In this deeply soothing, relaxing form of massage, Cara Schwartz, CMT, owner of Spirit of Health, uses smooth, heated stones. They are often basalt, a black volcanic rock that absorbs and retains heat well. The heat helps tight muscles release.

What Happens During a Hot Stone Massage?

*Before you arrive, Cara sanitizes the stones and heats them in 120 and 150 degree water.
* She uses traditional strokes of Swedish massage while holding a heated stone. As the stone cools, she replaces it with another.
* Cara might also leave heated stones in specific points along your spine, or in the palms of your hand, or even between your toes to improve the flow of energy in your body.

Cara Schwartz's, CMT, massage practice, Spirit of Health is in Cupertino. She has worked for several chiropractors in Cupertino, Los Gatos and Palo Alto as well as the Ritz Carleton in Half Moon Bay and Marriott Hotels in San Francisco and Santa Clara. Her specialties are Cranial Sacral, Esalen, Deep tissue, Trigger Point Release, orthopedic, Hot Stone and soon Lomi Lomi. Her massages include some energy work. All her massages come from her heart and are relaxing as well as therapeutic. She has studied at the Body Therapy Center in Palo Alto, Esalen Institute in Big Sur and traveled to Maui to learn Lomi Lomi.