Lomi Lomi Massage

[aspensemo]

Alan, thanks for coming back and updating us with your training.

Sounds really interesting, i'd love to hear more about the massage technique, how you use it and how is it to give, and most importantly what is it like to recieve as a client?

Thanks
Mat xxx

 

[Abrielle]

Hi Mat

I have really enjoyed receiving the massage: having the whole length of the body from the shoulder to ankle ‘smoothed out’ in one flowing stroke feels really relaxing. The depth of pressure does depend on the therapist giving the massage: over the two courses, I have so far received treatment from four different students, and one of them did use very much lighter pressure than the other three.
I have had this type of deep ‘full length’ effleurage several times in Jamaica, and in hotel spas in Europe, but there seem to be very few tutors in the UK who teach such techniques: most of them prefer the ‘ITEC’ method of doing ‘one bit at a time’ (although I am lucky to have found an excellent therapist within travelling distance of Croydon who is very good at such full-length strokes). The other massage which I have sampled which gives a similar feeling of deep relaxation is ‘chavutti thirumal’.
Giving the massage feels relatively easy because the therapist is using bodyweight and leaning into the client, rather than using muscular strength. In this respect it is broadly similar to the style of massage taught on some sports massage and deep tissue courses. But one difference is that Rosalie Samet seems to disapprove of the wide ‘lunge’ stance which is commonly taught on other deep tissue courses: she prefers the therapist’s legs to be kept only about hip distance apart, so that the therapist keeps moving the feet (in a sort of Hawaiian dance motion) as he/she moves up and down the client’s body.
One difference between the ‘Lizy Newton’ technique and the ‘Rosalie Samet’ techniques is that in Lizy Newton’s treatments, quite a lot of work was carried out underneath the client’s body. With the client face down, this was largely restricted to work on the quadriceps; but after the client had turned into a supine position, the massage included some long strokes with the masseur standing at the client’s head, placing his hands under the client’s shoulders, and then sliding the hands and arms along the length of the client’s back.
The other issue with this type of massage is draping (particularly with supine female clients). Rosalie has told us that in America, female clients are usually ‘topless’ to receive the massage. Most of the women on the current Morley course didn’t seem keen on this; so firstly, Rosalie has segregated the men from the women (so that the massage is on a same-sex basis) and secondly, the women are draped so that the ‘loincloth’ covers their breasts and abdomen as well as the genital area. However they are required to leave the sides of the body bare, so that the draping is less secure than most of us are accustomed to. On the earlier ‘Lizy Newton’ course, I worked on two women who were draped in this way, and it does require careful placing of the ‘loincloth’ so that it doesn’t slip to one side and expose a breast. Also, from a male perspective, having the loincloth tucked into one’s genital area can feel a bit intrusive.

Regards

Alan

 

[Tom Smith]

Hi

The oil which is generally used in Lomi Lomi massageis Kukui nut oil.

The Hawaiian word “kukui” means “enlightened,” and this highly penetrating oil was treasured by ancient Hawaiians for its soothing and healing properties.

High in Linoleic essential fatty acids with vitamins A, C, E absorbed through the skin. Used by Aromatherapists for psoriasis, sunburn, irritations, superficial burns, chapped skin, baby oil, minor skin disease, moisturising and renewing skin for a natural look. Kukui Nut Oil penetrates, moisturises and helps renew skin for a natural, healthy look with anti-oxidant vitamins A, C, E. Useful for psoriasis, a penetrating oil and when smoothed on the skin it soothes and softens sunburns and irritations. In Hawaii new born babies were bathed in this easily absorbed oil. It has a reputation of being excellent for the treatment of superficial burns, chapped skin and some minor skin diseases. This oil is high in Linoleic acids, which are essential fatty acids vital to the metabolism of healthy skin. These organic fatty acids cannot be synthesised by the body, but must be acquired from dietary sources. Kukui Nut oil is readily absorbed by the skin, providing those tissues with essential elements.

 

[Amanda Moore]

An interesting discussion, [/align][/align]For some reason I thought Hawaiian massage was done with both the practitioner and the recipient standing up and being more akin to a wrestling mach than a massage as in a bear hug etc. you learn something new every day [/align]

 

[iAm]

Hi Paul

Sorry to disappoint whatever ideas you may have been harbouring about wrestling with your clients, but we haven’t been taught anything resembling such a technique !!

With regard to Mantra’s comments about Hawaiian kukui nut oil, Lizy Newton advised us against using this because



Morley College advised us to bring almond oil to the classes (although personally I prefer to use grapeseed, in case any clients have a nut allergy).

Regards

Alan

 

[nnepsutjipdizqewc]

Hi Alan[/align][/align]I do remember watching a TV program about someone travelling around the world and trying out different things in different areas, the program showed a massive Hawaiian who looked more like a sumo wrestler, at one point in the treatment as it was done standing up. The therapist put one arm around his shoulder and the other went between his legs and he lifted him sideways and squeezed him and then proceeded to shake him.[/align][/align]Not quite what I had expected to see but it looked very impressive [/align][/align]IMO I think one of the problems we have is imported therapies are often adulterated and westernised when they bring them across, this is a real shame as if something is worth doing then it is worth doing it properly.[/align]

 

[Evolved Ape]

Hi Paul

Thanks: the more I learn, the more curious I become about the different types of lomi lomi / Hawaiian massage !

Regards

Alan

 

[SmallPetExpert]

I'm 'bouncing' this thread, not because I have anything much to add to what I wrote two years ago, but in response to Bodywork's recent query.

