How is Lomi Lomi Massage different from Swedish massage?
Temple Style Lomi Lomi is a style of massage.  It is sometime called Kahuna bodywork, and there are some unique elements that differentiate it from many typical western style of massage therapy. What is similar is the use of oil on the body.  The client is under draping and lying on a massage table, and oil is applied in long rhythmical motions. There are however, a few important differences between regular massage and Kahuna Bodywork.

1.  Kahuna Bodywork is performed with no intention.  We do not look at the body to see if there is something to ‘fix’.  In regular remedial massage, the therapist may look at the body to see where there are issues to be resolved, or areas of pain.  In Kahuna Bodywork, we see the body as one whole, with an innate intelligence of its own.  All we do is perform the work and apply the chi strokes.  With this shifting of energy within the body, the body is then reminded of better ways of being, and has the ability to readjust and re-balance itself into a more contributing fashion.

2. We apply the work to the whole body – legs, arms, back, chest and neck.  We do not focus on one particular area, or skip another area, as issues are not always in the area of concern of discomfort.  Energy shifts to different locations in the body, and when a therapist is applying all the focus in one area of the body, we can unconsciously be telling the body there is an issue there, when the issue might be elsewhere.  By applying the work to the complete whole, we are allowing the body to remember its own self, and where changes are needed, and giving the space for it to re-balance and adjust itself using its own unique intelligence, rather then us ‘thinking’ we know what the body needs.

3. All the stroking actions that are used throughout the session are applied using chi (or energy).  The motion that is created from the application of this style of work is what takes the client to new spaces within themselves, and shifts the patterns that are no longer contributing.  This motion is the result of a tai chi like movement that is performed on the client.  It connects the body to itself, balances the hemispheres of the brain, and allows clients to synchronize their breath and heart beat almost immediately.

4. The application of Kahuna Bodywork is performed with Kahuna principles.  Kahuna Principles are ways of living that have been followed for thousands of years from before the discovery of Hawaii.  The principles are learnt to understand yourself and others while performing Kahuna Bodywork and for your own life situations.  They are taken from observing and living with nature, and learning fundamentals about the environment and how it evolves and changes.  By applying the bodywork with the application of these same principles, we are speaking a language that the body understands and also speaks.

When all of these elements are in alignment, and performed with 100% commitment by the practitioner, then Kahuna Bodywork has the capacity to take the client to realms beyond the mind, and deeply into the cellular transformation of the body.

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How can Lomi Lomi Massage help me?

Lomi Lomi Massage is great for:
 

• When you are feeling physically drained and tired and are in need of a thorough bodywork treatment to ease tired muscles, aching backs or stiff necks.

• Times of change in ones life – births, relationship changes, travels, new jobs – any time that is a period of transition for you.   It supports you through these changes, and allows for these transitions to be more graceful.

• If you are feeling stuck in life and are not sure which direction to choose.

• If you are ready to move on after something in your life has ended and you want to move into a new space.

• If you need nurturing and are feeling emotionally exhausted and mentally have just had enough.

• If you suffer from fluid retention.  Kahuna Bodywork really promotes drainage.

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What happens during a Kahuna Bodywork session?

Kahuna Bodywork begins with the client covered with a sheet, lying face down on the bodywork table.  Oil is applied and a dynamic flowing rhythmical motion is performed over the body.  All bodywork techniques and moves are applied with Ki (chi) energy.  The soft part of the forearm is used for long sweeping motions, which encourages cell communication, and synchronization of the heartbeat and breath in the client almost immediately.  Both the front and the back of the body are addressed and treatments are  90 min up to 120 minutes mins in length.  You will be draped respectfully with a sheet throughout the entire session.

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More information including the above information

courtesy of our Lomi Lomi

Instructor & Licensed Massage Therapist Edward Miano  

Healing Hands Bodywork