An experience every body deserves
A Hot Stone Massage on a winter’s morning, while looking at the garden from inside the outdoor studio at the recently opened The Yen Studio, in Airfield, was the ideal way to start my day.
The proud owner and therapist, Estelle Nell, officially opened her outdoor studio on April 18, and she offers several types of massage, including the Balinese Scalp Massage, Aromatherapy Massage, Remedial Sport Massage, Swedish/Holistic Massage, Reflexology, Manual Lymph Drainage, and the Hot Stone Massage, which I experienced.
“I studied at Balancing Touch, Massage and Reflexology Training Institute in Centurion and completed my studies in the first quarter in 2016,” Nell said.
“The meaning of Yen is to have a strong desire or inclination.
“The meaning to me is the yearning to have a life of health and wellness, and fulfilling my desire to benefit others.”
I visited the outside studio, which is located in her garden, for my full body hot stone massage on Friday (June 24).
This was not only relaxing, but the unique experience of the studio being outdoors allowed me to enjoy the tranquillity of the environment, while being treated to a massage intended to restore the balance of my mind and body.
“I want to focus on not only the relaxing qualities of massage, but equally, the health benefits of massage.
“The combination of hot and cold stones act as a pumping action of the capillaries (small body vessels) and lymph vessels where the heat expands the tissue and the cold contracts the tissues and capillaries,” Nell said.
“The stones I use are heavy volcanic rocks, which are naturally shaped and polished by the sea and are sourced from previous volcanic activity.”
What made this hot stone massage unique was not only the experience, but also Nell using the stones as a massage tool, instead of simply placing them on my back and legs.
“The stones are heated up prior to the arrival of the client,” she said.
“By the time that the massage starts, those stones are still extremely hot.
“After absorbing the heat from the stone in my hands, I start the massage by transferring the heat to the body, first by using my hands, until the stones are ready to be used directly on the client.”
The session started with Nell slowly moving her hands over my body, which was already wrapped up under the towels, in order to familiarise herself with my body features and to allow me to become comfortable with her touch.
Not only did she assure me that the massage would be relaxing, she also warned me when she would be using the cold stones, just before she used them, so I knew what to expect.
Nell alternated between the hot and cold stones to such an extent that I was unable to tell which stone was hot and which was cold.
She also massaged my body using aromatherapy oils.
“I, personally, prepare the blends of oils used in all the massages,” she said.
“For the Hot Stone Massage, I use an oil combination of Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang and Lavender.
“But, my personal favourite is a special blend of Cedarwood, Patchouli, Black Pepper and Basil which is a strong woody and earthly smell combination.”
Not only does the name of her studio have a meaning behind it, her choices of oils do, too.
“I would use oils from the era of origin,” she said.
“Some elements of the massage can be traced back to the warriors of ancient Asia 6000 years ago, therefore, I use essential oils that were prominent in that part of the world at that time, such as Cinnamon leaf, Sandalwood, Neroli, Ginger and Jasmine.”
At this studio, various scents of oils are prepared so you can decide what scent you would like to have on your body.
“This will enhance the experience to its fullest, as you will leave with the smell that will indulge your thoughts to the place where you experienced it, The Yen Studio,” she said.
“I promise to guarantee professionalism, dedication and commitment to ensure that you will remember your experience long after you have left.” SR
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