Hawaiian Massage

Hawaiian Massage developed from two ancient and mystical healing traditions from Hawaii - Kahuna bodywork and Lomi Lomi massage.

Kahuna priests would perform formal Kahuna bodywork rituals on adults and important members of the community within healing temples on the island. Considered as a 'rite of passage', the rituals helped create a strong perception of social and family responsibility as well as spiritually empowering individuals and giving them a better sense of self-awareness.

Lomi Lomi massage was a more relaxed and accessible form of bodywork used by families to aid healing and recovery. Respected as a tradition itself, Lomi Lomi would have a unique style and merit depending on the family group.  

The practice of Hawaiian Massage was developed in an era when life was overflowing with the spirit and grace of 'Aloha' - the Hawaiian word for love.

Hawaiian Massage recreates the Spirit of Aloha of the ancient Hawaiians, when life was abundant with generosity, goodwill and loving kindness. Both practical and hands-on, it is the expression of the enriching, rejuvenating, compassionate and empowering massage systems of Kahuna bodywork and Lomi Lomi.

Altogether this is a shamanic interplay of the subtle powers of prayer, breath, suggestion or intention, loving touch, movement, energy, sound and spiritual consciousness. Once these powers are activated and energized, direct communication with the inner-most intelligence of body, mind, heat, spirit and nature facilitates profound change and extraordinary healing.

Hawaiian Massage is more concerned about the whole person rather than specific parts of the body and conditions. Rather than remedial or therapeutic, it is truly holistic and transformational in the widest sense.

From the Hawaiian perspective, states of tension, disharmony and feelings of being unloved are the universal causes of distress and ultimately illness. These stresses interfere with the free-flow of life-force energy and our natural vitality, health and wellbeing. Hawaiian Massage is indeed more than a massage. It is complex and comprehensive yet it touches the core of our being with seamless simplicity. It speaks to us on many levels and leaves a lasting impression.

Be prepared

It is advisable to choose a Hawaiian Massage practitioner who is a member of, or is accredited by, an association or professional body. This ensures your massage session is carried out in a suitable environment and by someone who has received formal training and ongoing development. Members are also bound to a code of ethics and practice. The main cognitive therapy organisations are listed at the foot of this article.

What to expect

The environment for giving Hawaiian Massage is very important. Before the client enters the healing space, it is cleansed, energized and warmed. 

The session begins with a consultation to discuss with the client their primary concern and why they believe Hawaiian Massage will help them.

As Hawaiian Massage is an all-body oil massage, the client is invited to remove their clothing and cover themselves in a sarong and to lie face down on the table. Before starting the massage, the client is helped to relax more and more deeply, allowing them to better receive the Aloha touch of the massage.

A Hawaiian Massage practitioner will use oils as they perform long, rhythmic flowing strokes. Utilising their body-weight, the practitioner will use their hands and forearms in wave-like, continuous movements from side-to-side and up and down the lengths of both sides of the body. The sarong becomes a moveable loincloth, giving maximum access to the body.

Throughout the session, a bridge is being formed that helps take the client from where they are now in their lives to where they want to be. Hawaiian Massage effortlessly dissolves negative beliefs, patterns and memories, inviting substantial change, clarity, purpose and joy.

A typical Hawaiian Massage session is 1.5 – 2 or 3 hours. This allows time for maximum relaxation, healing and integration.

Individual Sessions cost between £60 and £120 but prices can vary depending on practitioner location. Check with your local therapist before making an appointment.

One treatment is highly effective, but a series of 6 sessions deepens and develops lasting changes.  Many long-term clients return regularly for top-up sessions.

Hawaiian Massage is the perfect therapy for people who genuinely want to improve the quality and wholeness of their lives, and are willing to work with the changes that are possible.