The Art of Ayurvedic Stone Massageby Karyn Chabot
Founder of The Sacred Stone Center for Holistic Education and Healing in Middletown, RI
The art of stone therapy is considered to be a powerful, primordial form of healing. According to the ancient science of Ayurveda, which is a Sanskrit word meaning 'science of long life,' each human being is a unique composite of the five great elements - Ether, Air, Fire, Water & Earth. All healing therapies can be connected to one of these five great elements.
Although there are five great elements, there are only 3 doshas or biological principles. All five elements must exist within our bodies and within the universe in order for us to function properly. Hot stone massage, if done in alignment with the ancient principles of Ayurveda, will pacify and soothe the vata dosha within the body. Vata is a Sanskrit word for "what blows or moves". When vata is balanced in the body, it sends a signal to the brain that "all is well."
The roots of hot stone massage Therapy can be found in India. Part of the curriculum at universities in India is a course called "Shila Abyhanga". Shila is a Sanskrit word for stone and abhyanga is a Sanskrit word for oil massage. This course dates back more than 5,000 years as part of the standard protocol for most medical Ayurvedic physicians. Skilled stone therapists are taught to work with the earth energy, which follows the downward flow in the body called apana vayu, a Sanskrit term. The purpose of stone massage is to anchor the root (muladhara) chakra and the second (svadhisthana) chakra of the body. These chakras help our bodies stay connected to the Earth. Many people in our technological society feel disconnected, rushed, high on coffee, over-stimulated and stressed out. When a stone therapist works with the downward flow in the body and anchors the lower chakras, a sensation of tranquility is restored within the mind despite the world around them where people eat their lunch while driving and read their email while listening to voicemail.
Using a sequence that incorporates the stones along with traditional effleurage into a hot stone treatment is essential. Keeping consistent with this sequence will create a comfort zone for the client and will help create a beautiful balance between your hands, the oil and the stones. "The Five Sacred A's" may be helpful while giving a hot stone massage according to Ayurvedic tradition:
1. Attune: Attune & connect with the energy of the stones by holding them or just being with them in a conscious way prior to the session.
2. Anoint & Spread: Anoint the skin with oil, spreading it over the area that we intend to massage.
3. Access & Massage: Access and massage the oil into the skin and determine the texture of the musculature to see where the client may need more attention during the stone application.
4. Activate: Activate the stones by clicking the stones (a pair) you are about to use just prior to the application. This does two things: 1. Awakens the energy within the stones. 2. Signals that you are about to apply the stones to the skin.
5. Apply: Apply the stones by spinning, edging, or gliding.
Here are some bodywork techniques that will sooth the vata dosha during hot stone massage:
1. Use copious amounts of warm, organic oil with the hot stones.
2. Avoid using hot and cold stones on the body at the same time in order to prevent the client from being confused as to whether the overall experience is hot or cold. (Exception: the face.)
3. Use gentle compression with a ten pound sandbag for restorative postural alignment.
4. Incorporate defined, secure draping techniques to create trust and eliminate any fears of possibly being exposed and embarrassed.
5. Provide slow, confident effleurage strokes using wide hands or stones covering as much surface area as possible.
6. Use wringing and squeezing motions as if you are gently squeezing the air out of the body.
7. Focus each stroke towards the feet, hands and root chakra, which are some of the terminal ends of the body. Ayurveda calls this "Terminal Clearance."
8. Activate the downward flow in the body called "Upana Vayu", which is a Sanskrit word meaning "direction towards the earth". Instead of using strokes towards the heart, use strokes towards the feet.
Karyn is the founder of The Sacred Stone Center for Holistic Education and Healing in Middletown, RI. She is a nationally licensed Bodyworker, a graduate of the Ayurvedic Institute in NM, certified Ayur*Yoga Instructor, certified Master Crystologist with the Taomchi Association and holds a bachelor's degree in Alternative Health and Fitness. Her correspondence courses and classes are recognized by the NCBTMB. Visit the website at www.sacredstonehealing.com, email k@sacredstonehealing.com or call toll free 877-832-1372.