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Temple Style Lomilomi & Kahi Loa
Over the last few years interest in either experiencing or learning some form of bodywork, whether a traditional healing art-form, or even a spa style treatment, has increased dramatically. The importance of touch with it’s natural healing qualities was an accepted part of Hawaiian and other ancient cultures and the practice of different styles of Lomilomi or Kahi Loa bodywork was a part of everyday life in the Hawaiian islands. Somehow, in western society, acceptance in the belief of the power of touch is not yet what could be described as 'mainstream'.
Interestingly, though, in 1992 the first Touch Research Institute was formally established at the University of Miami School of Medicine,
and a distinguished team of researchers, representing Duke, Harvard, Maryland, and other universities, set out to better define touch as it promotes health and contributes to the treatment of disease. Since then
more than 90 studies have been carried out on the positive effects of massage, on many functions and medical conditions in varied age groups, showing that touch therapy has numerous beneficial effects on health and well-being. The natural power of touch is no longer in question, whether our interest lies purely in the pleasure of the experience, or health and well-being.
Come and Learn
You might be surprised to know that giving a massage offers almost as much pleasure as receiving one. Learning Hawaiian bodywork lets you get out of your head and into your heart, it means connecting with yourself, and knowing, respecting and loving your own body first of all. It’s about learning to find beauty in every body, big ones, small ones, fat ones, slim ones, young ones, old ones; in whatever colour and form.
Behind the body lies the essence of the person and in Lomilomi and Kahi Loa you touch and connect through focused intent. You become the energy dancer in the theatre of the moment, moving your body attuning to the flow, learning to trust your intuition, and working in and beyond the body.
Come and join us on one of our programmes and you can find out what it feels like to share a Lomilomi or Kahi Loa massage. We have a couple of different options depending on whether you think you’d like to use it professionally or simply enjoy it for pure pleasure; sharing it with friends and family or in a very special way with your partner. You can go to our Workshop page by clicking the link on the floating menu on your right, but read some more here before go.
The Sacred Art
The sacred art of Lomilomi massage that we practice and teach is the same form of bodywork once performed by Kahuna in the temples of the Hawaiian Islands as a sacred rite of passage. It's known as "Temple Style" and sometimes also referred to as Kahuna Massage.
Lomilomi was one of the forms of physical therapy most often used in old Hawai'i. It was often a family occupation with styles varying from family to family. Generally, over a period of many years, the village kahuna would train the family member destined to inherit the knowledge, and refine their skills as a Lomilomi healer.
Having a massage was not simply a way to relax; it was a profound spirituaL, emotional, and physical experience.
Lomilomi and Kahi Loa are part of the broader Hawaiian esoteric system known as Huna. In Huna philosophy there's a basic assumption that everything, and that includes the mind and body, seeks harmony, and when aspects of either are not in harmony this creates imbalance and reduces the level of Life Force energy.
Life Force is viewed in terms of energy flow, and when a body gets out of balance, this creates tension and resistance, blocking energy and making the system sluggish and less effective at delivering peak performance, combating illness and restoring itself to good health. In much the same way as muscle tension, negative ideas or beliefs also block the flow of vital Life Force energy.
The master healers of old Hawaii knew that massage was a very special way to bring the body back into harmony, a way of releasing the body's own healing powers, so that physical, emotional and mental restoration could take place much more quickly and completely. It was highly regarded as a way for renewing the whole body, restoring a feeling of well being, releasing blockages and freeing up energy to find new direction and the pathways to wellness.
The ancient art, once only known by the people of the Hawaiian Islands can now be experienced by you. Lomilomi and Kahi Loa as we practice them today still carry the essence of all that once was. An amazing experience, and so much more than just physical techniques to induce relaxation and ease the stress of the mind and body. Of course technique is important, but more so the focus and intent of the practitioner. Each massage is different, the practitioner being guided by what the body needs.
Lomilomi
Can you even begin to imagine what it might be like to enjoy a Lomilomi? One of our client's describes how they anticipate each Lomilomi, days before they arrive for their appointment. They begin by imagining that sense of just easing themselves down onto the massage table, preparing to melt into the moment, enjoying that comforting feeling of the natural oils soaking into their bare skin, ready to relax, and prepared to let go and begin the journey within their own internal galaxy; transported by the magic touch of long fluid strokes moving over their oiled body, spreading like molecules of mercury. Hmmh! Bliss!!
A full body Lomilomi session can last between one and four hours and on the physical level alone there are so many benefits; muscles eased, stress and tension released, blood and lymph flow aided and the elimination of toxins stimulated. On other levels too much is happening.
Whether coping with the stresses of modern life, striving to enhance work or sporting performance, concerned about general well-being, or just wanting to enjoy a bodywork experience. Lomilomi relaxes, relieves, and even helps to release old limitations stored deep in the cellular memory.
One of the most significant differences that sets Lomilomi bodywork apart from other massage techniques are the graceful flowing strokes. In a fluid rthymic motion the forearms are used, along with the hands, to create long flat strokes moving over the body like gently lapping waves. In a series of flowing hula hip and feet movements the therapist glides around the table connecting with the whole of the body in a shared dance. As energy gets blocked in the joints as well as the muscles, gentle stretches and rotations are also part of the choreography. It's a deeply moving experience, with a touch that transends, bringing the joy of life back into the body and deep peace and relaxation to the mind.
Kahi Loa
To the ancient Hawaiians everything in existence was alive and had an energy vibration. For without energy, nothing could be. They lived their lives close to Nature and perceived themselves a part of it. They thought of all of life as One, made up of seven vital elements, and had a deep understanding of the laws of nature, attributing specific functions and symbolic meanings to each of the elements, and making use of the energies of the:
- Fire and the Sun
- Water
- Wind and Air
- Earth and Stone
- Plants
- Animals
- Humans
Kahi Loa attunes to each of the energies of these vital elements, connecting us easily and effortlessly to our own natural healing abilities and to what is often referred to as our “internal pharmacy”. Here we produce and release endorphins, the body’s own analgesic and “feel-good” chemicals, that create a state of inner calm and deep relaxation, allowing our energy to flow freely. Thoughts themselves, in Hawaiian and other traditions are also known to be forms of energy; a thought is considered to be a “thing”. Positive thoughts have a positive impact on the body energy system and negative thoughts weaken the system, often manifesting in illness.
Kahi Loa bodywork incorporates the principles of using the mind and connection with the forces of nature to help bring the body back into balance. Deepak Chopra, a well known medical doctor and author, often quotes the Indian saying:
"If you want to see what your thoughts were like yesterday
Look at your body today
If you want to see what your body will be like tomorrow
Look at your thoughts today"
Kahi Loa bodywork concentrates on the skin and is carried out fully clothed. It engages the mind and vital elements of nature to harmonise and balance Life Force energies. The head to toe massage is performed in seven stages, on both the front and back of the body with the practitioner lightly raking, rolling, pinching, pressing, tapping, squeezing and sweeping their hands over the entire body. With five million or more sensory receptors, the skin kinaesthetically connects us to our world through the sense of touch, allowing us to experience the sensation of Kahi Loa. At each stage of the process the client focuses mentally on one of the elements, and creates in their mind the desired state of physical and emotional well-being.
Kahi Loa is a guided journey through Nature and comes to an end with a prayer asking for all energy to flow freely into the blessing and manifestation of the client’s required changes.
"Love is like a cleansing dew"
He kehau ho’oma’ema’e ke aloha
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