In the world of SPA massage salons, many Hawaiian massage offers are advertised as the Lomi Lomi Nui ritual. In reality, however, it is a SPA massage that only promises exoticism and deep relaxation, overlooking the Hawaiian roots associated with the spiritual practice of healing the body and mind.
Unfortunately, not every service labeled as Lomi Lomi offers a true experience of this art – the difference between Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Nui massage and the SPA version can be significant. Therefore, it is worth considering what authentic Hawaiian massage is and why learning it requires more than just a short course.
The difference between authentic Lomi Lomi Nui massage and its commercial version can be significant. This is confirmed by a conversation with one of the masseuses:
- “How do you feel?” – I asked after the massage was performed.
- “Amazing. I must admit to you that I also perform Lomi, but after what I received from you, I will never dare to call my massage true Lomi again.”
- “Why?”
- “Because I can’t even do a fraction of what you can do with the body. I learned this massage for 2 days and I wonder if what I do is even Lomi massage.”
The Beginnings of SPA Massage in Poland and the Introduction of Lomi Lomi
Over 15 years ago in Poland, after the transformations, there was space for luxury. Compatriots who managed to save a lot of money while living abroad began to return to the country and build hotels combined with SPAs offering massage and other treatments. Access to foreign capital led to the creation of private massage schools that employed various specialists from many fields.
There was a trend for exotic massage, oriental, relaxation. We absorbed everything new. The more foreign the name, the more popular the service. Among many novelties and linguistic-artistic creations, Lomi Lomi massage also appeared. The name, funny to some, catchy, but sometimes difficult to remember, caused this massage to become at some point one of the most popular training services in private massage schools. Many masseurs offering Lomi Lomi appeared on the market.
Lomi Lomi Massage vs. SPA Massage – Differences in Training
The problem, however, was that the training lasted from 2-4 days, and the teacher’s knowledge about Lomi was not very extensive. In many cases, this massage had little to do with Hawaiian massage, except that it used the forearm for work, fluid body movements, and Hawaiian music playing from the speakers. Therefore, it also gained the nickname of a relaxation massage, which is highly unfair to this significant art of massage, which is in reality the temple massage Lomi Lomi Nui.
To this day, we struggle with difficulties. In many places offering massage, you can encounter a service called Lomi Lomi, which in reality is a version of SPA massage Lomi, and the price for it is almost identical.
Tradition and Authenticity of Lomi Lomi
Fortunately, teachers come to us who pass on knowledge and traditions straight from Hawaii. Serge Kahili King – founder of Aloha International has published many books on traditions, rituals, and the ancient philosophy of Huna, Lea Kawaikapuokalani masterfully teaches Hula dance, Susan Pa’iniu Floyd conducts Kino Mana workshops along with teaching the temple Hawaiian massage Lomi Lomi Nui, originating from the family tradition of Abraham Kawai.
Currently, in Poland, there are already many teachers who, on behalf of Aloha International, conduct Kino Mana workshops and professional courses for learning Lomi Lomi Nui for beginners. The knowledge and experience gained in these 10-day workshops are invaluable.
Course participants receive a solid foundation for performing Lomi Lomi Nui. The main idea of this massage is the so-called transformation, change, symbolic death of the old, so that the new can be born. Therefore, students during training undergo an internal revolution themselves, verify and change their current views on life, experience several-hour massage sessions, exchange touch and comments. They learn from the instructor and from each other. They learn the basic movement that improves energy flow in the body, learn passive limb movements that relax the joints, learn the palpatory anatomy of the body, and ways to use body weight in work, according to the principle that to take care of others, first take care of yourself. Based on the basics, they also get the freedom to create this massage and use individual ideas in it. They learn about the culture and tradition in which the massage was created. They expand their awareness, learn the principles of achieving inner harmony, and practice them to be able to conduct massage sessions in connection with the heart and in accordance with the message of Aloha. The main advantage of these trainings is the fact that they take place in close proximity to nature, in places away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, because in such conditions you can listen to yourself, calm down, harmonize with nature.
After the basic 10-day course, Lomi adepts improve their skills with teachers from Hawaii, where under the eye of Kumu (teacher), in subsequent multi-day workshops, they deepen, consolidate, and correct what was previously conveyed to them. They prepare to work with the body on deeper levels: working with subtle energies, with what the eye cannot see.
Choosing the Right Lomi Lomi Training – What to Pay Attention To?
Therefore, no 2-4 day training, or learning massage from videos on YT, or a few-day SPA type Lomi massage course in a private institution under the so-called MEN supervision, which should not even be offered under the name Lomi Lomi, can offer as much as learning the temple Hawaiian massage Lomi Lomi Nui in the Aloha International system, or learning from other sources from Hawaii.
However, sometimes mistakes cannot be avoided. It should be realized that this massage is not limited to the stroking and caressing characteristic of relaxation massage, and before putting it in its drawer, it is worth experiencing it from hands that are properly prepared for it. Therefore, it is worth getting well informed first before spending the same amount for a massage on a completely different level, which only shares the name with Lomi Lomi.
I wish you conscious choices.
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