HISTORY OF LOMI LOMI NUI

History & Modern Day Practice

History

The Kahuna (shaman-priests) of Hawai'i believed matter and spirit to be one. They knew no separation -- spirit was to be found in the midst of matter and therefore all was treated with great reverence.

Lomi Lomi Nui - or Temple Style Lomi Lomi - is an art of ancient Hawai'i - a ritual honoring the sacredness of the body and providing reverent space for the flowering of its wisdom. Said to be more than 4,000 years old, this rite of passage was practiced by specialized Kahuna in the temples (or he'iau) of Hawai'i. Some youths, chosen by spirit, those becoming Kahuna, or leaders of the tribe were put through many levels of arduous preparation before being finally accepted for the ritual. At the door of the temple, the Kahuna would draw a line in the sand and offer the final test: "If you are prepared to die, step across this line." In so doing, the recipient showed willingness to succumb to the ultimate surrender: to die to the old and be born to the new.

Once inside the temple - a small space with a stone slab, torches, five Kahuna Nui and five drummers and chanters - the ceremony would begin. Using their entire bodies in the rhythmic dance of an ancient hula, the five Kahuna would work on the youth - weaving flesh, muscle, bone, sound, energy, breath and light. The work would continue for 10 hours and up to 15 days, 24 hours per day.


The ritual of Lomi Lomi Nui was an awakening into the larger design -- the existence of a human life as it fit into the ongoing context of ancestors, descendants, extended family, the past, present and future within the 'ohana of all living things.

Lomi Lomi Nui Today

In today's terms, Temple Style Lomi Lomi is a combination of wholistic bodywork, sacred touch and ancient ritual. In form, the receiver enjoys a full body massage, back and front, filled with flowing harmonious movements and a full spectrum of techniques including deep work, joint manipulation, acupressure and energy work. Performed in the spirit of Aloha - love, joy and compassion - Lomi Lomi Nui allows the receiver to experience profound relaxation on many levels of being inspiring awakening of the body's innate intelligence.

In this tradition, consciousness is awakened directly through the medium of the body. Rather than going 'out' or 'up' to heaven, masters, spiritual doctrine, or anything outside of ourselves, this work takes one through deeper and deeper layers of who we think we are, to the infinite space of who we truly are, and our connectedness with all that is.

Information about Private Sessions

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