Hawaiian Lomilomi Massage

What is Lomilomi?

Hawaiian Lomilomi Massage was first practiced by the kahunas and family elders of Hawai’i. Today, lomi is practiced by massage therapists and is performed with prayerful intentions and blessings, deep breathing, music of the islands, hot stones, and guided visualization.  Sessions are usually 90 minutes – 2 hours or can be more of a retreat and last multiple days.

My experience

So I picked the gloomiest fall day in Kansas to treat myself to a Hawaiian Lomilomi massage.  I figured this would be a good thing. Listening to a little ukulele during a massage just might transport my brain away from the gloom & gray of the Midwest into the warm paradise of the islands…It was worth a shot.

I’ve known my Lomi practitioner Tamara Creighton for awhile, but I had never taken the time to experience this type of massage.  I can usually justify a 60 minute massage for overall wellness…but 90 minutes? It seemed like too much of an indulgence…but I got past this…fairly quickly.

This was unlike any massage I had ever experienced.  And I mean that in a good way.  With most massages, I find myself practicing my relaxation techniques to settle and still my mind during the massage.  I usually try not to “think” too much – so that my body & mind can relax and let go. This massage was very different.  As Tamara mentioned at the beginning she would be focused on my external self (my muscles, tissues, body) and I would be encouraged to focus on my internal self (thoughts, feelings, reflections)….I’m paraphrasing that – but that’s what I took away.  So, while Tamara worked with rhythmic, but firm massage techniques and hot stones, she guided my through visualization exercises to reflect on my internal wellness.  What was I carrying around that I needed to let go of today? What stories from my life needed some re-writes or changes? What stories were perfect just as they were and should be cherished?  These were just some of the questions that I heard during my massage…Amazingly, as I would reflect on these things…holding on to some things and letting others go, tension in my body would release and emotions would well up and subside.  I left with my body, mind and spirit feeling nurtured and refreshed.  I also left with a greater awareness of the links between our thoughts and emotions and how those show themselves in the body.  For example, when I have a lot on my plate in terms of responsibilities, obligations, burdens…I feel that load in my shoulders and upper back.   As Tamara noticed this as well and commented, it was a good reminder for me to take time to care for myself and manage that load before I have too much to carry.

For more information

• In Kansas City: http://www.tcreighton.com/hawaiianlomilomimassage.html

• To find a Lomilomi practitioner in your area:

http://www.lomilomi.org/directory