Stone Therapy - Massage School
Learn more about Stone therapy and where you can become certified in this massage technique.
Stone massage or stone therapy is an ancient healing practice. Stone therapy is a type of massage treatment that involves both hot and cold stones.
I welcome my guests, Eliana and Slaven Trinaistic of Stone Waters in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Stone Waters Massage Education
Why should prospective students of massage choose your massage school or program to train as a massage therapist or massage practitioner?
Being established since 2001, and working in the field of massage therapy since 1997, we have significantly grown, both as therapists and as educators. At this point, we feel we can offer a truly comprehensive training program that combines Eastern with Western bodywork. We offer a continuing education type of training that is pursued mostly by registered massage therapists, but we do have beginners in our classes as well as people interested in cross training (such as estheticians, Yoga teachers, naturopathic doctors, etc.) There is no other school that has made a consistent and significant effort to formulate the theory of (hot) stone massage and at least try to bridge the gap between east and west.
What type(s) of massage program do you teach at your massage school, and can you give a definition and background/history on this particular type of massage technique?
We teach primarily Stone Therapy (hot and cold) at several levels (Introductory, Advanced and Advanced with a Clinical Practice) and we provide a home study course for people who cannot reach us. We also work with the general public providing training in pregnancy Shiatsu (for expectant couples) and generally promoting home birthing.
The history of hot stone therapy is still unclear, but our research shows it is based in the Eastern practices rather then Native tradition as is originally thought. The volcanic stones have been used in China and Japan from 6th century onward. The application of acupuncture, cupping and moxibustion diminished a need for stone massage and it eventually disappeared, until now.
What makes your massage school different than the rest?
Well, as we have mentioned previously – it is the combination of styles and techniques we apply that makes us truly unique. Being therapists ourselves, we have a great concern about how therapists use their bodies and their life energy, and we try to work with the Chi while increasing the awareness of the body ergonomics and breathing. Providing a therapy for someone in need is a sort of karma yoga practice too, and it can bring health and joy if the Chi is used in a mindful and balanced way.
How long is your massage program(s), and what kind of commitment is required?
We have realized long ago that massage therapists are busy professionals, and a type of knowledge they use the best is kinaesthetic. Therefore, our courses are short, one, two or 2.5 days the most, with some additional homework to be able to accumulate the number of ours required by a variety of Massage Colleges. In terms of commitment, it does require a sort of discipline because it is a partially self-directed learning, and there is an 8 month deadline for submissions to be completed.
Do you have a program for international students of massage?
At the moment we do not accommodate international students in Toronto, but in the summer we will be teaching in Europe (Croatia). As a matter of fact, next summer (September 2007) we will have another massage therapy retreat that qualifies for CEU’s and provides an opportunity to travel and learn at a beautiful Mediterranean sea. More information can be found at Stone Waters Massage™ Education.
And finally, in your opinion, what makes a good massage therapist or massage practitioner?
The ability to embrace our own humanity is the condition upon which we will be able to grow as therapists. The etimology of the word “therapist” represents someone “who walks with me”. The pace of walk changes, and we as therapists are not always able to follow “the walker” or lead him or her, or be compassionate and patient to be in the background just waiting, but we can try. In this constant effort of trying to be the best human being we could possibly be, we could experience a few truly amazing moments. When healing happens, it affects us all.
For more information on Stone Therapy, contact Eliana and Slaven Trinaistic
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