If you are yet to experience a Lomi Lomi massage, allow us to introduce you to what you have been missing out on.
The magic of Lomi Lomi penetrates far beyond the physical body. Although its literal meaning in Hawaii (from where it originates) is to push, pull and knead, its grace and flowing strokes, combined with the intent of Aloha (unconditional universal love) thrown in with some Hawaiian magic, allows true surrender, balance, healing and transformation to take place. It benefits not only the physical body, but the emotional, mental and heart space too.
The History of Lomi Lomi
Lomi Lomi originated in Hawaii, where families used to routinely massage each other to preserve good health, strong body and balance of body, mind and spirit. Through receiving regular Lomi Lomi, one was able to remain connected to spirit (Mana) and open heartedness (Aloha). The harmony between all the energies kept a strong constitution and prevented dis-ease. This is in stark contrast to our western society today where some parents don't tend to touch their children in healing /sensual and loving ways. Indeed, touch has in many ways become taboo. Our experience has shown that many people drawn to learn Lomi Lomi do so specifically to massage and heal their family and extended loved ones.
In the past 10 years, this ancient healing modality has reached many shores outside of Polynesia and is respected by those that teach and practice as a sacred gift.
Therapists are drawn to the sensual/loving and therapeutic aspects of this work as it enables a deeper sacred bond with the client, allowing for mutual trust, and then an authentic mind, body and spirit healing can occur. This sacred bond allows the massage therapist to feel what the client is feeling, making the difference between a relaxing treatment and a transformational one - with long lasting results. It puts you in touch on a deep kinesthetic level and lets you communicate with the body, restoring what needs to be restored and releasing what needs to be released. Acting as a conduit for Mana, the therapist can undertake this work for many hours if necessary, their focus, breath, presence and flow keeping them energised and effective. Working with the breath as a tool sets Lomi Lomi apart from other bodywork modalities as with the breath comes life force.
The Benefits of Lomi Lomi
The rhythmic strokes and graceful hula movements performed by a Lomi Lomi therapist with a loving heart provide a wide range of health benefits. This type of massage increases range of motion, improves energy flow, enhances lymph flow and creates a sense of balance. It also comes with several emotional benefits since it removes energy blockages that cause a variety of conditions, including:
- Muscle tension
- Stress
- High blood pressure
- Sinusitis
- Migraines
- Arthritis
- Glaucoma
- Phobias and fear
- Cancer
Lomi Lomi can be used as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with other therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic and osteopathic medicine.
The Huna Principles
Lomi Lomi is as much a spiritual practice as it is a manual therapy. Lomi Lomi practitioners believe that sickness is caused by an imbalance in one's mental, physical and spiritual energies. They also believe that stress has a strong effect on health; stress causes imbalances between these three energy sources. A Lomi Lomi massage session can help restore harmony to these energies, allowing the body to heal itself of disease and maintain wellness.
During a treatment session, the therapist applies the HUNA principles while massaging certain pressure points to ensure healing on a physical and spiritual level. Most Hawaiian massage training incorporates HUNA (the Hawaiian philosophy of life) and many Lomi Lomi practitioners will embrace Huna in their treatments and lives.
The Seven Huna Principles are as follows:
IKE
The world is what you think it is
Be aware
KALA
There are no limits
Be free
MAKIA
Energy flows where attention goes
Be focused
MANAWA
Now is the moment of power
Be here
ALOHA
To love is to be happy
Be happy
MANA
All power comes from within
Be confident
PONO
Effectiveness is the measure of truth
Be positive
The Differences between Lomi Lomi and Normal Massage
What is the difference between Lomi Lomi and normal massage (we assume normal to include remedial massage, Swedish massage, sports massage and deep tissue massage)? Like other types of massage techniques, it is done with oil and on a massage table.
However, the difference begins with the connection made between the practitioner and the client. The practitioner opens him/herself up to universal energy/love and tunes into the client's body, energy and emotional needs. This creates a safe environment which the client immediately picks up on and the client starts to let go. With Lomi Lomi, the practitioner works with their hands as the instrument of their heart, therefore massaging with an open heart.
The Process of the Lomi Lomi
Most of the client's body is exposed, yet a sarong is used to maintain modesty. This allows for uninterrupted, long flowing strokes in a continuous dance-like motion over the entire body.
The breath is used to maintain focus and energy flow. Gradually, the practitioner unpeels layers of stored tension and emotional memory through these flowing movements. This enables any blockages to be freed and for Mana (life force energy) to vibrate throughout the entire being. As a side effect of all this, the heart surrenders, opens up, and a feeling of connection to everyone and everything is often experienced.
The other secret behind this bodywork is that the whole body is massaged. It is a holistic treatment; meaning if you massage the neck the energy will move to the shoulders and so on. In other words the back, front, face, arms and feet all receive healing. This is always explained to the client before getting on the table.
This works with the idea that the nervous, venous and respiratory systems are all being balanced through lymphatic drainage and toxin release, helping to unblock and restore the body back into its natural state... bringing about sheer bliss.
Originally published on Jul 07, 2007
