Hot stone massage is a specialty massage that uses
smooth, heated stones. They are often basalt a black
volcanic rock that absorbs and retains heat well.

It is a deeply soothing, relaxing form of massage. The
heat helps tight muscles release.

Before you arrive, the massage therapist sanitizes the
stones and heats them in 120 and 150 degree water.

The therapist uses traditional strokes of swedish
massage while holding a heated stone.

Swedish massage is very gentle and is often used to
promote relaxation, improve blood flow and relieve
muscle tension. The therapist uses long, gliding strokes and kneading and tapping techniques on the top layer of muscles in the direction of blood flow to the heart. This may also include moving the joints gently to
improve range of motion.

Acupressure had it's beginnings 4,000 years ago in
China. The Chinese observed that by touching particular points on the body, a certain effect would occur each time. These points used in acupuncture lie along channels called "meridians" which run through the body along specific lines.

Flowing through the meridian is energy of our life
force. The Chinese discovered that this energy must flow evenly through the meridians to maintain good health. They then matched symptoms and the meridian system with the external elements around them (cold, wind, damp, heat and summer heat) and developed their system of medicine.

The aim of acupressure is to allow energy to flow evenly through the meridian, by increasing the breath (oxygen) and circulation (which carries the oxygen through the body). This is accomplished by breaking down the tension and stress points in the body which restrict the circulation, allowing the breath to circulate through the body via the circulatory system.

The tension is broken down by employing finger
pressure techniques applied to any painful point on the
skin and in the muscle system. The application of pressure breaks up the tension located in the points by stretching the tissue. This also forces out the toxins and waste material from the body's cells. The cleaning increases the efficiency of cellular operations and together with the re-oxygenation of the cells and the induced relaxation, the body's energy flows more evenly throughout the body. This results in greater health.