Hawaiian Lomilomi, Big Island Massage, by Nancy S. KahalewaiThis book is currently the only book about Lomilomi (Lomi Lomi) based on Hawaiian sources. Lomilomi is one of the methods the traditional Hawaiian healers use for restoring health. What makes this book especially valuable is that the author acts as mediator between Hawaiian tradition and modern bodywork.
The reader gets a chance to understand how this bodywork is a part of the sacred Hawaiian healing arts and not just a massage which tries to deal with muscle tension from the outside. The author includes chapters on Hawaiian herbal medicine and on the role the Kahunas (experts / priests of healing arts) still play in Hawai'i.
Healing is very closely connected with life and Nancy Kahalewai helps understand the most important Hawaiian concepts of life. Understanding the love and respect, the Aloha Spirit, which is such a wonderful experience when visiting the Hawaiian islands, and how Ho'oponopono (right thought / forgiveness) has been part of daily life in the Hawaiian nation enables us to understand how it must be to receive a lomilomi massage.
Important for masseurs are the chapters on strokes and techniques give some insight on how Aloha Spirit translates into massage movements and the "hands on" chapter gives a good idea of a basic routine, opening up to the great variation of massage techniques and routines used in Hawai'i. Of course it is advisable to learn the art of Hawaiian healing from a qualified teacher.
The author's great respect towards the Hawaiian people and their rich culture makes it possible to include modern medical information, which is so important for modern massage therapists and clients in a world full of regulations.
However, I personally rate what is in "additions" of the physiology chapter as the greatest value of Lomilomi: clients come back because they feel totally nurtured and supported. After the two hours massage many express that they feel like being born again.
This bodywork enables clients to regain their Self as an entity of body, mind and spirit, giving them strength and the focus to act from within in this crazy world. I hope this book will reach many massage therapists and theat they will learn to touch people the Hawaiian way and spread unconditional love and respect all over the world.
Christian Herold, Lomilomi practitioner, Zurich, Switzerland www.lomi.biz
