“Lomi Lomi is a highly spiritual form of body work that originated thousands of years ago
in Polynesia, before being brought to Hawaii.” said Paula Curtiss, Founding Director at Healing Hands School of Holistic Health. “While many forms are passed down from generation to generation, Lomi Ka Ala Hoku, the form taught at Healing Hands, was created by Master Healers (Kahunas) as a ‘Rite of Passage’ ceremony,” she added.
The intention of Lomi Lomi is to help clear the recipient’s Spirit of unresolved issues and help them gain clarity about their their life-path”, said Jennifer Peterson, Staff Instructor. “The Lomi Lomi practitioner’s job is to facilitate a state of Pono Pono for the recipient; that means conflict free and aligned with the Divine,” she added.
Lomi Lomi is based on a Martial Art form called ‘Lua’, and often is often described as a moving meditation for the practitioner. Ideally the bodywork is performed in a harmonious, “sacred” environment accompanied by traditional Hawaiian music. The massage begins with a prayer for the recipient. Then, a hands-on body scan is performed to locate areas of tension before initiating passive joint movement to relax, and warm up the body. A pure coconut oil or an aromatherapy/oil blend is applied as the practitioner ‘dances’ around the table applying smooth, rhythmic, strokes.
Lomi Lomi practitioners use hands, fingers and forearms to execute the massage. Although the modality has a limited number of strokes, each massage is creatively customized for its recipient. While some report feeling a deep sense of calm following their massage, others describe it as emotionally profound. Most, however, do report that the experience opened their hearts, and left them feeling especially loving and connected to themselves and others.
In the Lomi Ka Ala Hoku course offered this Spring (starting June 2nd), Jennifer teaches the traditional, full-body Lomi Lomi massage as well as advanced strokes and techniques. Students practice ‘pule’ or pray-full intention, and are encouraged to find a place of acceptance of their clients’ uniqueness and place upon their life’s journey. Jennifer teaches that it is the practitioner’s un-conditional acceptance of their client that creates a sacred space for healing where the greatest change occurs.
In addition to Lomi Lomi, Jennifer teaches a series three Ayurvedic massage therapies for Healing Hands, namely THE VISHESH; UDVARTANA; and ABHYANGA. An exceptional practitioner and caring individual, Jennifer has earned the distinction of Lead Therapist for the Spa at the Grand Del Mar Resort in San Diego, where she currently practices Lomi Lomi massage, body-work and integrative Spa therapies.
Serving residents through campuses in San Diego, Escondido and Laguna Hills, Healing Hands is considered a trail-blazer for Holistic Health education in SoCal. To date, their top-notch faculty has prepared more than 7,000 students for rewarding careers in Massage Therapy and can do the same for YOU! To learn more, go on-line to www.HealingHandsSchool.com or call (949) 305-2722 in Laguna Hills, or (760) 746-9364 in Escondido.