Standard Hot Stone Basalt & Chakra Set (45)

Vulsini Basalt Stones:

We have been working with our supplier now for over 12 years and the ‘natural’ Basalt stones that we supply are from South America.  The massage stones originate from very high mountains and volcanoes in the Andean Mountains at about 5000 metres above sea level. The Andean mountains are the youngest and longest continental mountain range in the world, being part of the Ring of fire.

After hundreds of years, fire, earth, wind and water in a constant movement give the Andestones their unique form and texture. The stones naturally accumulated all of Mother Earth’s energy.  Mountains, volcanoes, rivers and the sea participate in this continuous process; this is why every season, Mother Earth gives us new stones.

What is Hot Stone Massage?

Hot Stone Massage dates back to over 2000 years ago in ancient India and China,  and more recently to the North American Indians living in the Southwest States. The traditions and healing rituals in which the stones were used included laying the stones in patterns on the body, carrying or wearing stones for health and protection using stones in diagnosis and treatment of disease or during ceremonies such as sweat lodges or in medicine wheels. Some native healers used heated stones to ease discomforts experienced during menstruation, or applied cold stones to impede blood flow after giving birth. 

Hot stone massage combines the benefits of hydrotherapy and thermalism (or thermotherapy -the use of heat applications) with the strokes of massage using stones to create a deep, relaxing and healing treatment. The heat of the stones warms the skin, which allows for the absorption of moisturising and therapeutic oils, while simultaneously preparing the musculature of the body so the therapist can work into the deeper muscle layers. Benefits of thermotherapy include: increased local circulation, improved blood flow to surrounding tissues, and greater ability to transport toxins and waste products from the area. An ancillary benefit is that the stones provide a wonderful tool that creates a sense of depth in the massage without the extra wear and tear on the therapist's hands.

What is Basalt, and why is it so good for Hot Stone Massage?

Basalt is the most common type of igneous rock used in hot stone massage and is extrusive, which means that it forms when molten lava cools following a volcanic eruption. When the lava cools above ground, or under water, the process occurs rapidly and the crystals that form are small and not visible to the human eye. Below ground, the cooling process occurs more slowly, and the crystals that form are larger. Because of this, igneous rocks are given names based upon two things: composition (what they are made of) and texture (how big the crystals are). Basalt, itself, is considered a mafic silicate rock. Among other characteristics, mafic minerals and rocks are generally dark in colour and high in specific gravity. This is in large part due to the amount of iron, magnesium, and several other relatively heavy elements that mix with the silica and oxygen during the formation process. It is also the presence of these elements that gives basalt stones their ability to acquire, hold, and emanate a consistent and soothing heat for long periods of time.

The surface of the earth is made of igneous rock, with most of the ocean floor being basalt, and most of the continents are composed of granite. When basalt is freshly formed (which is a relative term), it is black or greyish black (even more grey depending on the quantity of nickel present), but will often weather to a reddish or greenish crust.

While there have been great marketing efforts put forth to make people believe that black basalt stones are best used in hot stone massage, the truth of the matter is that all colours of basalt stones can be used for hot as well as cold stone massage, just as long as it is basalt.

Set consists of:

Working Stones 

• 6 x Large - 2.75 x 3.54 inches (7cm - 9cm)
• 8 x Medium - 2.36 x 3.15  inches (6cm - 8cm)
• 8 x Small- 1.58 x 2.17  inches (4cm - 5.5cm)
• 8 x Face - 1.18 x 1.57  inches (3cm - 4cm)
• 8 x Toe - 0.79 x 1.18  inches (2cm - 3cm)

• 7 Chakra Stones