Lomi Lomi (also called lomilomi), which is derived from the Hawaiian word lomi, which means massage, is grounded in Hawaii’s native healing philosophy known as Huna. According to Huna, humans need and seek love and harmony. Lomi Lomi addresses these needs as the massage therapist works gently yet deeply, massaging the muscles with continuous, flowing strokes. Also employing breathwork and dance, the therapist allows the client to feel nurtured and relaxed and open to his surroundings.
Lomi Lomi has been practiced by Kahunas (healers) in Hawaii and Polynesia for hundreds of years. Originally, this ancient art was only handed down through families. One of the most famous Kahunas, Aunty Margaret Machado, is the only person state certified in Hawaii to teach Lomi Lomi. In 1940 she decided to share the art of Lomi Lomi with anyone willing to learn. Since, the ancient art of Lomi Lomi has spread throughout the world.
Massage Technique
The client lies directly on a vinyl massage table with a small sheet draped over his body. This enables the therapist to stroke the underbody without interrupting the flow of the massage.
In Lomi Lomi more than one therapist may work together in massaging the body. The massage therapist may use hands, forearms, knuckles, elbows, or stones to stroke different parts of the body simultaneously. To unleash energy blocked within joints, the therapist may manipulate the arms, legs, wrists, knees, elbows or fingers. Following ancient Hawaiian healing principles, the therapist uses special breathing techniques and hula dance movements to encourage the flow of energy.
Practitioners of Lomi Lomi embrace the spirit of Aloha and learn to love others as they love themselves. Therefore, the incorporation of therapeutic touch in Lomi Lomi is as important as the strokes and manipulation. With a loving hand and a loving heart, the therapist restores energy flow and unleashes blockages caused by old grudges and painful memories. Because the therapist most intuitively sense areas of energy blockage, he or she may spend more time on a certain area of the body or work at a faster or slower pace in certain areas.
Holistic Approach
According to the principles of Huna, when harmony is disrupted, the body experiences physical, mental, emotional and spiritual pain. Along these lines, sickness or poor health is a state of tension, which leads to resistance and energy blockage. Lomi Lomi helps by removing blockages, facilitating energy flow, and restoring harmony. Physical effects include improved lymphatic flow and detoxification.
Spas are, by their very nature, holistic. Spas promote physical, mental, and spiritual health and they serve to help their clients achieve a state of total wellness. For these reasons, the Lomi Lomi massage, which has been offered to spa guests in Hawaii, Thailand, Japan and Europe for many years, has recently been added to the massage menu in many American spas.
Resources:
- The Hawaiian Lomilomi Association
- Tracey Lakainapali, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage, Aloha International, accessed Aug 10, 2008.
 |
