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Massage is perhaps the oldest form of hands-on-healing known to humans, easily pre-dating written records. For millennia, people from virtually every culture have used a combination of touch, heat (thermotherapy) and stones as therapeutic tools. The three main cultures which have heavily influced how Hahana Stone Massage has evolved are the Chinese, the Native Americans and especially the Hawaiians (although Egyptian, Ayurvedic and many other traditional healing arts are also said to have used stones and/or heat). One of the first recorded uses of stones for healing was by Ancient Chinese medical practitioners who regularly used various shaped/sharpened stones (Bian Stones) to treat disease. The use of Moxabustion (buring of the herb mugwort) helped to add heat to these treatments. Native Americans are well known for their Sweat Lodges, which are similar to modern-day Saunas. The use of heated stones on the lower abdomen to relieve cramps was another common Native American practice. Most therapists who incorporate heated stones into their massage routine agree that the Hawaiians had a major part to play in how this form of massage is applied today. This is particularly true for Hahana Stone Massage. Customary uses included wrapping heated stones in leaves with certain therapeutic properties (ti leaves) and placing on sore muscles to reduce pain – like using a heat pack or poultice. Hot stones were also placed in shallow pits and covered with these same leaves, with the patient then laying on top of the leaves to allow the healing properties to infuse into the body. Volcanic stones are also said to have been rubbed over the body after a traditional Hawaiian Kahuna/Lomi-Lomi massage – perhaps less of a massage technique and more of an exfoliation, due to the coarseness of the volcanic stones used. The Hawaiians are still one of the most closely linked cultures to modern-day Stone Therapy. Modern-day Stone Therapy, a truly unique style of massage, has been gaining popularity through-out the world after being ‘re-discovered’ in the United States in 1993. The story is that a massage therapist, named Mary Nelson, who was suffering from repetitive use injuries in the shoulders/wrists, was having a sauna with her niece and was ‘called’ to the stones. Mary picked up some of the stones and started massaging her niece with them – it felt great (for the client as well as the therapist) and thus Stone Therapy’s reawakening occurred. The first style of modern-day Stone Therapy was called ‘LaStone Therapy’. Practically every Spa in Europe and America offers Hot Stone Massage on their menu, with Australia quickly following suit. The number of different styles however, is almost as varied as the stones themselves. A modern-day Hot Stone Massage (sometimes called Hot Rocks Massage) will usually consist of the therapist placing heated stones (usually basalt) of various shapes/sizes onto the client’s body (for safety, most of the time these ‘placement’ stones won’t be in direct contact with the skin, instead they will be placed onto a towel to buffer the heat). These stones are placed onto different points (chakras, energy points, sore muscles, etc), depending on the style of Stone Therapy. Whilst these placement stones are warming and activating specific areas, the therapist will take several other heated stones and begin massaging a different area of the body. The heat from the stones is released deep into the muscles, greatly enhancing the massage. It is said that one stroke with a heated stone is equivalent to ten normal massage strokes! Some therapists will also incorporate chilled stones (usually marble) into their treatment which, although not quite as relaxing as the heated stones, do have a part to play for certain conditions. A typical Hot Stone Massage will take 60 to 90 minutes. Most people who have a Hot Stone Massage will be ‘blown away’ by the level of relaxation that is achieved. Some clients will have vivid dreams or even ‘out-of-body’ experiences. It is usually a very grounding, relaxing and healing experience. Apart form the deep level of relaxation, Hot Stone Massage is also great to incorporate into Remedial or Deep Tissue massage. Not only does the client receive the benefits, but when practiced correctly, the therapist will reduce the strain placed on their hands and wrists. As with all forms of massage, it is important that the therapist has undertaken professional training. Check with the Spa, Salon or therapist before your treatment to ensure you are getting the best massage from the most qualified therapist.
The Hahana Difference
Taking its name from the Hawaiian word for ‘heat’, Hahana Stone Massage is based on procedures used in the world’s top Spas, utilising various Lomi-Lomi techniques which mimic a firm yet gentle stream of flowing water. It is a holistic treatment which uses both physical and metaphysical energies to deeply relax and revitalise your clients. Commitment to supplying competitively priced, high quality Stone Therapy equipment and training is our mission at Hahana Stone Massage. All stones (hot) that we supply are naturally smoothed, volcanic basalt (black/grey). Our cold stones are Peruvian marble (white/green). Known
for its superior heat retaining qualities, basalt is the most suitable type
of stone to use for Hot Stone Massage. Inferior quality coloured river
pebbles are often passed-off in cheaper kits, but those who have used
these will testify that they lack the adequate energy and heat conduction
necessary for professional treatments. Internationally sourced (primarily from South America), our
stones are hand-picked by massage therapists who are trained in Hot
Stone Massage.
There are a multitude of various methods and styles of Stone Therapy. The Hahana Method has been proven time and time again to be one of the most relaxing and flowing forms of Hot Stone Massage currently performed in the local and international Spa scene. Hahana Stone Massage is currently available in over 100 Spas, Salons and Massage Clinics through-out Australia, and as far reaching as Ireland, New Zealand and Fiji. We were one of the first companies in Australia to offer Stone Therapy/Hot Stone Massage training and products, and continue to be the first choice when quality, relability, consistency and price are concerned. |
