St8newalker (Stonewalker) Geo-Thermal Therapy

Balance ~ Harmony ~ Abundance ~ Peace

St8newalker
Stone Massage
For more than 20 years
Specializing in
Stress and Pain Relief
Geo-Thermal Therapy
Myofascial Release Aromatherapy
605-722-0004
Center your Energies
in the Center of the Nation

Stone_Garden.jpg image by bunnysingswolf

Stone Spa Etiquette & Information

So that you may rest at ease and relax into your Geo-Thermal Therapy treatment with St8newalker in complete confidence and comfort, here is some basic information and a few pointers
for first time stone massage recipients:

Where will my massage or bodywork session take place?
Must I be completely undressed?
Will the practitioner be present when I disrobe?
Will I be covered during the session?
What parts of my body will be massaged?
What will the massage or bodywork feel like?
Are there different kinds of massage and bodywork?
What should I do during the massage or bodywork session?
How will I feel after the massage or bodywork session?
What are the benefits of massage and bodywork?
Are there any medical conditions that would make massage or bodywork inadvisable?
What may I expect from a Stone Massage that is different from another form of massage?

Where will my massage or bodywork session take place?
Your massage or bodywork session will take place in a warm, comfortable, quiet room. Soft music may be played to help you relax. You will lie on a table especially designed for your comfort.

Must I be completely undressed?
Most massage and bodywork techniques are traditionally performed with the client unclothed; however, it is entirely up to you what you want to wear. You should undress to your level of comfort. You will be properly draped during the entire session. For Chair Stone Massage Therapy only shoes and socks need be removed for the foot massage portion of treatment.

Will the practitioner be present when I disrobe?
The practitioner will leave the room while you undress, relax onto the table, and cover yourself with a clean sheet and/or light blanket.

Will I be covered during the session?
You will be properly draped at all times to keep you warm and comfortable. Only the area being worked on will be exposed.

What parts of my body will be massaged?
A typical full-body session will include work on your back, arms, legs, feet, hands, head, neck, and shoulders.

What will the massage or bodywork feel like?
A relaxing Swedish massage is often a baseline for clients. In a general Swedish massage, your session may start with broad, flowing strokes that will help calm your nervous system and relax exterior muscle tension. As your body becomes relaxed, pressure will gradually be increased to relax specific areas and relieve areas of muscular tension. Often, a light oil or lotion is used to allow your muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction to the skin. The oil also helps hydrate your skin. You should communicate immediately if you feel any discomfort so that another approach may be taken. Massage and bodywork are most effective when your body is not resisting.

Geo-Thermal Therapy utilizes warm smooth stones (cleansed and warmed in fresh indigenous waters) and cool gem and mineral stones which are placed in areas of stress or imbalance, applied and sometimes massaged on the skin in the most sublime and energetically effective way for the stones to "dance" and share their healing properties.

Are there different kinds of massage and bodywork?
There are numerous types of massage and bodywork; various techniques utilize different strokes, including basic rubbing strokes, rocking movement, posture and movement re-education, application of pressure to specific points, and more. St8newalker has found after 20 years of massage experience along with her mentorship under traditional tutors in Lakota-Dakota healing arts, that the most effective methods include the use of gentle pressure and temperature of warm and cool gem and mineral stones. Myofascial Release, Swedish Massage, and Aromatherapy are also employed where needed for their added benefits. We can discuss which methods may be most appropriate for you.

What should I do during the massage or bodywork session?
Prior to the massage, feel free to ask the practitioner any questions about the technique or the upcoming session. During the massage, make yourself comfortable. The practitioner will either gently move you or tell you what is needed throughout the session (such as lifting your arm). Many people just close their eyes and completely relax, communicating if/when they need more or less pressure, another blanket, or anything else relevant to the session. If you have any questions regarding the session or about the particular technique you are receiving, feel free to ask.

How will I feel after the massage or bodywork session?
Most people feel very relaxed. Some experience freedom from long-term aches and pains developed from tension or repetitive activity. After an initial period of feeling slowed down, people often experience increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity which can last for days. Since toxins are released from your soft tissues during a massage, it is recommended you drink plenty of water following your massage.

What are the benefits of massage and bodywork?
Massage and bodywork can help release chronic muscular tension and pain, improve circulation, increase joint flexibility, reduce mental and physical fatigue and stress, promote faster healing of injured muscular tissue, improve posture, and reduce blood pressure. Massage and bodywork is also known to promote better sleep, improve concentration, reduce anxiety and create an overall sense of well-being.

Are there any medical conditions that would make massage or bodywork inadvisable?
Yes. That's why it's imperative that, before you begin your session, the practitioner asks general health questions. It is very important that you inform the practitioner of any health problems or medications you are taking. If you are under a doctor's care, it is strongly advised that you receive a written recommendation for massage or bodywork prior to any session. Depending on the condition, approval from your doctor may be required.

What may I expect with Stone Massage that is different from another form of massage?

� This Geo-Thermal therapist provides traditionally mentored life-long relationship and respect for Stone Nation in offering the natural healing energies selected gem and mineral stones gift as apprenticed over years of training and mentorship with Lakota-Dakota "medicine" teachers and practiced alongside and in harmony with well studied modern massage technique, including Myofascial Release Therapy.

