Stephanies hot stone massage takes you straight to heaven
10/13/2008 - By Natalie Arnold
Having never experienced a hot stone massage before I was extremely excited when I received a gift voucher for one of those not so ordinary massages at Stephanie’s Natural Beauty and Day Spa located at Bulimba in Brisbane’s inner east.
Stephanie’s menu of services describes the hot stone massage as ‘smooth heated stones slowly slide between specified points of the body, inducing deep muscle relaxation, relief of stress and fatigue and increased detoxification to promote overall balance and wellbeing. An addictively blissful experience’.
Well, I have to say truer words were never spoken.
I was warmly greeted by Kelly my therapist who started my treatment with a warm green tea foot soak which I found extremely soothing. I was then moved over to a towel draped massage table for my hot stone therapy.
Kelly was clearly a highly skilled masseuse and her massage technique had a delightful mixture of feathery light touch and intense pressure.
Laying on my tummy with a towel draping my body, warm oil was poured on my legs and deftly massaged in – and so my journey to heaven began. Oh so softly my therapist subtly introduced the hot stones, lightly running the edges of the stones along the backs of my legs and around my angles. Then with more intense pressure as the rocks slowly cooled and became more bearable to touch, the flat sides of the rocks were glided up and down my legs, searching and finding the points of tension and inducing a deep feeling of relaxation.
And so the journey continued, the towel lightly moved down to my legs to reveal by back. Starting with the warm oil again lightly poured over my back, and then first hands and then those lovely black stones eased my tensions and reached out to my muscles.
I was then rolled over onto my back so Kelly could get to work on my arms, hands, shoulders, legs and feet. Those little black stones searched out and found every inch of skin to warm and deeply soothe, leaving me tingling all over. My therapy ended with a wonderful neck and scalp massage that was so exceptional I felt at one stage my head was actually floating on air.
The hot stone massage was so much more than a massage – it was deep, deep therapy for the soul, and I know I have started a lifelong affair with these glossy black stones.
So how hot is hot – the black stones are very hot, so hot in fact you don‘t think you can bear it, but within a few seconds the heat turns to warmth, and you skin and muscles seek out the heat to soothe and calm. In the hands of a skilled therapist there is no pain or burning.
Overall, I truly enjoyed by first experience at Stephanies Natural Beauty and Day Spa, although I did feel the towels and bathrobe felt and smelled overwashed and even a little soapy, and my bathrobe in particular was quite frayed around the edges. I also had to go downstairs to change and then back upstairs for my treatment. Upon completion of my massage I then had to walk back through the main entrance of the spa and back downstairs to the Tranquility Room. Thankfully there was no-one in the entrance foyer or they would have had a mighty shock at my post massage appearance complete with oily hair standing on end and glassy eyes.
I was taken to the Tranquility Room to enjoy my massage after glow and was offered a glass of water. Herbal tea was not offered or available in the room (there was a pot on a warmer before my treatment), and the only reason I can assume for this is that it was the end of the day and the therapists were tidying up.
Stephanies Natural Beauty and Day Spa is located at the river end of bustling Oxford Street, Bulimba, in Brisbane’s inner east, while the flagship Stephanies Spa Retreat is located in the recently refurbished Sofitel Brisbane.
Stephanies spa menu has been designed to include a blend of highly advanced European spa therapies and signature rituals inspired from ancient cultures and modern techniques. Stephanies uses Payot and Thalgo products, along with their own specialised products.
Hot Stone Therapy costs $135 for 90 minutes.
Rating 4/5
Click here for more information about Stephanies Natural Beauty and Day Spa and Stephanies Spa Retreat.
Hot Stone Massage
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