27 May
Stone Massage, What's New, Pet Stone Massage, Health & Wellness, Sonia Alexandra, Energy Healing

Origin of the Word “Massage”

Greetings Fellow Massage Therapists and Healing Enthusiasts,

The words we speak carry tremendous meaning, often more significant than we may even be aware of. Let us delve into the origin and meaning of the word “massage.”

 According to one Etymology dictionary, the English word massage is derived from the French word massage, meaning “friction or kneading.” The French may have borrowed the word massage from colonial India, where the Portuguese used the word amasser, or “to knead” from the Latin word massa, meaning “mass, dough.”  It also may derive from the Arabic word massa, meaning “to touch, feel, handle;”

Remember that you are a member of a select group of healers, who have been touching lives across the world since the beginning of civilization through the power of the healing touch. We are all connected.

 Sonia Alexandra, LMT

28 Mar
Stone Massage, Uncategorized

The Chakra System

“Chakra is an old Sanskrit term meaning ‘wheel’ or ‘circle’ and is generally used to reference specific energy centers along the body’s meridian. Generally there are seven chakra points, although some systems include one or two extra points.” (http://projectinnerpeace.org/what-is-a-chakra/)

7 Chakra’s 
Chakra 1: Base (or Root)
Open: Feel safe, secure and welcome.
Under-Active: Nervous or fearful.
Over-Active: Resist change and are materialistic.

Chakra 2: Sacral
Open: Feelings flow freely.
Under-Active: Unemotional.
Over-Active: Emotional all the time. 

Chakra 3: Solar
Open: Feel in control and assertive.
Under-Active: Passive and Indecisive.
Over-Active: Aggressive.

Chakra 4: Heart
Open: Compassionate and friendly.
Under-Active: Cold and distant.
Over-Active: Smothering.

Chakra 5: Throat
Open: Able to express yourself.
Under-Active: Introverted and shy.
Over-Active: Talkative.

Chakra 6: Brow
Open: Have good intuition.
Under-Active: Rely on other people’s decisions.
Over-Active: Live in Fantasy Land.

Chakra 7: Crown
Open: Feeling connected to the world around you.
Under-Active: Self-denial.
Over-Active: Craving sympathy.

To Learn About Your Personal Chakra Levels…

This Chakra Test will help you determine if your Chakra levels are ‘open’, ‘under-active’, or ‘over-active.

Continuing Education Courses Focus Level 2 Massage and Chakra Balancing Now only $125…We are committed to your success!!!

04 Jan
Stone Massage, Uncategorized

Massage Therapy in 2015

bowl-of-salt-copy-400x298How do you protect yourself?

I am dedicated to making 2015 our best year.

I would like to begin this New Year sharing with you from experience what I believe is an extremely important factor treating a client.
I have been a licensed LMT since the early 70’s no one prepared me for what I can only call energy vampires. We all know what I am referring too. We sometimes go home after a work day exhausted and depleted of energy, and do not know why?

We all know certain clients who just drain us physically and emotionally.
It is imperative you protect your personal space when exchanging any hands – on massage therapy.
A simple effective solution is to begin your day with this intention. Prior to treatment as your client is laying on the table, visualize a sparkling white light and surround your entire aura with it, from head to toe. Now visualize a deep hole on the earth, and tell yourself that any negative energy presence in the room is automatically be directed there. You can also keep a small container of sea – salt under your table for added protection I suggest doing this once daily, you will be amazed at the results.

Sonia Alexandra, LMT

http://www.stone-healing.com

http://www.facebook.com/sonia.alexandra.edu

23 Nov
Stone Massage, Health & Wellness, Sonia Alexandra, Energy Healing

Massage and Lower Back Pain

grieving I find in my personal practice, as well as the industry in general, back pain has increased tremendously, and is one of the most common complaints. Research indicates that qualified massage therapist are generally more effective at dealing with general lower back pain, then other more traditional methods, such as painkillers, anti inflammatory drugs, or physical therapy.

If you have ever experienced lower back pain, then you know the
feeling of pain relief; AHHHHHH what a relief it is.

Depending on the individual situation, always making certain a doctor’s evaluation is shared, different massage techniques can be incorporated. Depending on the particular cause of the pain, some of them are Swedish, warm & cool stone therapy, deep tissue manipulation, etc. are suitable for pain related points, where certain ligaments, joints, and postural alignment are targeted.

Massage therapy speaks for itself, clients report significant lessening of pain as well as improvement of motor function.

Author
Sonia Alexandra, LMT

07 Apr
Stone Massage

Empowerment Through Education

Greetings my name is Sonia Alexandra, LMT and I am the founder of Stone-Healing.com. As the visionary, developer and author of the world-renowned stone massage concept for the spa and wellness industry. As a pioneer and leading authority in the expanding holistic health care field. I have spent over 30 years in the Spa, Clinical and Salon environments, as well as hands-on experience, beginning as a lifelong entrepreneur Massage Therapist, Aesthetic Practitioner, Holistic Spa Owner, Author, Lecturer and Workshop Facilitator, I have dedicated my life to educate others and share my vision on the benefits of massage and its many related therapies which of course includes stone massage therapy.

Continuing education is a vital element to our profession and our program meets your needs so you can satisfy your educational requirements. Whether you want to earn massage therapy continuing education credits for NCBTMB, AMTA, ABMP or your local state organization, I can facilitate your needs with our Stone Massage University programs.

I began my career with humble beginnings in an industry that was in its infancy so my journey was met with many challenges. I have achieved the goals I set for myself and much more. I would like now take the opportunity to give back to all of my colleagues and help them achieve success on whatever level they aspire to.  Be it as therapist, owner or spiritual teacher. I would like to utilize this blog as a helpful tool for all of us to share our insights, new developments and ideas for the betterment of the people, pets and planet.