� Each stone is ceremonially scrubbed, cleansed and rinsed before each use. Warm stones are heated in pure warm (not hot) water with a drop of grape seed extract added (a natural antibacterial) or naturally warmed by the sun. Cool stones are cleansed and refrigerated or kept cool under the stars overnight, energized in fresh cool spring water for best results before application.

� Stones in the collection of this Stonewalker have not been purchased in "sets" from commercial vendors, but have been intuitively gifted and/or collected over many years from long walks in forests, fields and woods, along sea shores and riverbeds, or gifted from special friends and powerful "medicine" teachers. Out of respect for Stone Nation these are regularly and naturally "re-charged" by placing them out of doors to absorb natural energies from sun and moon as they have done for eons.

Please note: This is not a run of the mill "hot stone massage" as advertised and provided by the majority of practitioners and spas who are well meaning yet misinformed and under-trained in this art. Many of those who attempt to practice stone massage today have only taken a four or eight hour seminar or DVD course, thus what they practice may also be dangerous to clients and disruptive to the best energetic use of stones. Our Stones are never heated to "hot", therefore special thermal mitts, steel tools to remove them from scalding water, or towels that divide clients from the natural healing elements of mineral stones, or stones that have been inappropriately over-heated are not needed nor used by this authentic and traditionally Lakota-Dakota mentored
Geo-Thermal Therapist (Inyan Pejuta Winyan).

� 100% pure Jojoba and/or organic Almond oil are usually applied as theses are most easily absorbed on the skin and help the stream and wind smoothed stones to glide.

� Please let your St8newalker know if you have any allergies, preferences or concerns in advance of application of aromatherapy or essential oils.

� An air ionizer may be in use to continually purify the air, and soft music and/or heartbeat drum may also be employed as a soothing agent. If you prefer complete quiet, let St8newalker know. Ear plugs are also available upon request.

� Sage, indigenous to the Black Hills, traditionally hand picked by St8newalker, cedar and/or sweet grass or California sage may be burned as a candle, the smoke of which is used to cleanse the air and for it�s calming and aromatherapy qualities. These have also been employed for centuries as an integral part of ceremonial Lakota-Dakota (Sioux) �medicine� ways for the best healing effect.

� Purified water (cold and/or in selected herbal teas) are available and offered as a �feast� following the session. It is also suggested that you consume large amounts of fresh water, breathe deeply of fresh air, and get at least 8 hours of rest each night for four nights following your session to compliment the rejuvenation and cellular cleansing/healing processes natural to your best well being.

� Individuals with heart conditions, diabetes or high blood pressure, pregnant women or anyone currently under medical care should consult with a physician prior to participating in any spa treatment.

� Payment for services is best made at the time of arrival, paid in full in advance , with applicable South Dakota Sales tax added,
so that you may then fully relax for the remainder of your time at the spa allowing your mental, physical and emotional focus to be on the application of stones
to your best well being.
Bunny Sings Wolfs' peaceful Lakota-inflective music CDs (folk style with Native flute) are also
available for sale for $15.99 each if you wish to take peaceful reflective meditative music home with you.

� Gratuity is not included in pricing - and therefore
gifting in appreciation of these services is always gratefully accepted

� Gemstones may be selected and strategically placed for their resident influence on natural healing and best energetic balancing properties.

� Inappropriate use of language and/or actions is cause for immediate termination of session.

Cancellation Policy
We understand that unanticipated events happen occasionally in everyone�s life. In our desire to be effective and fair to all clients, the following policies are honored:

24 hour advance notice is required when cancelling an appointment. This allows the opportunity for someone else to schedule an appointment. If you are unable to give us 24 hours advance notice you will be charged the full amount of your appointment. This amount must be paid prior to your next scheduled appointment.

No-shows
Anyone who either forgets or consciously chooses to forgo their appointment for whatever reason will be considered a �no-show.� They will be charged for their �missed� appointment.

Late Arrivals
If you arrive late, your session may be shortened in order to accommodate others whose appointments follow yours. Depending upon how late you arrive, your therapist will then determine if there is enough time remaining to start a treatment. Regardless of the length of the treatment actually given, you will be responsible for the �full� session. Out of respect and consideration to your therapist and other customers, please plan accordingly and be on time.

We look forward to serving you!

Relax
into the calming ancient world of
Inyan Oyate (Stone Nation)
and melt away
the stresses of today.

Restore
your natural life force energies in Balance, Harmony, Abundance, Peace.

Reclaim
your sense of wellness!
Call now to reserve your appointment time and receive a Rewards Card to earn a 15% discount
(buy 6 sessions, get the 7th session FREE)!

605-722-0004

Gift Certificates Available

Balance ~ Harmony ~ Abundance ~ Peace

The information on this page and on the St8newalker website is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice from a modern professional health care provider. Bodywork should not be construed as a substitute for medical examination, diagnosis, or treatment, and it is understood that a Geo-Thermal Therapy practitioner is not qualified by modern "medical" standards to perform spinal or skeletal adjustments, diagnose, prescribe, or treat any physical or mental illness, and that no information offered on forms, website, or in person shall be construed as such. It is also understood that body work should not be performed under certain conditions and that each individual seeking such therapy does so of their own free will and as an expression of their own personal freedom in taking responsibility for their own health and education and/or for their own active participation and intent in manifesting their own healing,
balancing life energies, achieving relaxation and/or relief of stress factors.