Hi pinkwillow,

IMO I dont think a 1 day course is enough to learn all there is to know in hot stones. I did a 2 day course and even then it was hard push for the Tutor to cram everything in. You have to learn the theory side of it, working safely with the stones and the heaters, how to clean and energize them, contraindications etc etc...then do the practical work. I honestly dont see how they can fit all that in, in one day!

yes thats pretty much what i thought...how many people were on your course? the 1day course nearest me only has 6 people which did make me think maybe it would be ok...

If my memory serves me well I think there was around 8 of us. I

If my memory serves me well I think there was around 8 of us. I suppose it does make a difference if the classes are only small. When we was doing the practical work we ran out of time and 2 ladies didnt get to practice on someone, which was a real shame for them. I still would say I day is not long enough though.

I think it depends on the individual and what you are already qualified in. I must admit, the courses which only have a small group would be the best way forward.
I went on a fantastic one full day course for stone therapy. Learnt absolutely loads, there were only two of us in the class so we did 3hrs praticals using one another. Our course tutor was very exeperienced and full of knowledge she passed on to us.
If you're the type that needs time to take in information then i wouldnt go on a day course, if you soak up information quickly and easily then a one day course is sufficient (if qualified in A&P and massage anyway). I feel that if i went on a two day course in stone therapy, i couldnt possibly see what else the tutor could teach us for two days? as we were virtually on a one-one basis that day! Theory for the first so many hours then practicals all afternoon. It was great, i felt i could easily carry on treatments in hot/cold stone therapy after that one day! I think we are all different.
So my answer would be: its up to you lol 🙂

my course was over 2 days and was a good mix of theory (a & p refresher, marketing, care of stones and health and safety issues etc) and practicals where everyone got a massage and did a massage

I did my course with MSCM in Rickmansworth

Can you let us know where you did your Course please Northwest Chic?
Thanks
orchid x

Hi Pinkwillow,
I did a one day course and came away thinking it was enough. We had manuals to bring home to continue reading but now I come across different things that people do during a hot stone massage and realise that so much was missed out of the course. It taught us the basics with no frills I suppose. There were 4 of us, so it was only a small class.

I don't think a one day hot stone massage course is enough, even with a small group. My hot stone massage training was for 6 days. It was split into 3 days with a month break and then returning for the final 3 days. It was all very hands on and we learnt how to use the hot & cold stones for sports injuries and chronic pain condiitons, we also did some marketing. The month gap in between gave us a chance to pratice and then we learnt some additonal techniques like stretching and trigger point work.

sounds good, who was that with and where?

The 6 day training I did was with Jing Massage + Advanced training in Brighton. They do also run a 4 day intensive hot stone massage course. The 4 day courses are held in Brighton, Edingburgh and Liverpool.
Website for more info is

I went on a one day course shortly after qualifying in swedish and aromatherapy massage. I thought the one day was adequate enough to cover the theory but felt that it didn't cover the routine and application enough. After the course, I took it upon myself to do case studies (they were not required as part of the course) and then I offered short taster sessions before offering the full treatment to paying clients. At the beginning, I didn't feel as confident with the hot stone massage as I did with the normal massage purely because I hadn't done as much training nor had as much experience at performing the massage. A few years on and I feel much more confident with it and I have a lot of clients who have hot stone massage which is great.

I think one day is sufficient if you are competant in massage already.

I think that you tend to use your own routine for hot stone anyway so its more about confidence in holding and using them and different techniques that you can apply.

I would have loved to do La stone therapy but it wasn't to be.

I tend to only use the cold stones on the face.

Hi everyone
I did a one day course on hot stones during my level 3 beauty course and found it adequate, tho this was probably because as others have said, I was learning Indian Head, Aromatherapy and Body Massage on the full course at the same time. There were exhibitors at the Professional Beauty Show this year carrying out hot stone massage which was good to watch and pick up other techniques also.