Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Classes

Typically, Lomi Lomi classes usually teach one of two styles of Hawaiian Lomi Massage: Traditional or Temple. If you look into the lineage of the style, you likely will trace it back to either Aunty Margaret Machado of Kona and Uncle Kalua of Maui (traditional), or Abraham Kawai‘i of Kaua‘i (temple or kahuna bodywork). These late teachers were actively training people from the 1970s to the turn of the century.

In most circles, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi is synonymous with Aunty Margaret, who was the first elder to teach traditional Hawaiian healing and cleansing to non-Hawaiians from her little house in Kealakekua Kona. Influenced by her California students, her nursing background, her upbringing in the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and the powerful mana of her grandfather, her style is best described as ‘traditional’ lomi lomi with a Christian flavor. Around the world, most people think of long flowing forearm strokes, profuse amounts of oil, and nudity when they think of lomi. But this ‘kahuna’ style is not prevalent in Hawai‘i because it was marketed primarily in Europe, Australia, and the USA. The Hawaiian elders in Hawaii did lomi lomi very differently, as it turns out.

Today most lomi massage classes blend both styles, depending on the teacher’s own teachers. Each style offers great tools and insights as to how to give a wonderful and healing lomi lomi massage if it is done with genuine and pono intentions.

Why Attend Lomi Lomi Classes?

I myself find that most students yearn to understand the essence of Hawaiian teachings as well as want to learn new techniques. Most love hearing about the elders, and, on a practical level, many appreciate the techniques that utilize the forearms in an effort to save their wrists and thumbs. Lomi lomi can provide all of this … and so much more.

I find that sharing with others the highlights of my own trainings and experiences, including some cultural gems and values and chants, gives them a true and authentic experience of the power and value of these Hawaiian teachings of old.