If the gods were massaged, I am certain they got HOT STONES MASSAGES. I do not remember much of the actual massage I had this week at Myoka Sands Spa, for after a few minutes into it I was gone and coming out of it was much harder than coming out of general anesthetic! I will share with you how it started and what I learnt about this massage therapy that dates back to 2000 years ago.

The hot stones are volcanic, smooth-surfaced Basalt stones, formed from hot lava exposed to the elements like the sun, wind, heat and cold over thousands of years. These factors press the minerals together forming a concentrated mass of minerals and crystals which properties let them retain heat for a long time. With this information, I did not need much persuasion when the therapist told me that they have magnetic power and can remove negative energy be it physical or psychological.

After all the Romans used to lie on them in their Roman Baths, Native American Women used them to relieve menstrual pains and the Chinese believed they improved the function of their internal organs. But somehow, in today’s western world, we all want to question, doubt and be skeptical which is maybe why, some do not reap the full benefits of these available treatments done by professionals who really know and love what they are doing such as Aleksandra. So for the skeptics, say what you will but for my kindred, this really is a massage on another level!

To get into the spirit, I took some time to enjoy the steam room, which is available and complimentary to anyone having a treatment (along with a sauna, jacuzzi and pool). When I walked into the treatment room, Aleksandra explained that the stones had been heated in sanitizing water prior and that they will be tactfully placed on my body to aid the deep relaxation of muscles which by now we have identified as my most problematic. She told me that so far we had done a lot of work with each massage but with this treatment I was allowed to relax, let go and sleep if I wanted to.

Yeah right! I did not tell her that I had never slept during a massage, mainly because I always want to work with the masseur to release my pains through conscious breathing or maybe because I tend to be a bit of a control freak 😉 Anyhow, as she placed the stones on my back at certain trigger points, their heat began to immerse into me. With some other stones she began the massage which at first I thought is too gentle for my liking but I did not have time to say anything for I began to sink into this precious state of sleep which was interrupted by the end sound of the singing bowl after some 85 minutes. I could not open my eyes, and when I did, I could not open my mouth to speak. So I just smiled… for I felt exhilarated!

Days later I felt that my muscles were still relaxed and that this was the result of the deep work in the tissue the Hot Stones Massage allows the therapist to do. This is the type of heat that indeed relieves pain, opens up the blood vessels so there is automatic increase of circulation, which in turn, delivers more oxygen to the muscles. So if you do not believe in magic, believe in this scientific knowledge and you have your results!