Lomilomi massage – A healing experience for the whole self
I often get asked, “What exactly is lomilomi massage?” It’s not as widely known as Swedish or deep tissue massage, but for many clients – and in my own personal experience – it’s been life-changing.
Let me begin with a small but important detail: the authentic spelling is “lomilomi,” not “lomi lomi.” In Hawaiian, repeating a word intensifies its meaning. “Lomi” means to knead, rub, or soothe. “Lomilomi” takes it deeper – it means to work the body with care, love, and intention, over and over. You may see “lomi lomi” used in Western contexts, but “lomilomi” is the culturally rooted, traditional form.
Lomilomi is so much more than a massage. It’s a healing art – one that supports not only your physical body but also your heart, your energy, and your connection to self.
It’s a form of care that feels ancient, intentional, and intuitive. And it’s an experience you carry with you long after the session ends.
What is lomilomi?
Lomilomi comes from Hawaiian healing traditions, passed down through generations of families and spiritual healers – some of whom were known as kahuna, a respected role in Hawaiian culture. It was used for physical healing but also during times of emotional transition, rites of passage, and spiritual cleansing.
Modern lomilomi stays true to those origins. Lomilomi practitioners use long, flowing, rhythmic strokes with their hands and forearms, often moving across the full length of the body. The movement is wave-like – soft but intentional, helping release physical tension while also moving emotional and energetic blockages.
But the real essence of lomilomi isn’t just in the technique – it’s in the spirit of aloha (love, compassion, and presence) that guides the session. It’s a heart-centred way of holding space for someone’s healing, not just fixing a problem but honouring the whole person.
What happens in a session?
Every session is unique. Before you begin, you'll usually have a conversation with your practitioner about how you’re feeling – physically, emotionally, and energetically. This helps to tailor the session to exactly what you need in that moment.
During the massage, warm oil is used, and those signature flowing strokes are applied across your body. Depending on your preferences, it may also include:
- a quiet intention or prayer (pule) to begin the session
- traditional chanting (oli), either spoken softly or held silently
- the “ha” breath – a conscious, audible exhale used to clear energy
These elements are rooted in Hawaiian tradition but are always optional. I will check in beforehand and adjust based on your comfort and needs.
Draping and comfort
Lomilomi is traditionally performed with minimal draping, usually using a sarong or cloth wrap. This allows for the long, flowing strokes to move across the full body without interruption. Clients are typically unclothed underneath the sarong.
In keeping with tradition, the chest and breast area may be included, but the nipples and groin area are never touched. Every part of the session is approached with deep respect, care, and professionalism.
That said, your comfort comes first. If you prefer to wear underwear or keep certain areas covered, we absolutely adapt. The session is always guided by your comfort, your boundaries, and your consent. Nothing is done without your informed agreement.
Why do people choose lomilomi?
People come to lomilomi when they need something more than just muscle relief. Many clients arrive feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, emotionally stuck, or disconnected from their bodies.
Here’s what some of them have shared:
“I was like a jigsaw in pieces before the massage – afterwards, I felt physically and mentally put back together.”
“I felt lighter, more energetic, and more motivated. My emotions shifted up so positively.”
“I let go of shame I’d been carrying in my body. It changed how I saw myself.”
“It wasn’t healing my body one section at a time like the usual massages. It was healing my whole body at once – everything felt integrated.”
“The spiritual healing surprised me. I walked away with more clarity. My decision-making got sharper, even in my work.”
Clients often describe it as a reset, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. It helps them reconnect with themselves, release what they’ve been holding, and come back into balance.
Why isn’t it mainstream (yet)? And how that’s changing
Lomilomi isn’t something you’ll find at every massage clinic – and there’s a reason for that.
This practice wasn’t created for the commercial world. It was passed down in Hawaiian families and communities, often kept private and sacred. Even today, it’s important to many that it’s shared with integrity and respect for its cultural roots.
It also requires a different kind of training. Lomilomi isn’t just about physical technique – it involves emotional presence, breathwork, energetic awareness, proper draping, and client consent. It asks practitioners to go deep – not just in their hands, but in their hearts and integrity.
But slowly, that’s changing. More people are seeking therapies that honour the whole person, not just the body. As that awareness grows, lomilomi is becoming better known as a powerful, gentle, and spiritual approach to healing.
Is lomilomi professional and safe?
Yes, absolutely. When offered by a properly trained therapist, lomilomi is safe, professional, and deeply supportive.
In the UK, anyone offering lomilomi should already have a Level 3 qualification in anatomy, physiology, and pathology. Training must also be CPD-accredited and recognised by a professional body such as the Complementary Therapists Association (CThA) or Complementary Health Professionals (CHP).
I personally trained with Zanna Parkinson at HunaQuest, and I highly recommend her program. It’s a full four-day intensive that covers everything from physical technique to consent, draping, energy healing, and how to hold space respectfully and traditionally. It’s a deeply thorough and grounded way to learn this sacred work.
There are also shorter courses – often one to two days – through schools like Gateway Workshops, the Elemental School of Massage, and the London School of Massage. These can be a useful introduction for qualified therapists, but in my view, they don’t offer the same depth that lomilomi truly deserves. For something as spiritually and emotionally rich as this, a more intensive training makes a real difference.
Lomilomi isn’t just a massage. It’s an invitation.
To slow down. To receive. To breathe. To come back into yourself in a space that is safe, sacred, and nurturing.
If you’re going through something, feeling disconnected, or simply want a deeper kind of healing – one that respects not just your body, but your whole self – lomilomi may be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
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