FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions – Products
Q. Why do I need a Stones Heater?
Why shouldn’t I use an electric frypan, rice cooker or crock pot?
This is highly unprofessional, unsafe, unattractive and unreliable. Mary Nelson who is considered the "mother of modern Stone Massage" trialled many methods of heating stones, and determined which was the most effective.
“There are some really fancy heaters, but I haven’t seen any I like better than this heater ” Nelson says, noting its attractiveness, efficiency and economical price. Thanks to Nelson’s trial and error process in heating stones, you don’t have to—and shouldn’t try to—reinvent the wheel. The Stone Heater that Kahuna Hot Stones offers is now a standard in Hot Stone practices world-wide.
These Stone Heaters are designed specifically for the Spa & Beauty Industry, and are perfect for your Hot Stone Massage needs - attractive, functional, and easy to operate & clean.
See Complete Hot Stone Spa Kits
Q. Where does Kahuna Hot Stones source the Stones from, & how are they prepared?
We use high-energy-vortex basalt stone for our massage stone sets. We have ethical sources in Central and South America from where we harvest. They have been power-cleaned, sorted and then evaluated several times by industry professionals for their surface quality before matching & packaging them based on size and function.
The stones are not treated with oil prior to shipping to avoid contamination. You will notice that once you apply any oil or get the stones wet they will take on a darker colour. After the first application, the stones will partially absorb the oil through the microscopic pores that occur naturally in basalt stone. As the stones absorb the oil they may return to their natural colour, which is typically lighter and less vibrant than when they are coated in oil. Once 'seasoned' they will typically take on the darker more lustrous appearance that you see in pictures.
Q. Why are our stone sets less expensive than some companies?
As one of the largest suppliers of natural stone products, we have done a lot of research on what other companies sell to ensure we are not only supplying our customers with the products that they need, but also at a price that is reasonable. Our focus is on providing quality stones; sorted for size, shape and smoothness.
What our research revealed is that there are several grades of stone quality currently available in the market today, and that you truly get what you pay for up to a certain price point.
We are sometimes asked why there are stone sets available that cost hundreds of dollars more; the answer is that they either take inordinate amounts of time to pick stones from river beds (river cobbles are at risk of cracking, and even 'exploding' through repeated heating and cooling), or the company selling them has a huge advertising budget.
These companies also spend a lot on brochures, and trade show appearances. After a certain point, paying more does not equal a better product. We focus on using our expertise in supply chain management and production to ensure that our customers receive the highest quality product at the most reasonable price.
Q. Why are our stone sets more expensive than some companies?
As noted earlier, up to a certain price point, you get what you pay for. Cheap Stone kits tend to have unattractive, mis-shapen stones, cracked & distorted. They are often not matched symetrically, nor be real Basalt, with the correct mineral composition required for holding heat for extended periods of time. We have even heard of plain river stones supplied from Landscapers. This is dangerous, as river stones can crack & explode with continued heating. Also avoid polished stone kits, as these can burn your client very easily.
Q. What colour are your massage stones?
Another marketing myth perpetrated by some companies is that all hot stones should be perfectly round and only the deepest, darkest black.
What determines how well a stone will retain heat, and therefore be useful for Hot Stone massage, is its mineral composition. What determines whether or not a stone is basalt is how it was formed, and the percentile composition of Silica and Iron, as well as a few other trace elements. Basalt stones often come in numerous colours depending on what those other trace elements are; yet their ability to hold and emanate both heat and cold doesn't change.
Frequently Asked Questions – Training
Q. Why would I choose Kahuna Hot Stones over other training providers?
Kahuna Hot Stones offers the most comprehensive and professional Hot Stone training available in Australia.
We are dedicated to offering you the highest quality training & supplies. Backed by over 15 years experience in the Natural Health Industry and International Spas, Kahuna Hot Stones blends the professionalism & polish of a 6 star spa, with the ancient techniques of the Hawaiian Kahuna, to present you the most wonderful style of massage that you will ever encounter.
Kahuna Hot Stones is also dedicated in bringing you training & products at an affordable cost, offering more competitive prices than companies with high marketing budgets.
In Brisbane, courses are run in our beautiful Boutique Clinic in New Farm, so as to train in an active working environment. We also train in-house for a small extra fee, as well as interstate & internationally.
For interstate queries, transport costs are minimal in our highly competitive airline market – compare the price of the whole package: stones, accessories, heater & transport, & you will be pleasantly surprised.
Q. What Training & Experience does your Trainer have?
Founder of Kahuna Hot Stones, Graeme Dopheide has been in the Health & Wellbeing Industry and the International Spa scene for over 15 years. He has been Managing Spas & training staff for most of this time. At present, he is also co-founder with Michelle Ebzery, of the beautiful Boutique Clinic Genesis Bodywork, located in New Farm, Brisbane.
Graeme’s experience in Natural Health began many years ago while training in Chinese Medicine. He also holds a Diploma in Traditional Thai Massage, Certificates in Oriental Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Ka Huna Massage, and Aromaspa. He is a qualified Beauty Therapist and has completed certificates in Business Management. He has travelled the world practicing his art, training in obscure places from local Masters, & has succeeded in attaining a level of professionalism & service, second-to-none.
Graeme is one of the best-known identities in the Brisbane Natural Therapies scene & his successful businesses attract a wide range of satisfied people.
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