In Hawaiian Language, the word traditionally means “to knead, to rub, or sooth; to work in and out, as the paws of a contented cat,” it also means to transform. The early Polynesian settlers brought their own form of massage to Hawaii thousands of years ago, and it evolved to become something uniquely Hawaiian. It was practiced by everyone from child to chief. As an indigenous practice it evolved throughout the Hawaiian Island chain, there are many different schools of Lomilomi, most are taught by the elders within the family. Each family having a different approach and technique to heal.
Lomilomi isnʻt about giving a good massage, it is a gateway to opening oneʻs self to a higher understanding and reasoning. Lomilomi is about the ʻHaʻ (breath), the life of a person; their essence not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. Lomilomi is about healing the person in their entirety, guidance on their path here on earth. The exchange of ʻHaʻ (breath of life) from Healer to client, the ʻManaʻ (energy, life force) from ʻAkua (God) passes through from Healer to client. Allowing the energy to flow throughout the body that can truly heal the person on a profound deeper level.
The Lomilomi Massage can be physically benefitial to everyone, emotionally and spiritually; can heal trauma buried deep inside our subconscious if you want and choose to have that healing.