Stone therapy -- a rub without the wincing
Stone therapy -- a rub without the wincing
By Maria Kegel
JAKARTA (JP): The latest leisure sensation to hit the capital
is stone therapy, whose origins can be traced back hundreds of
years to the American Indians.
The therapy has been updated with reflexology in a basic
Swedish massage that benefits the seven chakras (energy centers)
in the body.
"There are seven main chakras and if you place the stones
above them it has a more soothing effect," Miriam van Doorn, a
spa manager and consultant, said.
The treatment starts with six heated stones placed on the
spine above six major chakras. The seventh stone, for the third
eye chakra, is placed on the forehead when the guest is lying on
his or her back.
"Chakras are like open flowers, their energy runs around in a
circle, either clockwise or counterclockwise; sometimes they are
open, sometimes closed. They are like the petals of a lotus,
opening and closing and only a healer can tell if they are opened
or closed.
"What the stones do are open the chakras and this induces a
sleepy effect. It also creates positive energy as it's a very
healing energy that relaxes," she said.
Stone therapy uses long, elongated strokes and it is not an
active massage, with no deep tissue pressure involved.
"It's like a continuous movement, lengthening the muscles and
it's like going back to the womb.
"I think active people may want a massage that hurts in order
for it to be beneficial and they have been used to that for years
and years. But stone therapy is not like that," Van Doorn said.
The massage
The Dharmawangsa Hotel Spa is currently the only venue in town
offering stone therapy. Debbie, a therapist at the spa, said the
treatment's harmonizing and soothing effects calmed the mind and
balanced the body's energy.
We'll see about that. The therapy begins with clients laying
face down and feeling the heat of six medium-sized stones placed
directly on their spine for 15 minutes.
Smaller round flat stones of varying colors are placed on both
calves and between each toe of the foot and these are left in for
the entirety of the session. Finally, a fist-sized rock is placed
in each hand.
Next comes a full-body massage, excluding the breasts and
stomach, done entirely with two large heated stones. The
therapist douses two large rocks in almond oil and places them on
the skin, first smoothing them gently into a small area before
spreading them out in wide circles.
The combination of the warmth and weight of the stones worked
into the muscles of the back in such a gentle yet firm massage
makes it difficult to tell whether they are actually stones or
the therapist's hands.
Massaging the shoulder blades, the backs of the arms and
stroking the back of the neck with the smoothness of the warm
stones reaches right down into those tired, overworked muscles,
instantly relaxing them.
The session ends with the therapist using her heated palms to
press gently down on both shoulders, moving her hands upward
until they cradle the skull. Here she lightly rubs the temples,
touching ever so lightly the area above the eyelids.
And then, with a lingering and final press of her palms on the
forehead, she whispers these horrible words: "Your treatment is
over." Sigh.
So tranquil and relaxing is the treatment, functioning
normally afterward can be a major feat, even if just to dress and
find a taxi. The only activity one should have planned for later
is something sedentary, such as lounging in a hot tub.
A stone therapy session at the Dharmawangsa lasts one hour and
15 minutes. The cost for day guests is Rp 150,000++, while a
member pays Rp 125,000++.