Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage

Lomi Lomi doesn’t focus on just physical healing, but on spiritual and emotional health as well. This treatment is intended to improve your energy flow, both in your body and your mind. Using a combination of relaxing techniques, Lomi Lomi practitioners ease both your body and spirit during your session.

The Rich History of Lomi Lomi Massage

Lomi Lomi massage is a Hawaiian technique that has been passed down through generations. It was initially brought to Hawaii by early Polynesian settlers. Over many years, the technique developed in isolated areas, resulting in several “schools” of Lomi Lomi with their own unique styles. No two Lomi Lomi massages will be the same!

“Lomi” is a Hawaiian word meaning “to rub” or “to soothe”, but Lomi Lomi is more than just a massage. Practitioners seek to go beyond physical benefits by enhancing the overall health and wellness of their clients. They encourage energy to flow throughout the body, harmonizing your physical and spiritual being in the process. One of the original intentions of Lomi Lomi massage was to enable people to connect spiritually with their ancestors.

The Benefits of Lomi Lomi Massage

Relieve Muscle Pain and Joint Stiffness

Lomi Lomi is a relaxing experience for both the mind and the body. Throughout your session, your therapist will work deeply into your muscles to ease tension and stiffness in your muscles and joints. It may also relieve pain for clients who are suffering from injuries or recovering from surgery.

Improve Circulation

Besides relieving pain and tension, Lomi Lomi massage is also an effective way to improve circulation. The long, continuous strokes, often applied using the length of the practitioner’s arms, improves overall circulation through the body.

Reduce Stress in the Body and Mind

Lomi Lomi massage is a holistic solution intended to provide you with both bodily and spiritual healing. It is designed to restore energy flow throughout the body, allowing you to release negative energies such as fear and anxiety. Following a Lomi Lomi massage, your mind and body will feel more relaxed than ever.

What is Lomi Lomi Massage?

How the Treatment Works 

Lomi Lomi uses long, continuous, and fluid strokes to encourage energy flow throughout your body. Oils are used to nourish the skin and keep strokes smooth and fluid. Your massage therapist will work through your entire body in a seamless manner using their fingers, knuckles, palms, elbows, and knees.

During the Appointment 

Many Lomi Lomi practitioners play calming music or white noise, such as ocean waves, during a Lomi Lomi appointment. This calms your mind alongside your body as your therapist works to ease your muscles. The flowing nature of Lomi Lomi requires much of the body to be uncovered, so be sure to inquire about garment expectations before your session. There may also be a period of stillness before the massage begins to ease your mind.

Don’t be alarmed if your massage therapist uses different body parts throughout the massage. Lomi Lomi massage therapists use the hands, feet, elbows, and knees to create a soothing experience. Instead of massaging one area at a time, several different areas may be massaged at once so that your mind isn’t focused on only one part of your body.

Enjoy Long-Lasting Relief

Following your Lomi Lomi appointment, you’ll experience long-lasting, full-body relief. Take some extra time after your appointment to relax so that you can feel the full effects of the massage. Be sure to meditate, stretch, and drink plenty of water.

What You Should Know Before You Book an Appointment  

How to Prepare

Unlike a Thai or deep tissue massage, the full-body nature of Lomi Lomi means that more of your body must be uncovered. Your massage therapist will work in long, flowing strokes, so too much clothing can get in the way. However, your comfort is always our top priority, and you can discuss your comfort level with removing certain clothing with your therapist.

Avoid eating right before your Lomi Lomi massage, as this might upset your stomach during the massage. Drink plenty of water beforehand, but avoid caffeinated drinks like coffee or pop.

Safety and Risks

Be sure to talk to your massage therapist about your medical history prior to your appointment. If you have high blood pressure or varicose veins, Lomi Lomi massage may not be suitable for you. If you are pregnant, Lomi Lomi could be beneficial depending on the current stage of pregnancy.

Lomi Lomi Massage FAQs

Does Lomi Lomi massage use strong pressure?

Lomi Lomi is known as a “loving hands” massage for a reason! During a Lomi Lomi massage, your massage therapist will work gently yet deeply into your muscles to ease and relax them. Strong pressure is not typically used, though many Lomi Lomi practitioners will work intuitively with your body and add more pressure where necessary. If the pressure ever becomes uncomfortable or you would like more pressure, don’t hesitate to tell your massage therapist!

Is modern Lomi Lomi the same as traditional Lomi Lomi? 

Thanks to its isolated development in different parts of Hawaii, traditional Lomi Lomi comes in many different forms. This form of Lomi Lomi typically has a strong spiritual component as well. While there are still many traditional Lomi Lomi practitioners out there, most modern massage therapists choose to combine traditional Lomi Lomi techniques with gentle stretching. There is also less focus on spirituality than in traditional Lomi Lomi, though spiritual healing is still integrated into the massage.

How long will my Lomi Lomi appointment be?

To feel the full effects of a Lomi Lomi massage, your appointment will be a little lengthier than most other massages. We recommend booking at least 90 minutes for your first appointment. You may also want to follow your session up with a relaxing session in our Infrared Sauna to rejuvenate the body and skin.

Book a Lomi Lomi Massage in St. Albert 

At Urban Massage & Wellness, we are proud to offer authentic Lomi Lomi massage therapy designed to suit your personal needs. These massages sometimes combine traditional Lomi Lomi techniques with gentle stretching to provide you with whole-body physical and spiritual healing.  Book your appointment with Urban Massage & Wellness today.