What Is LaStone Therapy? An Interview With Mary Nelson by Jane Thurnell-Read

You may have seen LaStone treatments advertised in beauty salons and spas, but it can be much more than a simple feel good massage treatment as Mary Nelson the originator explained when I asked her about it:

What is LaStone therapy massage and how does it differ from ordinary massage?

I developed LaStone therapy in August 1993. I was praying and my spirit guide started telling me about it, so it was all channelled, and I continue to receive guidance in this way about the development of the therapy. We use basalt stones for the hot stones as they retain heat well. For cold stones we use ones with limestone calcite as the base, such as sardonyx, marble, jade and quartz. Hot stones are heated in a special heating unit so that the temperature can be adjusted and monitored; cold stones are chilled in a cooler or on ice.

Instead of using just their hands the therapist offers hot stones to the body, or alternates between hot and cold stones which encourages the body to release a chemical reaction due to the alternating temperatures; thus promoting change within all the systems of the body. The stones are the medium and the hot and cold temperatures are the message. This vascular gymnastics of the circulatory system assists the body in self-healing. Blood, lymph, digestive juices and interstitial fluids move very quickly under heat and cold; this tonifies and strengthens the body.

LaStone is also a spiritual experience; with energy work connecting the client and the therapist to their creator (or whatever the right image is for each of them); it helps to awaken the soul to understand its path. Many people are seeking a connection to body-mind-soul in their everyday life, and LaStone therapy facilitates this.

In our advance courses we teach the use of toning, chakra balancing with crystals and fossilised coral to enhance the full experience of using the mineral kingdom in a body session. In our advance courses we expand the use of alternating temperatures with many different types of therapies such as reflexology, sports massage, facials, energy work, deep tissue work, physical therapy principles and much more.

Who can benefit from it?

Anyone can benefit because the certified therapist can adapt the temperature and the length of time the stones are applied for that persons specific needs and considerations.

What happens in a typical session?

A typical session lasts 1.5 to 2 hours. Stones are applied they will range from hot to warm to cool to cold; depending on the needs and condition of the client's body and internal systems that day. Some of the benefits of stone therapy are promoting the release of tight muscles, sore muscles and organs that are not functioning properly or in need of change. We also use the stones to activate non-functioning emotions or to wake up the meridian system. The therapist alternates between the various temperatures until homeostasis is achieved or there is a change within the area of the body that needed attention.

The therapists are encouraged to bring their own personal practices that are laced within ceremony and ritual to a LaStone session; this will enhance the experience for both the client and the therapist as they are connected to the energies of mother earth through the stone people.

Some therapists choose not to use ceremony or cold/cool stones this makes for a powder puff treatment rather than a body-mind-soul experience. An authentic LaStone therapist receives thorough training in geo-thermo-therapy(SM) principles and practices, and within each of our courses we encourage our students to open their hearts to hear their own connection to their creator and how that is balanced within a ceremonial body session such as LaStone therapy.

How often is LaStone therapy needed?

The powder puff type treatments can just be one-offs, but for the deep treatment both the client and the practitioner have to make a commitment to working with long-term goals the therapist needs to monitor the process, so weekly sessions may be appropriate.

How can a good LaStone therapist be found?

We have a list of certified therapists on our web site. We have therapists in 49 countries and instructors in 15. Also you can ask the question: Do you use hot and cold temperature? If they do, it's a strengthening and tonifying treatment, otherwise its a powder puff treatment.

You can find out more by clicking here to visit the web site of LaStone Therapy, Inc.

You can find a therapist at the LaStone web site, or alternatively, go to our Find A Therapist section choose 'hot stone' from the list of therapies and put LaStone in the keyword field.