with Eric Stephenson, LMT and John McKelvey, MA, LMBT

Offered twice in 2008:
March 27-28 and October 16-17 | Thursday-Friday, 8:30am-5:30pm
16 continuing education contact hours | $355 | Practitioners only

New Two-Day Format!

Hot Stone Therapy is one of the most popular modalities in the massage and spa field today. This workshop will introduce you to the “magic” of the stones... simple tools that are profoundly healing when used with care and proper intention. You’ll learn how to integrate the stones into your existing practice with ease, providing effects and therapeutic benefits your clients will love!

Many ancient traditions have relied upon the healing properties of hot stones -- from American Indian sweat lodges, to the Chinese practice of laying stones on areas of tension in the body. From a modern scientific perspective, the effects of heat have been proven to release hypertonic muscles, trigger a parasympathetic (relaxation) response in the nervous system and restore fluidity to the connective tissues and joints.

The use of hot stones provides a very soothing and penetrating way of applying heat to the body. They can be placed directly on energy centers and key areas of holding during a massage, as well as used to deliver gliding strokes with the hands. Deeper and more specific work can also be accomplished easily with the stones, saving your thumbs and wrists from undue strain. Discover how the stones can add more creativity and life to your touch therapy practice!

NOTE: Participants will be required to have or purchase their own set of stones and heating device -- a list of suppliers will be sent with registration.


As the Director of Massage Education for imassage Inc., Eric Stephenson teaches nationally for massage schools and professional organizations. A graduate and former faculty member of the Body Therapy Institute, he has additional training in Kinesis Myofascial Integration, Myoskeletal Alignment Technique®, and is a graduate of The Spirit of Learning®. He is passionate about integrating massage therapy with the stones, and personally harvested his own from a glacial lagoon in Iceland.

Eric strives to create a positive, creative class environment honoring each student’s learning style. He is a Kentucky Licensed Massage Therapist, and is Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. For more information please visit: www.imassageinc.com


John McKelvey has a master’s degree in geology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a bachelor’s degree in natural resources from the University of the South (Tennessee). He is BTI graduate and faculty member, NC Licensed Massage & Bodywork Therapist (#1592), Nationally Certified, ABMP member, and a graduate of The Spirit of Learning® Teacher Certification Program. John has a private practice in Chapel Hill, NC, and is currently completing a certification program in Kinesis Myofascial Integration.

Click here to register for this workshop

Return to PROGRAMS page | Return to Continuing Education page