This guide is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of lomi lomi massage, including:
Therapists performing a lomi lomi massage use a combination of breathing and free-form instinctive techniques to open energy pathways, release tension, and remove blockages. The entire body is massaged with long, rhythmic, and sweeping strokes using the hands and forearms, and different parts of the body are often massaged at the same time. Lomi lomi massage can help lower blood pressure and improve circulation, flexibility and immune response. It is also known as Hawaiian lomi lomi full body massage.
The word ‘lomi’ in the Hawaiian language means ‘to knead, to rub, or to soothe,’ as well as ‘the sacred shift that is inspired by the healing kahuna’. The word ‘kahuna’ is derived from ‘huna’, meaning ‘secret knowledge’. The word ‘lomi’ is said twice for emphasis.
Lomi lomi massage was made famous through Hawaiian tourism, but it is also a traditional practice in the neighbouring Polynesian Islands. Hawaiians were said to be the bearers of the ‘light of knowledge’ that surrounded this spiritual practice, and the sacred gift was passed down from generation to generation.
Lomi lomi practices varied by family, region and island and evolved over hundreds of years. Practitioners generally used their forearms, palms, fingers, knuckles, knees, elbows, feet and even stones and sticks during the massage, with or without an emollient (moisturiser).
Like all endeavours in ‘old Hawaii’, lomi lomi was conducted with intention and prayer, and was practised in four contexts:
After American missionaries arrived in 1820, many people living in the Kingdom of Hawaii were converted to Christianity, and various laws were introduced to prohibit ‘heathen’ worship and healing practices. The Legislature of the Kingdom banned curing through ‘superstitious methods’ in 1886, however, it was not subject to legislation until 1945. In 1947, the Board of Massage was established to regulate lomi lomi massage.
The law required practitioners to pass a written test on physiology, anatomy and massage theory. Many renowned native healers were unwilling or unable to pass the test, and lomi lomi as a restorative massage was forced underground. However, Legislature passed in 2001 allowed native practitioners to be certified by the Hawaiian medical board. This law is still controversial among some native practitioners, but those who are certified (but not licensed) can still provide lomi lomi without fear of prosecution under Hawaii state law.
There are no set sequences or formats for lomi lomi massage, and therefore no two massages are ever identical. However, the goal is the same—to rejuvenate the body, mind, and spirit by opening up energy pathways and removing blockages.
In lomi lomi massage, the client is not viewed as someone to be fixed, but rather someone being returned to balance and harmony. The therapist is the facilitator of the healing. It is a holistic treatment in that the whole body is massaged, including the front, back, arms, feet and face. For example, if the therapist massages the neck, the energy will move to the shoulders and so on.
This follows the philosophy that the venous, nervous, and respiratory systems are all being balanced through toxin release and lymphatic draining. The nervous system is encouraged to slow down, creating the space for techniques to be effectively applied. This helps to unblock and restore the body to its natural state.
Long, rhythmic and sweeping strokes are administered with the hands and forearms and generous amounts of oil. Full body and under-body strokes help make the body soft, and promote an abundance of free flowing life energy. Strokes may also be quick and invigorating, depending on the client’s preference—the key is that the therapist and client are working in tandem.
Gentle muscle stretches and rotations of joints can be incorporated to assist with the release of tension, and depending on the client’s level of comfort or resistance, the pressure slowly increases into a deep muscle massage. Different pressures and strokes can also be used in combination with heat to assist clients with any injuries.
Different parts of the body can also be massaged at the same time. For example, a therapist’s hand or forearm may work on a shoulder and the other hand or forearm on the opposite hip. By administering range-of-motion work and not working on areas in isolation, a deep sense of harmony and balance can be achieved.
Creating movement in the spine is a primary focus of lomi lomi massage. Some clients may even experience an unwinding similar to that occurring in myofascial release.
Massage of the abdomen is always emphasised in traditional teachings because, in Hawaiin tradition, the colon is considered part of a person’s heart or soul. This helps the elimination process and improves the function of the organs.
The breath is also used to maintain focus and energy flow. Gradually, the practitioner unpeels layers of emotional memory and stored tension, and mana (life force energy) is able to vibrate through the client’s entire body.
Hawaiian lomi lomi full body massage includes many techniques, some of which are similar to those used in Swedish massage, while others are similar to Asian bodywork techniques. Like other massages, lomi lomi massage is generally performed using oils and on a massage table. However, the main difference lies in the Hawaiian traditions woven into the massage. These include the belief that ‘loving hands’ help not only physical tension but also emotional, mental and spiritual blockages.
Lomi lomi massage has many health benefits and can alleviate or cure a wide range of injuries and conditions, as well as the discomforts associated with general health imbalance. The free-flowing strokes that typify lomi lomi massage have many of the same benefits as other types of massage, including traditional Swedish massage. These include:
Choosing to have a lomi lomi massage can be challenging, especially if you have never received the treatment before.
Here are some guidelines to follow:
Once you’ve found a potential lomi lomi massage therapist, it is worth asking them the following questions to ensure they are credible and a good fit for you.
Lomi lomi massage inspires healing from a core level and is often referred to as a ‘Loving Hands’ massage. The nurturing effects of the entire body in a lomi lomi massage will enable you to relax, give in and then simply be.
Typically, a therapist will begin your lomi lomi massage by placing their hands gently on your back and remaining still for a few moments. They may ask you to breathe deeply, and your therapist may also incorporate other rituals, including playing traditional music in the background. They will then work intuitively with you to achieve a combination of techniques.
Unlike many massage techniques, lomi lomi takes a minimalist approach with a few or no towels on your body or on the table. This is because therapists rarely massage one part of your body at the same time. Instead, they will move in long flowing motions that may start at the top of your shoulder and go all the way to your foot, for example. The absence of clothing also makes it easier for your therapist to perform underbody strokes without interrupting the flow of the massage.
Some therapists use massage sheets in the usual way, and will just uncover larger areas of your body when access is needed. The more traditional practice involves providing you with small modesty towels to cover yourself.
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