Early visitors to the beautiful
The Kahuna
lomilomi were priests who practiced the healing arts
with much reverence, love and spirituality. They believed that physical
discomfort and disease were the results of suppressed emotions, mental
disturbances or spiritual disharmony. The traditional lomilomi
healing session began with a thorough investigation into the nature of the
dysfunction, as well as prayer, fasting and several sessions in the steam hut.
Once the malady was identified, the treatment would often begin with heated
stones and herbal poultices. Then the Kahuna would
massage and use particular lomilomi strokes necessary
for that individual.
One of the common
similarities among lomilomi practitioners of old was
the power and knowledge they had. That is, their ability to communicate deep to
the bones of their patients via their touch through soft tissues, yet being
noninvasive and connecting it all with spirit, says Maka'ala
Yates, a Hawaiian medicine specialist.
The lomilomi technique focused on finding congested areas in
the body and dispersing them, by moving the palms, thumbs, knuckles and
forearms in rhythmic, dance-like motions. Setting the intention for healing,
the Kahuna would also utilize prayer (pule), breath (ha) and energy (mana).
The practice of lomilomi was common within each
Hawaiian community and contributed to a vibrant, healthy society.
Early visitors to
In the 1820's early
missionaries to the
"It
is correct to say that lomilomi encompasses a
massage, but it is not limited to it. Native Hawaiians say the true definition
of lomilomi is reconnecting with spirit."
The tradition of "iki maka lihilihi
a maka alawa" was
noted in a Board of Health report in 1896 by Charles Peterson, M.D., who wrote,
"The practice of Kahunas (sic) in this district
is, I am confident, quietly carried on. The Hawaiians will not expose them, and
investigation only elicits falsehoods and assertions of ignorance. Nearly every
group has its family Kahuna, and
It wasn't until the 1970's
that the laws were changed and Hawaiians were free to pursue their native
heritage and spiritual traditions, without fear of punishment. This freedom
rekindled a flame in the heart of many native people, and led to a resurgence
of interest in their cultural heritage.
Hawaiian elders were sought
out and questioned about their knowledge, and grass-roots organizations sprang
up around them. In 1973, Auntie Margaret Machado, a respected kupuna (elder) from the Big Island, decided to share her
family's knowledge by teaching it to anyone who had a sincere desire to learn,
Hawaiian or not. She felt is was time for the ancient
healing gift of lomilomi to be felt throughout the
world. While Auntie Margaret was criticized by many in the Hawaiian community
for revealing the secrets of lomilomi, it was through
her efforts that lomilomi was brought to the
forefront of a resurgence of interest in native Hawaiian healing.
The Hawaiian Pocket
Dictionary defines lomilomi as a method "to rub,
press, crush, massage, rub out; to work in and out, as
claws of a contented cat." Another translation is, "to break up into
small pieces." In the early 1900's lomilomi was
coined "Hawaiian massage" by the legal system.
"The depth of true lomilomi was virtually limitless in terms of its ability to
offer potential for healing to each patient; however, the government of the
time had to label it" and put in a category, which is not the Hawaiian
way," says Yates. "It is correct to say that lomilomi
encompasses a massage, but it is not limited to it. Native Hawaiians say the
true definition of lomilomi is reconnecting with
spirit."
"Recipients
of a lomilomi treatment often experience freedom from
anxiety, worry, fear and a host of other negative thought patterns."
While lomilomi
is often referred to as a spiritual massage, the technique is also practical
and specific. It is, for example, effective in breaking up calcium deposits and
lactic acid build-up. This is accomplished by a variety of movements, such as
circular thumb strokes that are done in a one-two-three rhythm directly over
the area. Knuckle strokes are used on larger, denser muscles in the same
rhythm, followed by soothing forearm strokes and hacking.
According to Auntie
Margaret, lomilomi has a profound effect on the
health and development of the muscles, and the activity of the blood and nerves
associated with them. It dilates blood vessels, thus improving circulation and
helping to prevent strokes. It relieves muscle spasms and increases the rate of
nutrients brought to the muscles by the blood, with out increasing lactic acid
production. It stimulates the lymphatic system to release waste products, and
is useful after injury to ligaments and tendons by dispersing edema. It also
restores vitality and heightens metabolism.
"True lomilomi in the right hands gives immediate and long-term
results," Yates says.
In addition to lomilomi's
physical benefits are the emotional releases felt during and after a session.
Recipients of a lomilomi treatment often experience
freedom from anxiety, worry, fear and a host of other negative thought
patterns. This freedom comes only when the practitioner is aware of their
responsibility to the client.
"It is a process that
allows the patient to meet the practitioner mid-way in their crisis so healing
can take place." Yates says. "It is the lomilomi
practitioner's responsibility to guide and treat each patient with right
intentions using the correct protocol of treatment based on his/her feelings.
The purpose of lomilomi is to bring alignment back to
the individual in body, mind and spirit."
During a genuine lomilomi session, the therapist is aligned with divine
energy, and keeps his or her heart and mind clear for Spirit to move through
them as a conduit for healing energy. Proper breathing and pure thoughts are
important. According to the Hawaiians, thoughts contain mana,
or energy. When thoughts are combined with touch and breath they are
transferred to the receiver. Therefore the therapist's thoughts must be focused
on love and healing.
If something has occurred
which interferes with the therapist's ability to control their thoughts, then hoóponopono is practiced. Hoóponopono
is a prayer of forgiveness and of making things right. It must be done if we
have harmed another person or ourselves in though, word or deed. According to
Mary Golden, a lomilomi instructor in
"If
you want to change anything in yourself you must change the process of thought
that affects the materialization of consciousness into different forms of
matter and action."
According to Dane Silva,
D.O., a native Hawaiian healing arts practitioner, Hoóponopono
is also used when someone has suffered a serious loss, causing emotional trauma
that runs deep into the internal organs. This affects the spirit, and leads to
internal imbalance and systemic dysfunction. Unless it is corrected and made
right again, a person's thought, feeling and behavior may be negatively
affected. Hoóponopono restores balance and function
within the individual, within the family, within the community and within the
environment (aina). Based on traditional cultural
values and concepts, hoóponopono has been adapted to
work within the fabric of modern society, with each participant observing a
specific protocol. By opening one's heart and mind in a supportive group, led
by a respected family elder or local practitioner, the practice of healing from
within begins.
Lomilomi certification courses are available
in
"All things are made of
pure consciousness – their limited appearance is the condition of
consciousness." Yates says. "Therefore, if you want to change
anything in yourself you must change the process of thought that affects the
materialization of consciousness into different forms of matter and
action." For the Hawaiian medicine person this is the only way to remold
one's life."
The old ways of the Hawaiian
ancestors are being absorbed into a technological world; however, the original
intention of aloha remains. A lomilomi session is a
respite from the outside world; a sacred experience where the massage table
becomes an altar and divinity touches humanity.
It is a mystical meeting
that produces an altered state of consciousness and an incredible sense of
well-being of body, mind and spirit, for the practitioner as well as the
recipient. For it is in sharing aloha that one truly receives its many
blessings.