The origins of Kahuna/ Lomi Lomi
Kahuna bodywork finds its origins in the teachings of a long lineage of Hawaiian Kahunas. Kahuna translates as "keeper of the secret" and these Kahunas were thus seen as experts at whatever their focus was.
One such Kahuna, Kahu Abraham Kawai'i, a bodywork Kahuna, felt a calling to share this modality with the west and in the 1980s, began to teach all over the world.
Kahu Abraham Kawai‘i’s intention was not simply to spread a massage technique but to share a deeper philosophy rooted in Hawaiian spirituality and healing. He viewed Lomi Lomi as a way to help people reconnect with their authentic selves, release emotional and physical blockages, and embody their personal truth. Its movements are fluid and rhythmic, often likened to the ebb and flow of ocean waves. These motions are more than a soothing rhythm; they are an invitation to release what no longer serves you and embody what you’re ready to embrace.
What is the difference between massage and bodywork?
The difference between a massage and bodywork is the intention and scope of the practice. Massage is directed solely at the physical - muscles, joints and soft tissues while bodywork addresses the interconnection of a larger system through the physical - energy, emotions, thoughts etc. Massage techniques and styles refer to the manipulation of the physical body for primarily physical results while bodywork modalities use the physical body to impact physical, mental and emotional planes equally.
The nature of Lomi Lomi/ Kahuna
At its core, Lomi Lomi acknowledges the profound impact of touch. In a world often dominated by mental chatter and constant doing, the act of being touched with intention and presence has the power to drop us back into our bodies—into the realm of feeling, sensing, and being.
Touch has a way of bypassing the analytical mind and speaking directly to the nervous system. It tells your body it’s safe to let go. It makes space for your cells to soften, recalibrate, and align with the choice point that you are at. It allows you to disconnect from conditioning so that you may decide what you would like your life to look like going forward. It’s in this state of openness that you begin to integrate experiences, ideas, and transitions on a deeper level.
Whether you’re moving through grief, stepping into a new role, or seeking clarity, Lomi Lomi provides a space where your body becomes an ally in the journey. Through touch, the wisdom of your own being is unlocked—not by force, but by invitation.
The power of touch to embody information and transitions
In a time when so much emphasis is placed on intellectual understanding, Lomi Lomi brings us back to the body—a place of profound intelligence. When you allow yourself to feel deeply, the information you’ve been carrying (consciously or unconsciously) begins to shift from something abstract into something lived. This embodiment allows you to not just think about change but to feel it and live it.
This is the difference between saying positive affirmations and living a life where those affirmations are physically manifest.
Transitions—whether personal, professional, or spiritual—can feel overwhelming when navigated from the head alone. The gift of Lomi Lomi is that it anchors these shifts in the body, making them tangible. It’s an embodied reminder that transformation isn’t just about letting go; it’s also about fully stepping into the next chapter of your story.
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