Angie's Basics of Massage. Week 6. Lomi Lomi (Kahuna) Massage

Blessings Readers,


Welcome back to the final Basics of Massage. This week I will be giving you insight into Hawaiian Lomi Lomi or Kahuna Massage. This is a beautiful massage with beautiful intention and philosophy.


Lomi Lomi means masseur, masseuse, or massage in Hawaiian language, and the word today is used to describe this Hawaiian massage. The early Polynesian settlers brought their own form of massage and it became something uniquely Hawaiian. It was an indigenous practise that evolved over hundreds of years in isolated villages throughout the island chain. Lomi Lomi is now a common and popular massage modality throughout the world.


To understand the depth of Lomi Lomi massage it helps to have an understanding of the Hawaiian philosophy called Huna. A fundamental aspect of Huna is that everything seeks harmony and everything seeks love. Lomi Lomi massage works gently yet deeply into the muscles with continuous flowing strokes, totally nurturing the body and enabling the recipient to relax, give in and simply be. The focus of the practitioner on the client is deep and complete using nurturing and loving intention.


The massage is given in fluid, rhythmic motion using forearms as well as hands. Another feature is that different parts of the body may be massaged at once. This assists the recipient in totally relaxing as its difficult for the brain to focus on two things at once. By not working on areas in isolation a deep sense of balance and harmony is achieved.
A major difference from other massage is that the person lays directly on the vinyl of the massage table and not on a towel and rather than being covered by towels is covered by a small sheet or towel, leaving most of the body exposed whilst maintaining the recipients modesty. This makes it easier to perform both underbody and full body strokes without interrupting the flow of the massage. In colder weather the room will be heated to a warm level.
Gentle stretches of the body and rotations of the joints are also incorporated to assist the release of tensions and flow of energy. The practitioner may even hum to facilitate energy flow!


Whilst technique is important the priority of Lomi Lomi is of nurturing the recipient, using intuition so the massage is 'right' for the client. Its important to remember that the practitioner does not heal but is the facilitator for the healing! The Hawaiians look at things in terms of energy flow, following the idea that ideas and beliefs can block energy flow as much as muscle tension can. Lomi Lomi helps release these blockages. Thus Lomi Lomi is not just a physical experience, it also facilitates healing on the mental emotional and spiritual levels as well.
On the physical level through Lomi Lomi stress and tension are relieved, blood and lymph flow assisted, and the elimination of wastes and toxins from the body stimulated.


If your feeling stressed, have emotional issues that are troubling you or are just not feeling your usual happy vibrant self, a Lomi Lomi massage (alongside other treatments) may be a fantastic support therapy.
If you would just like to pamper yourself and get back the 'spring' Lomi Lomi massage would be an ideal treat!


This is my last week of Basics of Massage, I hope you found the weeks informative and interesting. The Basics of Massage was an introduction of myself to you, and the therapies I use as part of my practise, plus others that you may wish to incorporate as part of your health programme.
I will be dropping in regularly with lots of interesting information. I still will be covering different massage and bodywork modalities including Remedial and Sports Massage Therapy, plus information on Energy work, tips for wellness physically, mentally, and spiritually.


I'm off to the country for my Christmas holiday break! Am really looking forward to seeing friends and family. Ill be back in the very early new years. I have one day available at my Preston clinic, that being Friday's. I am happy to mobile it to your home as well.
See you January!!


Have a lovely Christmas and an awesome New Years!!