Native American Indian Stone Medicine

In many of these blogs i have written i have described the benefits of temperature in a hot and cold stone massage, as everyone is familiar with heat and cold.  What i have not described in any detail is the native american traditions and culture that rest behind the temperature treatment.  It is a vast subject, so i will attempt to bring some of the most subtle expressions of their beliefs and practices in my mind.

Inyan Pejuta

Inyan is a Lakota word meaning Stone and Pejuta Medicine.  American indians believe that the physician within is the true healer.  So Pejuta describes a way of healing the spirit through various treatments, ceremonies or herbs.  Pejuta winan or medicine woman and Pejuta wichasha or medicine man are not considered western medical professionals like doctors or physicians.  They are healers who work with Creator to help bring wellness (physical, emotional and spiritual balance) to the individual. 

Shaman

A shaman can be a medicine woman or man but not all medicine workers are considered shamans.  Shamanism is an ancient and primitive method of healing that is used by nearly all indigineous people in the world.  At its core is the belief that our Creator has provided us with all medicines through Mother Earth.  There are many different forms that are passed down from one generation to the next with only that particular lineage being able to carry on the teachings.

Stone Walker

Stones have been part of native american culture for 1000s of years.  Stones are used in Inipi Ceremony or sweat lodge where they assist in the healing process on a spiritual level while cleansing the body of toxins on a physical level.  Though an ancient practice, it is a very current one too with saunas.  The american indians believed the stones recorded the history of Mother Earth (fossils) and archeologists have proved this to be true.  Gem stones are used today to ornate the body as jewellery but they also offer energetic and healing properties.  Getting back to the term stone walker.  This is a a way of describing the practitioner who moves stones from one place to another during a treatment.  It is more humble than saying shaman or healer as these titles require years of apprenticeship.

Mother Earth

Native americans are taught that we are one with all things in creation.  Mitakuye Oyasin means literally all relations which is translated as we are related to the Earth and all its creatures.  Everything Creator has made carries an energy that comes from God, also known as Great Mystery, White Buffalo Calf Woman for the wisdom and medicines she gives, Grandfather for the way we are cared for or Great Spirit.  As they believe that as humans we are related to everything, we are no more important than the trees, the birds, the fish, the animals, the insects and the rocks.  This allows for humility and believing that the practitioners of stone medicine are simply the feet that walk the stones on the body.  This belief system comes from Mother Earth's teachings.  When a hawk flies over head from the East, it signifies change.  If the hawk settles on a post nearby, it means staying put to deal with a situation.  They listen to the sounds of nature and resonate with them.  Their flutes can sing high pitched bird songs or howl deep tones like the wolf.  From the distance of a mountain top, human voices in a village below sing the same song as a great migration of geese.  This is all about living in harmony with Mother Earth.  Modern noise pollution has made it harder to hear the sounds of Mother Earth.  Living in cities, away from the land, eating food with artificial chemicals in and rushing from buildings to cars to offices means many are out of touch with Mother Earth.

Smudge Ceremony

The lakota word is wazilyA which means to create smoke from herbs and draw it over the body during rituals and ceremonies.  It is a ceremony for cleansing, much like incense is used in European churches and Eastern cultures.  The herbs used are sweet grass, sage, cedar, palo santos and other mixtures depending on the tribe and what is available in that region.  Traditionally the herb is placed in an abalone shell, clay bowl or stone vessel and the smoke is directed with the hands, a feather or prayer fan towards the body.  An entire ritual is performed starting at the top of the head and ending at the feet.  Much reverence is given to each part of the body.  The smudging clears away any negative visions at the eyes, asking to see with love, it helps remove the sounds of war, anger, disrespect and fear from the ears, hearing instead what the Great Creator is telling us, it cleanses our thoughts, our minds, and our hearts from stress, animosity and petty grudges.  When it reaches the feet, there are prayers for freedom from burdens too heavy to carry and that we may walk straight on the life path Creator made for us.  The ceremony is always offered with respect and dignity for these good intentions.

