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I8217;M getting stoned. It8217;s the feeling of sheer bliss, of letting go and floating like a cloud. It8217;s the best massage I8217;ve...

I8217;M getting stoned. It8217;s the feeling of sheer bliss, of letting go and floating like a cloud.

It8217;s the best massage I8217;ve had in my whole life, and I have tried a whole lot of them: from Swedish to Ayurvedic. But this is different. It8217;s an unbeatable combination of a massage with heat as well as oil. Warm and comforting heat from flat, smooth stones radiates into my palms and down my torso, as these stones are strategically placed all over my body8212;even between my toes. And then Tenzin, the slim young masseuse, applies aromatherapy oil with deft strokes while holding the stones in her palms.

Soft music tinkles in the quiet room filled with an aromatic candle8217;s rejuvenating fragrance. Tenzin continues to place the water-heated basalt stones of varying sizes on my body, while massaging away all my stress and strain. She sterilises the stones with tea-tree oil before placing them.

The heat works like a sedative. I learn that in the case of injuries, they even alternate with cold stones which stimulate the nervous system and oxygenate the body. Right now, I8217;m having the hot stone treatment. This ancient system of rejuvenation seems to be working perfectly as I start to relax.

I was feeling worn out at the start of the massage, but by the end of an hour and a half, I feel like a freshly minted coin: all shiny and raring to go.

8216;8216;It8217;s therma-therapeutic,8217;8217; explains Dr Isaac Mathai of Soukya, the holistic healing centre at Bangalore. 8216;8216;It not only helps you relax, but also relieves muscular aches and pains, improves circulation, works well in cases of rheumatism, fibromyalgia and even insomnia and depression.8217;8217;

This is one of the most amazing massages that they offer at this beautiful, quiet, 30-acre centre. I don8217;t know about you, but I have always been a believer in the therapeutic benefits of massage. Done scientifically and systematically, a massage improves not just skin health oxygenates and lubricates it, muscular health imparts flexibility, removes stiffness and relaxes muscles, but also works on the cardiovascular system increases blood flow, respiratory, nervous and even digestive systems.

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The hot stone massage does all this and more. Now you know why I8217;m getting stoned. Happily stoned!

Soukya, The International Holistic
Health Centre, Soukya Rd,
Sameithanahali, Whitefield,
Bangalore 8211; 560067, India.
Tel: 91-80- 7945001-03
e-mail: infosoukya.com web: http://www.soukya.com

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