After my scary Tuesday night, Wednesday late morning I had an appointment for a Stone Massage. It was my first ever and I think I will try to get one once a month! The person who gave me the stone massage was trained by Mary Hannigan from Tucson Arizona who “was a massage therapist wanting a way to be able to work more deeply without causing further damage to her joints and muscles.” Thus creating, “this new therapy which combines massage, thermotherapy, energy work, healing work delivered through the very ‘alive’ gifts of Mother Earth-the stones.
I give it two thumbs up. The whole experience was fascinating. Each stones used was picked specifically for my body. Varying in size and shape they each had it’s own function. Upon getting on the table I had to sit up while the therapist placed stone on the table for me to lie back onto. I was laid back a bit tentively intially expecting that the stones might be too hot. But it was perfect temperature and placement in terms of comfort. Laying back with my eyes closed, easy breaths, I felt like I was seeing moving images. It was dark obviously ’cause my eyes were closed but it reminded me of the night before when my eyes were open but I could see anything. I quickly opened my eyes and found above me lights varying in color and flashing at different intervals. Which turned out to be another form of therapy.
From then I was able to relax and take in the unique sensation of being massaged with stones. First with hot stones and then with hot and cold stones. My body melted in relaxation totally forgetting about the stones that had been placed on my forehead, chest, sternum, and stomach until she removed them. Though the stones were not large or heavy, I felt as if something was lifted with them. It was weird. Oh, I also had stones placed between each of my toes! It was kind of cool, not uncomfortable at all.
It was interesting how my body responded to this massage. Places where I was sore or for instance my left knee that aches sometimes, the stones seems to have gotten hotter. I asked the therapist if the stones were not to hot for her hands? She said that it was just my body responding to the therapy, but that the stones were not any more hot to her touch. She said she could also feel resistance from different muscles groups that were fatigued.
Anyway, that was my experience….now with having had a few more days of concentrated practices I am ready for the Italian Super Cup semifinal match against Bergamo! I feel the team is stronger today than last week.
Those followers who are here in Italy please come out and support us. We need your spirit and energy!
GO CHIERI!
blessings,
Danielle
