Gathering Your Materials

Find or purchase stones. Stones used in this treatment are typically made of basalt, due to their ability to retain heat. The stones should also be very smooth, so they do not irritate the skin in any way. If you can't find basalt stones, however, smooth river rocks are fine.You can order a hot stone massage kit online from Amazon or eBay, however, if you do not want to buy your stones you can try going to a rock quarry.

You should have anywhere between 20-30 stones, though some professional massages may have upwards of 45-60. There should be at least two large ovals around 8” long to 6” wide, seven stones you can fit in the palm of your hand, and 8 small stones between the size of an egg or a quarter.

Set up your area. If you do not have a massage table, a bed or the floor will be fine. Once you've chosen where the massage should take place, you should lay out a clean sheet or a thick towel for the person you are massaging to lay down on. This will not only help them be more comfortable but also help absorb any excess oil from the massage.

To really create a relaxing environment, try lighting some aromatherapy candles. Soothing scents like lavender, lemongrass, eucalyptus, and vanilla will help immerse your participant in the massage experience.

Heat up your stones. Ideally, you should prepare your stones 30-60 minutes before you begin your massage. The water should be around 120° as the stones will likely cool down to 100-110° when taken out. Remember to wipe each stone down once you’ve removed it.

• To heat the stones, use a Crock-Pot that can hold at least 6 quarts of water or a large tabletop skillet that has sides close to 3 inches.
• As you want the stones to be around 105° when you place them, try putting a candy thermometer in your crock pot or skillet to monitor the temperature. You should also keep the crockpot setting to warm or low, as you don't want the water to boil.
• You should also rub some massage oil on each stone before it's used.

Cover the participant if needed. Before you start the massage you should check with the participant to make sure they are comfortable with the heat of the stones. Some people are going to react differently to different temperatures, and you don’t want to burn them. To prevent this, it’s best to place a sheet or towel down and then put the stones on top of that.

Keep in mind it can take 3-4 minutes for the heat of the stones to penetrate to the skin.