Calling Directions

By bringing the energies of the 4 directions:  North, South, East and West, a Sacred Space or Holy Ground is created for ceremonies to be performed. 
East (yellow):  represents the rising sun and signifies new beginnings, change and renewal.  Every morning we forgive ourselves and are reminded that present moment is all that exists.  Symbols include seeds as Spring is the season, air, and the power animals:  eagle, spider, fox and crane.
South (red):  represents the full summer, growth  whether spiritual, physical or mental and abundance.  It takes patience and faith to grow.  Symbols include candles as Summer is the season, fire and the power animals:  coyote, wolf, black panther, gecko and puma.
West (black):  represents the night and is a place of rest, visions and dreams.  Visioning is very important in the native american culture.  Symbols include:  the spiral, earth, Autumn is the season and the power animals:  raven, hawk, owl and bear.
North (white):  represents the winter snow, hibernation and health by slowing down to conserve heat, body fluids and energy  Symbols include mountains, water, Winter is the season and the power animals:  white buffalo, white bear, wolf, reindeer and moose.

These are just a few aspects of the native american indian stone medicine.  I hope it has given you some food for thought in our slightly crazy and frenetic lives we lead!  It only take a minute to stop, and refocus and now is the season for it.

If you would like to book a treatment with Vanessa, either email her at vmansergh@hotmail.com or call on 01491 577480 or 07906186912.

Homeostasis is the stable environment our bodies strive to maintain by constantly adjusting. Its regulation is controlled by the nervous and endocrine systems. The name homeostasis was created by the physiologist Walter Cannon in the 1900s and literally means "balance or equilibrium". The homeostasis process involves 3 main components: the receptor, the control centre and the effector. The receptor picks up data or signals called stimuli which are sent to the brain, the control centre, and the decisions are made.

Let us take the introduction of temperature to the body as an example. Many systems of the body are dedicated to making sure the body remains at its core temperature of 37.7 Celsius. When the balance or homeostasis is disturbed, the body gets to work to correct itself. A good analogy to explain this is War. When soldiers are waiting to go to War or to bring peace, or balance where there has been a disturbance, they hang out in the barracks waiting for direction from the Commander. The body works in the same way. Your brain is the Commander-in-Chief giving orders to all the soldiers that live within the body. These are the enzyme soldiers, immune soldiers, and the blood soldiers to name a few. We are focusing on the blood soldiers. The brain and body are also equipped with runners or informants who are in constant communication with the Commander, reporting the condition on the body.

During a hot and cold stone massage, the hot stones at 50-55 c are introduced to the body first by using the usual warming massage techniques. These stones do not pose a big threat or an attack to the core temperature of 37.7c, although a slight change occurs in the resting temperature. So the informants run to the Commander in a split second and report the change to the periphery of the skin's surface. A few of the blood soldiers are needed. The Commander orders the blood vessels to widen slightly, allowing these blood soldiers to the area. This explains why the skin becomes slightly red and warmer. The Commander even donates some of his own blood soldiers so a slight sedation takes place and the body feels cosy, warm and relaxed.

A cold stone is then introduced to the body which is 40-50c cooler than the hot stone which warrants many more blood soldiers to bring back that homeostasis or balance. The informant in a flash dashes to the Commander and screams "ATTACK!". There is a huge disturbance to all the systems of the body. All the blood soldiers are forced away from the front line - the skin. This is called vasoconstriction. The Commander sends all the troops to the area under attack. Those troops hanging out in the barracks - the kidney, liver, the heart, the lung and all the other vital organs are all sent to the area. They rush there bringing lots of blood - warming and clearing out all organ and muscle tissue in their path. This explains why a cold application creates heat and why hot and cold combined cleanse the vital organ system making It stronger and boosting the immune system.

Homeostasis is important for everyone and is critical to athletic performance. So this year when our athlete's perform in the Olympics, spare a thought for the rigours their bodies will be under! What is key for them is the balanced mechanical function (on top of optimum cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic function) of the musculoskeletal system. Humans can only experience optimal movement, whether running, cycling or swimming when all the muscles and joints are in harmonious coordination without the expense of compensatory mechanisms. This means that having low back pain makes the athlete run slower and consume more energy with every motion. Their reaction times are slower, they fatigue easily and are more vulnerable to injury and post exercise recovery may be delayed.

If you would like to book a hot and cold stone treatment, please contact Vanessa on 01491 577480 or 07906186912.