INTRODUCING LOMI LOMI
Lomi lomi is a form of Hawaiian therapy which holds that deep relaxation is the best way to encourage the free flow of energy around the body, leading to good health. Using a range of traditional rhythmic techniques, lomi lomi practitioners focus on helping recipients to reach the deepest possible level of both physical and mental relaxation, thereby releasing energy blockages and contributing to a harmonious and healthy way of life.
History
Lomi lomi began as a Polynesian massage technique, brought to Hawaii by settlers over 1,500 years ago. Over time, it developed a uniquely Hawaiian identity, and became a fundamental part of life on the island.
For centuries, lomi lomi was considered a part of medical practice in Hawaii - until it was outlawed as a ‘heathen’ practice by Christian settlers in the 1800s. Despite this, it remained popular as a non-medical treatment, and continued to be used by native Hawaiians and Western visitors alike.
In 2001, legislation was introduced allowing practitioners to perform lomi lomi if they could obtain certification by the Hawaiian medical board (Papa Ola Lōkahi). This allowed native practitioners to legally practice lomi lomi once again, although many still object to the need for certification.
Due to the sacred nature of lomi lomi, its techniques have traditionally been considered a closely guarded secret. Historically, knowledge was passed from practitioners to their own children, who told no-one else the secrets of the medium until it was time for them to choose their own successor.
This tradition has been lost over time, with schools and courses now offering training in lomi lomi to anyone willing to pay an entry fee. Given that secrecy, intimacy and tradition are such vital components of this practice, training delivered to large numbers of people over as little as a few hours is considered to be missing many of the most fundamental aspects of lomi lomi. Although practitioners trained in this new way have been undeniably successful in bringing the practice to the rest of the world, many Hawaiians believe that the only true form of lomi lomi is the one that has been passed from generation to generation, kept secret from the rest of the world.
Techniques
Lomi lomi uses a range of techniques to help the recipient achieve the greatest possible level of relaxation, letting go of physical and emotional tension and allowing energy to flow freely around their body. Lomi lomi methods are designed not only to bring about this relaxation, but also to stimulate the volume and movement of energy in the treatment room.
There is a strong spiritual element to lomi lomi, and traditional practitioners often use prayers and blessings during treatments. They may also perform a kind of hula dance around the massage table or chant and hum. The massage itself is performed in long, fluid strokes that often run the length of the whole body, and sometimes also involves gently manipulating the joints to ease areas of particular tension. Practitioners administer the massage with their hands and forearms, and sticks, hot stones and oils are also often used. The movement of the whole treatment is very rhythmic – the massage, dance and chanting are all performed in a slow, regular pattern, although it can be performed more vigorously if required.
It is believed that massaging two areas of the body at the same time is very beneficial to lomi lomi recipients, as their minds are not able to focus on two places at once, and are therefore encouraged to become quieter and less attached to their immediate surroundings, aiding relaxation. This effect can be achieved by just one practitioner, but it is also common for two or more therapists to work together on the treatment.
During the treatment, recipients lie on a massage table, covered with a light sheet. The majority of the massage is performed on bare skin, and usually lasts for around 2 hours. Many traditional lomi lomi therapists prefer to perform massages in the recipient’s home, as they believe that relaxation is easier to achieve in a familiar and nurturing environment. In modern times, it is not uncommon to receive lomi lomi in a clinic or a spa, but this is counter to many of the discipline’s traditional principles.
There is no set process for a lomi lomi massage – instead, sessions are preluded by a discussion of what the recipient hopes the treatment will achieve. The practitioner then works intuitively – not following a plan, but performing techniques that they feel will best heal the recipient. After the treatment, they will often also often offer advice on lifestyle, diet and other ways of maintaining good health.
Variations
Over time, many variations on lomi lomi have developed and today there are two main types – the traditional Hawaiian (sometimes called ‘Temple style’) lomi lomi, and the contemporary, Western-influenced method. This modern style dispenses with much of the spiritual side of the treatment, focusing more on the physical techniques.
There are also a number of different versions of traditional lomi lomi, as one family could perform and develop a particular technique over several generations, while another family did not use it at all. Given the medium’s lack of a set procedure, these differences did not lead to any major divisions within lomi lomi practice, but some regional variations still exist today.
Influences
Although lomi lomi shares a belief in the importance of energy flow and balance with a number of other therapies, most notably traditional Chinese medicine, it remains a very distinct practice. Its origins as a form of Polynesian massage have certainly not been forgotten, but it now contains many uniquely Hawaiian techniques and embodies distinctively Hawaiian beliefs and values.
Modern forms of lomi lomi have converged more closely with Western practices, particularly Swedish massage. Contemporary practitioners are much more concerned with physical techniques than traditional lomi lomi therapists, and many of the non-physical elements such as chanting, dance, prayer and deep breathing have either been removed or now play a smaller role in the treatment. Traditional lomi lomi is still performed in Hawaii itself, and some practitioners continue to use techniques that have been passed down through their families for generations, but around the world lomi lomi has taken on board many Western influences in recent years.
