Traditional Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage

Lomi Lomi - The Importance of Pule

True lomi lomi always begins with a pule, or prayer--silently, verbally, or as a traditional Hawaiian chant. It is always acknowledged that the healing is in the hands of God, or of the recipient’s higher self, which is directly connected to God.

I believe it is important to re-learn what prayer really is. While it is very personal to each of us, as it should be, it probably is not all that we've been taught by others. It is not about asking for something so much as it is about giving thanks from a place of genuine gratitude. It can be as simple as being truly quiet and opening your heart and soul to a higher Truth.

In many ways, God (referred to as Akua or Atua in Polynesia) is always sending blessings; it is we humans who seem to not have the ability to receive the ongoing messages. The Hawaiians believe that every person is born 'a perfect bowl of light' energy, because we are created in God's likeness. And thus during healing sessions, they are touching that divine essence of the person.

Pule centers the practitioner and prepares him or her to be a vehicle for loving, selfless service, before, during, and even after lomi lomi. On a practical level, it helps to focus the intention and invoke intuition. Pule also prepares the recipient to be open to the possibility of healing and to be receptive to more subtle levels of reality and awareness.

The Hawaiians knew the value of praying, sometimes for days in advance of a lomilomi session. They often would not proceed until they received a “message” from Akua clarifying the patient’s deepest needs. A truly gifted healer can resonate with the higher frequency of the divine presence, serving as a conductor of this energy, and direct it into the tissue or body part that seems blocked or is in a state of distress. The realness of this sort of connection between practitioner and patient can be so powerful that physical contact may not even be necessary. It is as if another dimension has been entered.

Before one begins a lomilomi session, one should be in the proper state of mind. Exercises to help “get yourself out of your way” and to increase your mana (energy, life force, power) are beneficial. Hawaiians often will sing or chant softly as they work, putting their patient at ease as well. Filling yourself with genuine gratitude and peace is important. It is easy to feel God’s presence in Hawai‘i, but wherever you are, you can create that sacred feeling of being one with the Holy Spirit.

The Hawaiians of old had a naturally conducive environment for this. Living on a large tropical island, eating fish, taro, herbs, and fruits, they worked closely with nature, surrounded by rainbows, waterfalls, beaches, and warm gentle rains. Most observed and worked with the ways of natural cycles, talking to them and giving thanks. Even the pohaku (rocks) had their stories to tell if the listener was ready to hear them. Whilst in prayer, it is easy to sense the intimate connection between all things. In Hawaii it is extra special; one can almost smell the mana (power or energy) in the air. On the Big Island, healers also drew from the raw power of the volcanoes. The island is alive with the fire of creation, and new volcanic landmass is being added continually. This was and is a powerful force to use in all healing practices.

Whatever you believe or don't believe, you can learn to pray. Here is a Hawaiian prayer that one of my mentors gave to us to share with students and seekers: E hui kala mai, a E hui kala aku (I extend my forgiveness, and you extend your forgiveness) E hui kala kakou, kekahi i kekahi (I extend my forgiveness to all, one by one). Don't worry about pronunciation; just say it from the deepest part of your being.

The wonderful thing is that you receive as much as you give when your prayer is sincere!

Blessings,
Nancy Kahalewa

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About the Author

Nancy Kahalewai has been teaching massage including traditional hawaiian lomi lomi since 1977. She is the author of Hawaiian Lomi Lomi - Big Island Massage and founder of two massage schools in Hawaii. She currently resides in New Zealand and is completing her second book How to Massage / Lomi Lomi with Your Heart and Soul and is developing a series of Lomi Lomi courses, DVD's videos.

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