Lomi Lomi Massage
Traditional Hawaiian Massage Therapy
Lomi lomi massage is a traditional Hawaiian healing art. Its history is not well known, but it has been practiced for generations. Traditionally, Hawaiian massage was practiced by kahunas (traditional healers).
It involves both physical and spiritual aspects of healing. Hawaiians believe that memories are stored in all the cells of the body, not just the brain. Negative memories can block the flow of energy in the body. Lomi lomi therapists work to relieve muscle tension while releasing negative memories from cells allowing energy to flow freely through the body. The spirit of love, honor and respect are essential during a massage. The therapist begins and ends each massage with a prayer.
Lomi lomi massage consists of flowing strokes that are done with the hands and forearms. Multiple areas of the body are massaged at once causing the mind to relax. Sometimes lomi lomi is performed by two therapists at once allowing the mind to fall into a deeply relaxed state. The use of the forearms in the massage helps the therapist get deep pressure more easily.
This is an intuitive form of massage so sometimes it is fast and vigorous and sometimes it's slow and relaxing. The way the massage is done will be determined by the therapist after evaluating you.
Lomi lomi is performed on a massage table without a sheet covering it. This allows the therapist to reach under you more easily. Don't worry the table is clean. You will be naked during the therapy, expect for a sheet that will be folded to cover you minimally. This allows the therapist to have access to multiple areas of your body at once. Some people experience emotional releases on the table.
Here is a video demonstrating lomi lomi. You'll notice that the moves the therapist does during the massage are like a hula. It is quite graceful. Try to ignore the unfortunate camera angle.