Mechanism of Action
In order for a person to be healthy, lomi lomi claims that energy must be allowed to flow freely through their body. Illness and pain come about when this energy is blocked, usually by emotional or physical tension, and are relieved when these blockages are removed.
Lomi lomi is also influenced by Huna – a Hawaiian philosophy which states that everything in the world seeks harmony and love. By providing a loving and nurturing treatment which brings the recipient into a harmonious state, practitioners aim to meet this need, leaving the recipient better equipped to heal and live a healthy life.
In lomi lomi, the self is viewed as not just physical, but also composed of mental, emotional and spiritual elements. In order for energy to flow freely, therefore, it cannot only flow around the physical body – it must pass freely through the mind as well. As a result of this, lomi lomi practitioners do not only focus on the physical elements of massage, but also work to relax recipients mentally and emotionally, allowing them to let go of ingrained beliefs, thought patterns and behaviours. They believe that this ‘letting go’ allows energy to be redirected from negative concerns into more positive ones – helping recipients to make long lasting changes to their lifestyle and wellbeing.
The role of the practitioner is extremely important in lomi lomi, as they view themselves as facilitators of healing, not healers themselves. As a result, everything that takes place in the treatment room (including dance, humming, deep breathing and prayer) is done with clear intention and reverence, in order to maximise the potential for the recipient to heal.
In their relaxed state, it is believed that recipients of lomi lomi should become an unresisting and harmonious part of the world, accepting the energy which flows through everything into their own bodies. It is the responsibility of the practitioner to create this opportunity, and in doing so they become harmonious with the recipient themselves. Lomi lomi, therefore, is an intensely personal experience, creating a strong connection between the practitioner and the recipient.
Benefits
Lomi lomi is a great method of releasing muscular tension and stress, and can lead to general feelings of strength, calm and good health. It helps to increase circulation, and can help to reduce pain and treat mild injuries affecting the back, neck and joints including the hips and knees.
Reduced stress can also provide great relief from other symptoms including headaches and breathing problems, although it should be viewed as a supplementary treatment rather than a cure for more serious conditions. The techniques used in lomi lomi can also help to make emotional difficulties (including loss and depression) feel more manageable, and encourage recipients to feel that they are in harmony with the rest of the world.
For some people, attending lomi lomi sessions continues to have an effect on their life once the treatment is over, and they turn to their practitioner for advice on how to improve their lifestyle. A successful treatment should enable recipients to let go of negative thought patterns and behaviours, and help them to live a healthier, more balanced life that continues long after their therapy has finished.
History
Lomi lomi began as a Polynesian massage technique, brought to Hawaii by settlers over 1,500 years ago. Over time, it developed a uniquely Hawaiian identity, and became a fundamental part of life on the island.
For centuries, lomi lomi was considered a part of medical practice in Hawaii - until it was outlawed as a ‘heathen’ practice by Christian settlers in the 1800s. Despite this, it remained popular as a non-medical treatment, and continued to be used by native Hawaiians and Western visitors alike.
In 2001, legislation was introduced allowing practitioners to perform lomi lomi if they could obtain certification by the Hawaiian medical board (Papa Ola Lōkahi). This allowed native practitioners to legally practice lomi lomi once again, although many still object to the need for certification.
Due to the sacred nature of lomi lomi, its techniques have traditionally been considered a closely guarded secret. Historically, knowledge was passed from practitioners to their own children, who told no-one else the secrets of the medium until it was time for them to choose their own successor.
This tradition has been lost over time, with schools and courses now offering training in lomi lomi to anyone willing to pay an entry fee. Given that secrecy, intimacy and tradition are such vital components of this practice, training delivered to large numbers of people over as little as a few hours is considered to be missing many of the most fundamental aspects of lomi lomi. Although practitioners trained in this new way have been undeniably successful in bringing the practice to the rest of the world, many Hawaiians believe that the only true form of lomi lomi is the one that has been passed from generation to generation, kept secret from the rest of the world.
Techniques
Lomi lomi uses a range of techniques to help the recipient achieve the greatest possible level of relaxation, letting go of physical and emotional tension and allowing energy to flow freely around their body. Lomi lomi methods are designed not only to bring about this relaxation, but also to stimulate the volume and movement of energy in the treatment room.
There is a strong spiritual element to lomi lomi, and traditional practitioners often use prayers and blessings during treatments. They may also perform a kind of hula dance around the massage table or chant and hum. The massage itself is performed in long, fluid strokes that often run the length of the whole body, and sometimes also involves gently manipulating the joints to ease areas of particular tension. Practitioners administer the massage with their hands and forearms, and sticks, hot stones and oils are also often used. The movement of the whole treatment is very rhythmic – the massage, dance and chanting are all performed in a slow, regular pattern, although it can be performed more vigorously if required.