By: Sonia Alexandra

06 Mar
Stone Massage, What's New, Uncategorized

What’s New in Stone Massage

Monthly, there are thousands of new graduates all over the globe, and I would really like to give back to them through the educational capacity of Stone Massage University.  Because, when I first started back in the early 1970’s as an LMT, I was well aware of the power of touch, but I never set out to change the world. I only wanted establish a positive reputation and bolster the credibility of our industry by changing people’s perceptions of the actual benefits of massage.

It became my life’s work, and decades later, my deepest desire now is to be able to provide the latest information on how to facilitate the trans formative powers of massage, for both new and established practitioners, to the benefit their clients and their professional status.

I believe Stone Massage work is profoundly effective and changes how individual people respond on all levels – physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

As a continuing education provider and industry pioneer, I have spent the last three decades bringing together all the resources  to develop distance learning materials and online e-courses for you.  Now, you have one place that you can turn to and find the educational tools to help you to achieve your personal goals while maintaining your professional standing.  Under my guidance you will discover advancement opportunities you may not have imagined before this.

Whether you are an individual practitioner or a business owner responsible for a group of talented employees, you will find that Stone Massage University was designed to address the needs of the next generation of body work practitioners, so they can expand their horizons, both personally and professionally.  Please know that I am here to be your Personal Holistic Coach and Mentor.

  • Late in 2009, Massage Envy, a national massage franchise, to my delight has added Stone Massage to their service menu.
  • NCBTMB now offers practice exams online.
  • AMTA National Convention in 2009 had largest turn-out thus far, where they welcomed over 1,800 attendees.
  • Liability insurers are now requiring practitioners to be familiar with the Fitzpatrick Classification Scale of Skin Typing, for the application of Stone Massage, Hot Fomentations, Thai Balls, etc.

By: Sonia Alexandra

21 Apr
Stone Massage, What's New

Work Smarter Not Harder

The Spa and Wellness Industry is evolving rapidly, contributing to its success is stone massage, and the fact that it can be incorporated into so many different modalities.

Whether through relaxation or more targeted services Stone Massage has been a popular item on service menus for the past decade and a half.

 

The average burnout time for a massage therapist is approximately five years.

I would like to point out to you that proper training in the correct use of body mechanics while performing massage treatments is of vital importance. Another important factor to consider is the energy protection procedures prior to offering any hands on treatment.

If not implemented properly prior to each treatment,  negative energies can permeate our energy field and  drain us physically as well as mentally, I have personally experienced & also witnessed this in therapists numerous times, this can also be an added factor to burnout, so please remember to protect yourself.

 

Profound tissue massage work, as well as Rolfing and other deep tissue modalities, certainly take a toll on our bodies, especially our back, shoulders, hands and thumbs, affecting your longevity factor as a practitioner

 

I highly recommend using stones as therapy and as a tool, to help facilitate your deeper modalities.

May I suggest finding the perfect stone as your tool for your deeper work, once you feel comfortable with its shape in your hand, the stone you selected should be able to be grasped easily, this will give you leverage you need in your deep tissue work, allowing the stone to absorb the pressure. For the practitioner this will greatly save your hands and help you avoid repetitive injuries.

When preparing the skin for deeper tissue work I always begin by placing warm stones on the area, this greatly helps in relaxing and prepares the tissue for deeper work. I find it to be very beneficial with great results and I hope you do to.

By: Sonia Alexandra

12 May
Stone Massage

Hot and Cold Stone Therapy

The innovation of introducing hot and cold therapy to the wellness and aesthetic industry has its ancient roots as far back as the 19th century.

Doctor Sebastian Kneipp introduced a method that allows the body to become stronger through thermal and mechanical effects.

The temperature of our skin is such that making it reach different temperatures, different sensations and reactions will be produced by introducing hot and cold.

by the 21st century we introduced hot and cold stone therapy used to affect the body’s nervous system, it reacts by influencing the gastric and  hormone secretions.

The stimulus will also travel to a related organ or other destination in the body, cold stimulates and hot slows internal activity.

The alternative use of hot and cold stones  changes on the cellular level, by use of vaso-dialation and constriction. De-congestion of an area is achieved.

This method is highly recommended for LMTs , body workers or anyone involved in the health care field.  If you would like additional information on how to relieve migraines with this hot and cold therapy please send me a comment.

For more information please visit my website

www.stone-healing.com

By: Sonia Alexandra

12 Aug
Stone Massage, Health & Wellness

Make Sinus Pressure Melt Away

Back in March, 2013, The Huffington Post reported that the 2013 allergy season could be the worst yet due to climate changes.  Allergens effect 55% of the U.S. population according to webmd.com, so what is a person to do to keep a clean bill of health?  The answer varies from holistic approaches, home remedies, over-the-counter medications or prescribed medication.  Which method do you prefer?  Here’s our favorites:

At-Home Sinus Remedies

  • Use a humidifier or vaporizer: Keeping your nasal cavities moist will allow them to drain.  If you dry out the membranes, they become more irritated!
  • Drink lots of fluids: Not only is this a good idea for the health of your skin and organs, but fluids thin the mucus and may help prevent your sinuses from blocking up.
  • Massage your sinus pressure points by rubbing your cheeks and forehead.  (There’s a great video on this that we have posted below)

Healing Stone Sinus Remedies

  • Cold Stone Therapy: Cold stones are placed on the sinus trigger points, which alleviates swelling and disperses the congestion.
  • Hot Stone Therapy: By combining the use of a heated towel, eucalyptus aromatherapy and hot stones, your massage therapist will be able to soothe and relax muscles and relieve sinus congestion.

How to Give a Face Massage to Relieve Sinus Congestion

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