The practice of Lomi Lomi massage originated in ancient Polynesia. When Polynesian settlers first came to Hawaii, Lomi Lomi came with them. Lomi Lomi is a traditional Hawaiian massage that uses a combination of spiritual elements of prayer, humming, breathing, and dance to restore energy and soothe the body. Lomi Lomi massage as the structured technique taught and practiced today was created and promoted by Hawaiian massage masters, chief among them Abraham Kawaii and Margaret Machado.
In the study of HEALTH AND SKINCARE, we learn that the Native Hawaiian spiritual practitioners, or kahunas, continued to use Lomi Lomi as a means of restoration and healing, in concert with other herbal, spiritual, and, ritual medicinal techniques. Today’s Lomi Lomi practitioners are asked to offer a calm mental space and nurturing touch to their clients.
Emphasizing a mind-body connection, Lomi Lomi’s massage treatments affect the client’s physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels. Emphasis is placed on the removal of any negative mental energy the recipient may have, as this is believed to affect physical health. In Hawaii, Lomi Lomi is used to treat children with upset stomachs and soothe women in labor.
Lomi – Lomi translates to ‘rub rub’ in Hawaiian. The trademark of a modern Lomi Lomi massage is continuous, long, flowing strokes applied by the hands, forearms, and elbows to the client’s body. The movements of the practitioner flow seamlessly from one area of the body to the next, with few breaks or transitions.
If you wish to study HEALTH AND SKINCARE, you will learn that the nature of Lomi Lomi means that you probably won’t be able to wear very much, so check with the spa about what you can bring. Bikini bottoms are usually OK – or the spa might even provide disposable paper pants. These steps are taken to avoid interrupting the continuous flow of the massage.
The treatment may be slow and relaxing or faster and more invigorating, depending on how your body responds. You might find that the therapist massages two different parts of your body simultaneously – this is to stop your brain from focusing on any one area and therefore helps to aid relaxation. Sometimes, Lomi Lomi is carried out by two therapists at once to intensify the effect.
Benefits of Lomi Lomi massage
Lomi-Lomi aims to treat the body and mind as one whole being.
It is thought to:
- release tension
- Balanced emotions and breathing
- assist blood and lymph flow
- eliminate waste and stimulate toxins
- rejuvenate the body and mind
- It instills a sense of peace, harmony, and well-being.
- Improves circulation and immune response.
- Increases range of motion and flexibility.
- Lowers blood pressure and slows the heart rate.
- Improves posture and speeds healing.
In the study of HEALTH AND SKINCARE, you will learn that local contraindications mean that you can have a massage but certain areas of your body must not be worked on.
- Varicose veins
- Pregnancy
- Sunburn
- Broken skin, cuts, abrasions, etc.
- Inflammation
- Undiagnosed issues
- Bruising
- Undiagnosed pains
Medical (Absolute) contraindications are conditions that may stop you from having a massage. You should always seek medical clearance if you have any of these conditions before proceeding
- Fever, high temperature
- Skin diseases
- You’ve recently had a major surgery or operation
- You’re under the influence of alcohol, prescription or nonprescription drugs
- You have a contagious disease
- Currently, have or recovering from cancer
- High blood pressure
- You have a history of heart problems
- Diabetes
- Eczema or psoriasis
- Trapped nerves