. How many students attend each Hahana Stone Massage training course?

A. For our in-house training, we cater for 1 to 3 therapists. Our weekend workshops are designed for a maximum of 4 therapists. By keeping class sizes small, we ensure the personal attention needed to pass on this unique style of massage.

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Q. What is the duration of a Hahana Stone Massage training course?

A. Our in-house training is a single day and is designed for Spas, Salons and therapists who can't afford to take multiple days off work. Our weekend workshops are held over two days, giving students a little more time to practice the new techniques we teach. The same content is covered in both styles of training.

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Q.Is one or two days really enough time to learn Hot Stone Massage/Stone Therapy?

A.If you are already a qualified Massage/Beauty therapist and you attend a Hahana Stone Massage training session then yes, one or two days is enough time to learn Hot Stone Massage/Stone Therapy. As we limit the number of attendees for all of our training sessions, you are always assured for receiving the individual attention required to learn this unique style of Hot Stone Massage/Stone Therapy.

Obviously, on-going practice will be required after your initial training session in order to solidify the techniques and sequences. Some therapists are ready to perform treatments on paying clients a day after training, others will need more time to remember the sequence. We generally find that a good solid week of practice/revision is enough for most therapists to feel confident when performing a treatment.

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Q. Where is the training held?

A. Training is conducted Australia-wide, usually at your premises (Spa, Salon, Clinic). We have trainers based in Queensland (Brisbane and Sunshine Coast); New South Wales (Sydney); Victoria (Melbourne); Australian Capital Territory (Canberra); Tasmania (Hobart); and Western Australia (Perth). For more information about training in your area, please visit our In-House training page by clicking here .

Weekend Workshops are currently held only on the Sunshine Coast (Queensland), but we do plan to offer these two-day workshops in the other capital cities shortly. Keep an eye on the Training pages for updates.

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Q. Do I get a certificate?

A. Yes. All participants receive a Certificate of Excellence stating that they can safely perform Stone Therapy/Hot Stone Massage.

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Q. What type of training has the founder of Hahana Stone Massage undertaken?

A. Philip Cook, the founder and head-trainer, has completed a Certificate IV in Oriental Massage and a Bachelor of Health Science (Acupuncture) - both through the Australian College of Natural Medicine in Brisbane, as well as Aromastone training with the UK-based company Steiner. Philip has also completed a Certificate IV in Workplace Assessment & Training. He has been practising massage for over 10 years and has been incorporating stones into his massage treatments for about 6 years. For further information about Philip, please click here.

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Q. What type of training have the other Hahana Stone Massage facilitators undertaken?

A. All trainers are qualified Massage/Spa therapists and have also completed (or are in the process of completing) a Certificate IV in Workplace Assessment & Training. For further information on the individual trainers, please click here.

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Q. How much notice do I need to give if I want to organise a Hahana Stone Massage "in-house" training session?

A. It depends on the particular time of year. Most of the time we can arrange a training session with one of facilitators quite quickly, sometimes even in the same week as your enquiry.

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Q. Can I do my training with Hahana Stone Massage but purchase my stones/kit elsewhere?

A. Yes. We are happy to train you and your staff even if you have purchased your stones/kit elsewhere. If you do decide to go with another supplier, you may find it difficult to source the correct shapes and sizes to perform the Hahana Method correctly. We also find that students who purchase stones elsewhere are often disappointed by inadequate heat retaining properties of the stones. At Hahana Stone Massage, we pride ourselves on our perfectly chosen stone sets which retain heat. In the end, it's always your choice.

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Q. I am a qualified massage/beauty therapist, is it necessary for me to undertake specific training in Hot Stone Massage?

A. Yes. Although some therapists do just incorporate heated stones into their normal massage routine, in order to ensure adequate insurance coverage, training from a recognised provider is required.

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Q. Is training with Hahana Stone Massage enough for me to be covered for liability insurance?

A. Assuming that you are a qualified massage/beauty therapist and your professional association and insurer both recognise Hot Stone Massage as a modality, then yes, training with Hahana Stone Massage is adequate. It is best to double-check with your individual association/insurer but to this date we have had no refusals.

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