Why Sacred Stone?
why sacred stone?
Article from December issue of Informed Choice
"Stones are alive but they are in a sweet coma." Dr. Vasant Lad, Ayurvedic Physician
Over many thousands of years many indigenous cultures such as the Australian Aborigines, American Indians and the Ancient healers of India have recognised, honoured and utilised the healing powers of the stones.
Stone massage is an ancient, enduring form of therapeutic bodywork using heated and cooled stones as extensions of the hand. It affects our mental, spiritual, emotional and physical being.
More recently stone therapy has re-emerged and is rapidly being recognised as a powerful and beautiful rejuvenate treatment by some of the most progressive healers in the world. It is gaining a phenomenally positive response from practitioners and clients alike.
Stone Therapy comprises all the traditional benefits of massage with many different aspects of physics such as thermal hydrotherapy, cryotherapy, contrast hydrotherapy, magnetic therapy and compression. Heated stones sooth & release sore muscles. Pointed, textured stones are used as tools for deep sports massage. Cooled stones reduce inflammation and refine the pores. Alternating hot and cold stimulates the circulatory system. The weighted warmth of the stones creates a compression factor which imparts deep relaxation and grounds the client.
However there is much more to this healing modality that some practitioners have yet to realise and that is its sacredness.
Sacred stone therapy emphasizes the harmonious collaboration of healing energies between the client, the therapist and the stones. For healing to take place there must be transference of deep compassion and trust between the therapist and the client. This compassion becomes imprinted within the matrix of each stone.
The stones
Stones are swirling microcosms of energy, of life, or that which is Divine.
Stones belong to the Earth and carry vibrations of both male and female energies. This vibration is referred to as prana in Ayurveda or chi in Traditional Chinese medicine. Most stones have significant healing properties its chemistry, the frequency at which it vibrates and its geometrical form, will determine its healing potential.
There are some things which greatly reduce the prana (healing potential) in the stone. Mechanically tumbled stones have less healing power than those stones naturally tumbled by oceans and rivers. When a stone is polished, the surface undergoes a sealing process, greatly reducing or even eliminating it frequency altogether. The matrix, or internal sub atomic material within the stone, can be damaged and the electro-magnetic field weakened.
The harvesting, cleansing, and honouring of the stones is a crucial component to the healing potential of the stones.
Types of stones
Most stones contain magnetic character, which reorganise the structure of the human energy body to polarizes imbalances within the physical and energetic body
Stones have different mineral compositions and vibrations which will enable various healing potentials. Some stones contain magnetite which makes them more magnetic others repel magnetic forces which assist in drawing out repressed emotions. Sacred stone therapists are encouraged to have a variety of stones in
their set as to tailor the treatment to best suit the clients needs.
Sacred Stone therapy is unique in that it combines a soulful, energetic understanding of the stones and the human bodymind to facilitate healing based on sound scientific principles.
Sacred Stone therapy marries the art of stone bodywork with the amazing ancient science of
Ayurveda.
Why use Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is the most ancient system of medicine known to mankind; it is a fully holistic approach to living.
Ayurveda teaches everything in life is interconnected; there is no split between body and mind. This ancient system of healing empowers us with information regarding the balance of body, mind and spirit.
Ayurveda has had five thousand years to perfect its massage therapies with Shila abyanga (stone massage) just one of the highly specialised treatments available.
Ayurvedic massage often incorporates the use of marma pint therapy which are vital junctions of the body. These marma points are connected with the nervous system, linking the body with the brain thus linking the body with the mind. If the marma points are blocked, the nervous system can not send clear signals to the brain. When the marma points are clear and uncongested, clear thoughts and good health follow.
Ayurveda also uses specialised base oils and essential oils tailored for treatment of individual body/ mind types and treating imbalances.
The healing potential of aromatherapy is magnified by heated stone compresses and water as with stone healing, aromatherapy activates the earth element within the body. Consequently these are a perfect union.
What can you expect from a sacred stone massage?
Sacred stone therapy marries the art of stone bodywork with amazing science of Ayurveda incorporating the healing power of marma point therapy and aromatherapy. The stones are not used to replace healing hands but as a powerful adjunct to the massage.
Sacred stone therapy is a 75 minute treatment that includes a marma point facial, it is designed to nurture, sooth, warm, nourish and calm.
Warm crystals and stones are laid upon the body in a sequence following the chakra system.
The stones commence their work immediately melting away areas of tension and carrying you into a deeply relaxed and nurtured state.
Heated textured and silky stones are glided, massaged, spun and edged along the body using goal specific warmed oils.
Heated stones are utilised as compresses on marma points and the chakra systems. clearing, balancing and energising the physical and subtle bodies.
During deep tissue and flushing massage therapy is done using a mother hand (guiding hand) is used to reassure, nurture and stay tuned to the tissue.
A shamanic drum acts as a vibrational healing that stimulates the energy of the stone and moves out unwanted ethereal debris that may have accumulated in the auric field.
Tibetan bells gently signal the end of the sacred stone experience.
This therapy can bring deep tissue release and alignment of the body, mind and spirit.
Article by Natali Joscelyne, the director of Sacred Stone Australia and welcomes enquiries for practitioner referrals and training enquiries.
Email
0412 808 127
Bibliography
Sacred Stone Healing Manual - Karyn Chabot D.Ay.LMT
Ayurvedic Beauty Care Melanie Sachs
Live well the Ayurvedic way to health and inner bliss author Jane Alexander
Dr Vasant Lad