Stone Healing Origins
Stone Therapy has been utilized by many cultures across the world, including Africa, Mesoamerica, India, China, Greece, and Native American cultures. This technique traces back over 6000 years. The Chinese Hot and Cold Stone massage technique, for instance, dates back to the Shang Dynasty 1783-1122 BCE, in which hot and cold volcanic stones called Bian Qi Stones, were used in a healing practices. In Mesoamerican cultures Hot Stones have been used in ceremonial ways in the temazcal, a manmade clay or stone hut, to produce similar healing results. One of the traditional forms of Hawaiian healing arts, lomi noho uses hot stones, combined with the seated massage to provide the relaxing benefits of both the massage and the use of heat. In the Vedic tradition, stones are known as Shakti, which can be described as cosmic prana, ki or chi as described in oriental medicine, a counter part to Shiva. Shiva the vibration of the male aspect of the cosmos and Shakti is the vibration of the feminine aspect.  Prana is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘before breath.’, therefore, Shakti is the divine breath of the Mother within the stone. Within this tradition healers are vessels for divine light and energy and stones are conduits with the same dharma, which is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘one’s mission in life’. Stones are infused with the power of mantra, breath, prayer, love, good intention, color and compassion. Since atoms are made of swirling microcosms of energy, holding a stone is analogous to cradling a living stone galaxy within the palm of your hand.  It is a microcosmic house of energy, considered the divine house of God.