Hawaiian Lomilomi

Aloha!
It is an honor and a privilege to represent the line of knowledge that has been given to me to pass on to you.

The ancient art of Hawaiian Lomilomi has been practiced for hundreds of years. Lomilomi was practiced by Healer known as ‘Kahuna Lomilomi’.
The Kahuna would spend their lifetime learning and practicing the healing arts, they were taught to use thumbs, hands, ulna’s and elbows to massage.
Lomilomi has a rhythm and flow that is soothing to the recipient and they relax, give in and simply be.

Kahuna’s not only were trained in the physical aspects of massage, they also believed that an important aspect of the healing process was the transfer of positive thoughts from the Lomilomi practitioner to the clients. The Kahuna believed they could channel energy called ‘mana’ or life force and release a sense of well being to the client.  The Island philosophy of Huna is very important to Lomilomi. Huna is based on the belief that everything seeks harmony. All of us wants and moves toward balance.

LomiLomi comes from the Big Island of Hawaii, from the Kahuna’s who cared for the Royal family of King Kamahamaha. He is the King who united the islands


Lomilomi was kept as a secret art and passed within a family. This sacred healing work was first shared outside the Hawaiian family by Kahuna Aunty Margaret Machado when she became a Christian.  She believes that we must respect the human body as a Temple of God. The practitioner does not apply oil to the client, they anoint the body.

Aunty Margaret Machado was born in the early 1900’s and learned traditional Lomilomi techniques from her grandfather. She was the first to teach to those outside her family and then to non-Hawaiians.  Aunty Mary Golden studied with Aunty Margaret and was later my teacher/mentor.

Most modern practitioners tend to concentrate more strongly on the physical rather than the spiritual aspects of this therapy.  I have studied both the spiritually and physically in order to achieve internal harmony. Lomilomi is not just a physical massage; it also allows healing on the mental, emotional and spiritual levels. Huna sees the body as a whole self – when healing is effected in one area, all areas are affected. When harmony is missing in the entire self, the result is pain, physically, mentally, emotionally or spirituality. 

 

Lomilomi is a unique blend of massage, energy and focus work, and spiritual awareness and universal principles of alignment in body, mind and spirit. Lomilomi is relaxing, energizing, realigning and rejuvenating as a healing experience for the practitioner as well as the client.

Symbolically LOMILOMI means ‘to return to the source’, and to rediscover who we really are in body, mind and spirit. Lomilomi literally means ‘to break up into small pieces’.  To allow the tension, the disharmony to break up and dissolve allowing the person to be in harmony.  Lomilomi helps release the blockages, while at the same time giving the energy new direction.

 

 

Lomilomi is a therapeutic and spiritual massage that utilizes rhythm, intuitive touch, movement and conscious breathing allowing the practitioner to ‘access the right brain… feeling the body as if it was his or her own.” A mixture of Mana, rhythm, breath and movement. A connection of heart, hand and soul.


I have learned and practiced the skills/techniques needed to perform a full-body Lomilomi massage session. I was blessed to take a workshop in Hawaii that was ‘hands on’, technique focused. The workshop time was balanced with exploration of the rich experience of the spirit of Huna principles as applied to bodywork. The inspiring grace, strength and integrity of the bodywork make this massage a unique healing experience for both the client and the practitioner.

 

I also studied in Colorado under Aunty Mary Golden. After years of knowing and working with her, it was she who gave me the title of “Aunty” in 2002. Aunty Mary Golden stressed: Each session of LomiLomi starts with and ends with a prayer for the health and balance of the client and practitioner. You pray for God to work through you and allow this client to become in harmony within them. This is why LomiLomi is often referred to as a sacred or spiritual style of bodywork. “Thy will be done” is a simple prayer to use.

She honored me and told me that I needed to continue to teach and share the beauty of Lomilomi.


HO’ONA KE OLA IKA HALE O KA LOMI
            The distresses of life are relieved in the house of massage.

Lokahi is the balance of nature, within and without. Lomilomi tries to harmonize us to this balance.
LomiLomi is the joyful sharing of life energy in the present. The blessing of the hands gift that I share also includes tolerance, forgiveness, acceptance, non judgment, appreciation, compassion, respect and so many other elements. Do no harm, share love, the more you give the more will be returned to you.–“The Breath of Life of the Creator.” It is the source of your “healing” power…. It is the connection of all living things. It is through the use of breath that we are most able to be in the “present.”
Physiologically the focused use of breath by the recipient stimulates the lymph system and eliminates toxins from the body; nourishes the blood and tissues; exercises the abdominal region and stimulates the organs; and initiates a parasympathetic response of the autonomic nervous system.
Every element in this world has its source from a Higher Form, and all things have their common origin from God. His imprint, His breath is upon us all.

Breathing is very important and during the session I may ask you to breathe. The breath is the HA

Laughter is the music of the Gods and requires you to breathe

Peace and blessings
“Aunty” Grace Michelle