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Lomi Lomi: the Art of Massage Therapy in Oceania
In Hawaii and throughout Oceania, Polynesian settlers brought the Lomi Lomi style of holistic healing and massage. “Lomi” means “to rub, press, squeeze, and massage,” or “to work in and out, as the claws of a contented cat.” Lomi Lomi is popular in Hawaii, Japan, and Europe, and it is quickly gaining popularity elsewhere throughout the world as not only a means of relaxation but of improving health and one’s quality of life as well.
The definition of Lomi Lomi from Aunty Margaret, (one of the oldest teachers of Lomi Lomi), is: “The Loving Touch - a connection of heart, hands and soul with the Source of All Life!”
Unlike many other massage styles, Lomi Lomi is usually not done in a spa, massage office, or other “shop” type location. Most practitioners prefer to treat clients either at their home or another likewise quiet, intimate setting. Lomi Lomi treatment often incorporates a more holistic approach to health than other forms of massage therapy. Lomi Lomi practitioners often counsel their clients on meditation, proper diet, exercise, and even prayer as means to achieve optimum health of body and spirit. In fact, many practitioners of Lomi Lomi pray or meditate before giving a massage in the hopes that such actions will help them connect better with the soul of their client.
Lomi Lomi is sometimes called “Loving hands” massage because the practitioner focuses on the massage they are giving with a loving heart and loving hands. The goal of Lomi Lomi massage is to help the client achieve harmony of both mind and spirit. This is based on the Polynesian concept of metaphysics called “Huna,” (which is part of the New Thought Movement). The Huna philosophy states that everything in the universe, (not only people and animals but rocks, plants, etc… everything seen and unseen), seeks love and harmony. Lomi Lomi is one way to restore harmony to the body and spirit.
Lomi Lomi technique utilizes long, continuous, flowing strokes to help relax not only the muscles and body but the entire being as well. Huna assumes that memories, patterns, and behaviors are stored not only in the brain, but the cells throughout the body. It follows then that to restore balance and harmony to the body, one must rid the body of toxic behaviors, patterns, memories and substances. By facilitating the release of blocked energy throughout the body, Lomi Lomi helps heal the body and whole self on not only a physical but emotional and spiritual levels as well. Lomi Lomi not only releases blocked energy, but helps to redirect it as well. “Makia” is one of the Hawaian principals of Huna and states that “energy flows where attention goes.” Practitioners of Lomi Lomi massage believe that their job is to be a facilitator for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing for their clients.
Some other useful words in the Huna set of beliefs are: “Kala,” which means that there are no limits; “Pono,” which states that effectiveness is the measure of truth; and “Aloha,” which means a great deal more than “hello” or “goodbye.” “Aloha” means “the joyful sharing of life energy in the present moment” or “to love is to be happy with someone or something.”
Lomi Lomi is not the only type of massage that can help restore balance to the body and mind. Many of the massage techniques available in a massage chair can do so as well, and in the comfort of your own home.