Alan

 

[Brandon N]

I was fortunate to study with Rosalie Samet several years ago when she was still in Glastonbury. Last I was in touch with her, she had moved to Sussex (Hove) if anyone is looking to experience this style.

 

[littleme09]

Temple style lomi lomi, I've seen it done when turning the client over, I've usually seen the client being turned over by sliding them around on the table, but if the therapist is strong enough, actuallylifting up the client is an option, sometimes a bit of a walk around the room. It makes good TV footage, but a minute either side of that footage would've been someone lying on the table with someone working on them, not nearly as entertaining

Lomi means to knead, so it is just the word for massage, and there are different styles or lomi. Lomi is also used for kneading anything - Lomi fish is a well known traditional dish - the fish is marinated and massaged with the marinade (usually in a plastic bag these days).

 

[medecinekem]

Cola

Thanks for the information. I was also interested by your comments on the ‘naturist’ thread:



Both Lizy Newton and Rosalie Samet teach ‘temple style’ lomi lomi. I’m not aware of anyone in the UK who teaches a more ‘prudish’ style? But the book ‘Hawaiian Lomilomi’ by Nancy Kahalewai discusses more conventional (and prudish) styles of massage. Rosalie Samet was trained in Hawaii by a Hawaian named Abraham Kawaii, and Lizy Newton was trained by Susan Painiu Floyd who was herself trained by Abraham Kawaii. One notable feature of Kahalewai’s book is that she goes out of her way to criticise Kawaii (for apparently being willing to teach what may be termed ‘tantric’ techniques – although neither Rosalie Samet nor Lizy Newton gave any suggestion that this had been an element of their training).

Regards

Alan

 

[?Crazaaay Kitty ?]

Alan, when/where did you train with Rosalie? Where we at the same Level 1 course, Glastonbury, late 1997? I've a terrible memory for names, sorry!

 

[gabriela]

Abraham Kawaii lomi lomi is commonly called temple style lomi lomi for people trying to differentiate what type of lomi lomi it is. If there is 'flying' (the name of the dancelike feet & arms moves required to get the famous flow of the massage going), it's temple style, if they have Abraham Kawaii in the lineage, it's temple style. If they have Auntie Margaret, it's not temple style.

There are other styles too. Celtic KaHuna also teach Heartworks lomi lomi, which is similar in the flow to temple style, but it is done with the hands. (temple style uses a lot of forearm moves) Heartworks has the same minimal draping as temple style. Heartworks is actually a lot easier to learn, short weekend course, and it's less demanding physically than temple style. Temple style you can build up a lot of energy and fell very energised after giving a treatment, but it can be physically demanding, though people don't seem to feel it until it's a crashing burn out, doesn't seem to come on gradually. The crashing burn out is like the endorphin high of sport, people over do it (we're talking lots more than 20hr a week), and then it just crashes. Temple style was originally basically a rite of passage type treatment, just for special occasions, usually just for royalty/high ranking people, people would not be giving temple style often. It traditionally is a marathon style massage, it is meant to energise the practitioner, because it was often done for days on end, 24hr a day, with different people doing the treatments, until the shift to the next level had been made.

 

[DarwingotnastyontheBeagle]

Thanks Cola

In reply to Derek - I trained with Rosalie at Morley College in London (see the first page of this thread)

Regards

Alan

 

[Gesselys Nunez]

It is rather late for Helena's initial query, but there now seems to be a Lomi Lomi therapist in East Sussex: see http://www.hawaiianbodywork.co.uk/

Alan

 

[ErerieJurne]

Hello!

I practice the Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage too - it is very popular. Shame it is mainly guys that come for the massage, rather than women, but thats just the way it has been for me...

I wonder if any women out there would care to comment on why this is? Is it because they would feel uncomfortable getting naked with a strange guy? It is a lovely, sensuous massage, though as londonmassage pointed out, hard work on my back, with all that moving around.

If anyone is still interested, there is this american woman coming to town, in a couple of weeks, to teach a 4 day course. Looks like it could be good. Check it out http://www.carrierowell.com/uk-09.php Although I have done a couple of Lomi courses this does wet my appetite. Its always good to expand ones repetoire.

Oh, and Rosalie Samet at huna-massage is very nice also.

JJ

 

[Xahnus]

Hi Jag

How are you doing? Nice to see you on here.

I did survive Thailand last December, no probs!

Cheers

Reiki Dave

 

[sk8er dude]

Good Gosh!

Reiki Pixie is really Reiki Dave!!! Fancy 'meeting' you in here! What a fabulous coincidence!

Hi Dave! Good to 'see' you! My girlfriend thinks she is a pixie - funny you call yourself one too!

Glad you survived Thailand - a good training trip? I didn't make it unfortunately - made it only so far as Egypt.

Aloha!


Jag

 

[Nigel Skrat]

Hi Jag

You never know who's on 'ere.

Alex sent her regards and has just come back from holiday.

All is well here. Never worked is hard. Credit crunch hasn't affected my work!!!

Up in London next bank holiday weekend. Going on a Qigong workshop and visiting a friend I met when studying on Maria's Thai massage course.

Hope you are well.

Dave the Reiki Whisperer

(everyone is a whisperer these days - dogs, cats, angels, ghosts....)

 

[Alexxa C]

Yes, a Hi to Alex too!!!

How is she doing? What is her screen name?

Glad to hear work is good! Time to crunch the credit crunch! Whoever came up with that term???

I can't seem to get a pic on my profile!! Help!!


J