It is believed that massaging two areas of the body at the same time is very beneficial to lomi lomi recipients, as their minds are not able to focus on two places at once, and are therefore encouraged to become quieter and less attached to their immediate surroundings, aiding relaxation. This effect can be achieved by just one practitioner, but it is also common for two or more therapists to work together on the treatment.
During the treatment, recipients lie on a massage table, covered with a light sheet. The majority of the massage is performed on bare skin, and usually lasts for around 2 hours. Many traditional lomi lomi therapists prefer to perform massages in the recipient’s home, as they believe that relaxation is easier to achieve in a familiar and nurturing environment. In modern times, it is not uncommon to receive lomi lomi in a clinic or a spa, but this is counter to many of the discipline’s traditional principles.
There is no set process for a lomi lomi massage – instead, sessions are preluded by a discussion of what the recipient hopes the treatment will achieve. The practitioner then works intuitively – not following a plan, but performing techniques that they feel will best heal the recipient. After the treatment, they will often also often offer advice on lifestyle, diet and other ways of maintaining good health.
Variations
Over time, many variations on lomi lomi have developed and today there are two main types – the traditional Hawaiian (sometimes called ‘Temple style’) lomi lomi, and the contemporary, Western-influenced method. This modern style dispenses with much of the spiritual side of the treatment, focusing more on the physical techniques.
There are also a number of different versions of traditional lomi lomi, as one family could perform and develop a particular technique over several generations, while another family did not use it at all. Given the medium’s lack of a set procedure, these differences did not lead to any major divisions within lomi lomi practice, but some regional variations still exist today.
Influences
Although lomi lomi shares a belief in the importance of energy flow and balance with a number of other therapies, most notably traditional Chinese medicine, it remains a very distinct practice. Its origins as a form of Polynesian massage have certainly not been forgotten, but it now contains many uniquely Hawaiian techniques and embodies distinctively Hawaiian beliefs and values.
Modern forms of lomi lomi have converged more closely with Western practices, particularly Swedish massage. Contemporary practitioners are much more concerned with physical techniques than traditional lomi lomi therapists, and many of the non-physical elements such as chanting, dance, prayer and deep breathing have either been removed or now play a smaller role in the treatment. Traditional lomi lomi is still performed in Hawaii itself, and some practitioners continue to use techniques that have been passed down through their families for generations, but around the world lomi lomi has taken on board many Western influences in recent years.
Mechanism of Action
In order for a person to be healthy, lomi lomi claims that energy must be allowed to flow freely through their body. Illness and pain come about when this energy is blocked, usually by emotional or physical tension, and are relieved when these blockages are removed.
Lomi lomi is also influenced by Huna – a Hawaiian philosophy which states that everything in the world seeks harmony and love. By providing a loving and nurturing treatment which brings the recipient into a harmonious state, practitioners aim to meet this need, leaving the recipient better equipped to heal and live a healthy life.
In lomi lomi, the self is viewed as not just physical, but also composed of mental, emotional and spiritual elements. In order for energy to flow freely, therefore, it cannot only flow around the physical body – it must pass freely through the mind as well. As a result of this, lomi lomi practitioners do not only focus on the physical elements of massage, but also work to relax recipients mentally and emotionally, allowing them to let go of ingrained beliefs, thought patterns and behaviours. They believe that this ‘letting go’ allows energy to be redirected from negative concerns into more positive ones – helping recipients to make long lasting changes to their lifestyle and wellbeing.
The role of the practitioner is extremely important in lomi lomi, as they view themselves as facilitators of healing, not healers themselves. As a result, everything that takes place in the treatment room (including dance, humming, deep breathing and prayer) is done with clear intention and reverence, in order to maximise the potential for the recipient to heal.
In their relaxed state, it is believed that recipients of lomi lomi should become an unresisting and harmonious part of the world, accepting the energy which flows through everything into their own bodies. It is the responsibility of the practitioner to create this opportunity, and in doing so they become harmonious with the recipient themselves. Lomi lomi, therefore, is an intensely personal experience, creating a strong connection between the practitioner and the recipient.
Benefits
Lomi lomi is a great method of releasing muscular tension and stress, and can lead to general feelings of strength, calm and good health. It helps to increase circulation, and can help to reduce pain and treat mild injuries affecting the back, neck and joints including the hips and knees.
Reduced stress can also provide great relief from other symptoms including headaches and breathing problems, although it should be viewed as a supplementary treatment rather than a cure for more serious conditions. The techniques used in lomi lomi can also help to make emotional difficulties (including loss and depression) feel more manageable, and encourage recipients to feel that they are in harmony with the rest of the world.
For some people, attending lomi lomi sessions continues to have an effect on their life once the treatment is over, and they turn to their practitioner for advice on how to improve their lifestyle. A successful treatment should enable recipients to let go of negative thought patterns and behaviours, and help them to live a healthier, more balanced life that continues long after their therapy has finished.
Created as part of a series of informative articles on different massage techniques for a private client in 2017.