Hawaii is a place where many go to
when they want to relax, rejuvenate
and heal on beautiful beaches, in
lush gardens – and in their tranquil
spas. Today many of the best of
Hawaii's spas pamper their guests
with massages and other treatments
that originate from ancient healing
arts of early Hawaii. But you don't
have to go to Hawaii to experience
these heavenly treatments.
Mainland spas and wellness centers
are increasingly offering Hawaiian
treatments such as the lomi-lomi
massage and the Hawaiian hot stone
massage.
Lomilomi
Simply put, in the Hawaiian language lomilomi translates to massage. As with all of the Hawaiian healing arts, lomilomi is a holistic practice that involves the mind as well as the body.
The early Hawaiians used lomilomi in various ways, including to restore mana (life force or energy), to aid digestion, to indulge ruling chiefs, to bring harmony to families and more. The massage was like all Hawaiian healing arts accompanied by intention, prayer and often recommendations for diet. It was not exclusive to royalty but practiced by everyone.
Today, lomilomi is provided by traditional practitioners in private settings, such as one's home. Traditional practitioners do not generally practice this healing art in public areas such as spas; however, some of the massage schools teach this type of massage; albeit without the spiritual healing arts that accompany it in the traditional sense, such as prayer, mediation and holistic mind/body/spirit techniques.
Holistic healing centers may provide lomilomi that is closer to the traditional practice, then resort spas. Whatever the context it is given, the lomilomi massage may be given with the palms of the hands, thumbs, fingers, elbows, knuckles, feet, sticks and/or stones. It is a deep, ultra relaxing massage.
Hot Stone Massage
Smooth basalt lava stones are used in Pohaku Wela Lomi, a fusion of lomilomi massage and other Hawaiian healing arts. The stones have been polished silky smooth by Hawaii's great rock tumbler – the sea, and then heated in warm water. When placed on the back, the stones heat penetrates muscles and the combination of the warmth and weight of the stones melts away tension. Aromatic oils may be rubbed on the stones for additional benefits. While the stones may also be used with various massage strokes, this is not the foundation of Pohaku Wela Lomi.
As taught in the traditional Hawaiian sense as well as by many holistic practioners, the hot stone massage also brings about mental/emotional comfort not only through the physical relaxation it brings, but also by the grounding effect of the stones that come from the Earth. The mana (life-force energy) of the stones is said to bring about this well-being by reconnecting the individual with the Earth.
Depending on the massage, the stones may be simply placed on the back in areas of tension or they may be carefully placed on and near the energy centers (meridians in Chinese healing techniques such as acupuncture) of the body. By opening these meridians the body's energy is able to flow more freely and release toxins. The effect is revitalization, contentment, calm and overall sense of well-being.
Hawaiian Foods & Healing
Hawaiian healing practices also may include adjusting diet or simply eating healthier foods. While not all of of Hawaii's modern day foods are healthy, the traditional foods were. If you ever have been to a luau or even if you haven't you may have tried some of these foods, such as lomilomi salmon, poi, roasted chicken, an assortment of vegetables including sweet potatoes, as well as coconut, bananas and lots of fish. To learn more, read the article “Traditional Hawaiian Foods.”
Hawaiian Diet and Recipes
© Copyright 2011 by Path2HealthyLiving
Path2HealthyLiving.com
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Hawaiian Healing Arts in Today's World
Courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority, Photo by Sri Maiava Rusden.
