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Lomilomi is the ancient form ofHawaiian massage which, literallytranslated, means ‘to rub’. The

massage differs from others in that forearmstrokes and stretching techniques form alarge part of the routine. It was this inparticular that sparked my interest: as asports massage therapist, not only was Ikeen to learn new therapies, but theforearm techniques would remove a lot ofthe strain from my hands.

My arrival When I got off the plane in Kauai, Hawaii,and took my first breath of warm, fragrantair, I knew this was going to be somethingspecial. Four weeks of intense training inHawaiian massage was about to begin. Iwas to meet Dr Maka’ala Yates at thePlantation Cottages. Maka’ala is aChiropractor and Board Member of thetraditional Hawaiian Healing Council. Hehas been bestowed with the Kaonohiaward in Honolulu. The award, presentedevery 2 years, was given to him for hisdedicated service and outstanding work inHawaiian medicine and culture. With this,and many years of experience in teachingLomilomi, I knew I was in good hands.

Maka’ala was already with a few of thestudents and one of our first tasks as agroup was to build a Sweat Lodge. TheSweat Lodge is a ceremonial sauna usedby indigenous people. Historically, SweatLodges were common practice all overthe globe. They appear in several shapesand sizes, but we were to build a dome-shaped Lodge made from branches andthen covered with tarpaulin. We placedlarge stones under an exterior fire, thenremoved and placed these in a hole insidethe hut. Sea water, herbs and spices werethen applied onto the hot stones to create‘The Sweat’.

‘The Sweat’ was to be performed at theend of every Lomilomi level completed.Each Sweat lasts for a few hours and canbe very intense at times. It is a mental andphysical purification process: experiences,desires and wishes are discussed whilstphysically ridding the body of toxins.

History of LomilomiDuring the course of my training manystories were imparted. I was told of howthe Polynesians arrived in Hawaii in the3rd century from the Marquesas, followed

by Tahitian settlers in 1300AD, whoconquered and eliminated the originalinhabitants. When Captain James Cookdiscovered the Hawaiian islands in 1778,this opened the gates to the Westernworld and the era of ancient Hawaii wastruly over. Over time, Christian mission-aries who settled on the island observedand prohibited many traditions, includingLomilomi. Still the Hawaiian monarchswere loathe to dismiss their masseurs, butwith the overthrow of the monarchy in1893 and the ensuing American annexa-tion, native practices lost all protection. In1905, the American Territory of Hawaiibanned native healers (kahunas), andanyone openly practicing traditional healingand massage faced fines or imprisonment.

Lomilomi survived by being secretlypracticed and taught by skilled kahunas. In1973 the law of 1905 was finally revokedand kahunas were once again able topractice Lomilomi legally.

What does Lomilomi involve?Lomilomi is a healing massage, what wewould call today a ‘remedial massage’.Hawaiians believe that negative energy can

Lomilomi

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Anne Ellis, MICHT, travelsto Hawaii to learn the

ancient art of …

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cause blockages in your ‘mana’ (life forceor spiritual power). These blockages canbecome trapped in joints, so variousstretches and rotations are performedduring the massage to ‘release’ thesenegative energies.

After an initial consultation the treatmentbegins with a meditative prayer. Thismental cleansing frees the therapist frompersonal issues and allows him or her tothink openly and intuitively.

Throughout the treatment, an under-standing for the intention of the massageflows through every move. The massagegoes as deep as the recipient can tolerate,so it can be very powerful. It is fluid, rhyth-mical, communicative and nurturing, whichevokes trust with the client. Lomilomipractitioners are taught to love each bodyunconditionally, as if it were their own.

We were also taught the use of hot stonesand towels during a massage. The massagewith hot stones is called Lomilomi Ili’ili.‘Ili’ili’ means ‘flat pebbles in motion’. Heatedbasalt stones are used during the massageto ease acute areas of pain and tension. A

great deal of practice is required to fullyachieve this technique. Many people feelthe ‘energy’ from the stones, therefore thistreatment can be very moving.

The hot towels in Lomilomi concentrateon specific areas of concern. The towelsare repeatedly placed in the problem area,whilst the rest of the massage isperformed. The heat penetrates to thecore of the muscles, softening the tissueand allowing the therapist to sensitivelyincrease depth where required.

When the massage is over there is a quietmoment given. In this time the practitionermay give a silent prayer of thanks orcontemplation. Lomilomi can be invigor-ating or calming, depending on therequirements. A feeling of well-being is hadby all who receive Lomilomi.

Benefits of treatmentLomilomi increases circulation and lymphaticdrainage, helping to rid the body of toxins.Transverse strokes and stretches relax tight,tense muscles. Deep tissue work breaks-upmuscular adhesions which cause restrictedmotion. For the nervous system, it can

reduce pain and nervous tension. Stretchesand rotations improve the elasticity oftendons and increase mobility. Realignmentof muscles, bones and tissue ensures acomplete therapeutic treatment. I was keento offer the treatment as it is beneficial for anumber of conditions: restrictedmovement, sports injuries, work-relatedstress and tension, stress in general, dullaches and pain, arthritis, depression andinsomnia.

ContraindicationsGP permission should be obtained in casesof high fever, contagious and circulatorydiseases, varicose veins, phlebitis, throm-bosis, haemophilia, muscle tears, sprainedligaments and cancer. It is not advisable totreat clients in their first trimester ofpregnancy. Light work is advisable forpeople with sensitive skin, rashes, oedemaor diabetes. Also refer in cases of personaldoubt: it is good practice to be cautious.

Lomilomi is practised in the United States,Japan, Australia and Germany. It isrelatively new to the United Kingdom, butwhen something is this good it cannot stayhidden for long!

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