FAQ

General Questions About Sacred Lomi®

What is Lomi Lomi?
Lomi Lomi is the term used today to describe Hawaiian Massage. Lomi Lomi literally means 'to rub', 'to knead' or 'to work in and out'. Just as there are many different modalities of traditional massage, there are many styles and techniques of Lomi Lomi. The two styles most popular on the U.S. Mainland and throughout Europe are often referred to as 'Temple Style' or 'Hawaiian Temple Bodywork' and 'Auntie Margaret's Big Island Massage'. Sacred Lomi™ is based on 'Temple Style' Lomi.

Where does Sacred Lomi® come from?
Sacred Lomi® is the name we have given the work we've developed. This style is inspired by the lineage of 'Temple Style'. We use a heart-centered approach to teaching Hawaiian Temple Bodywork while integrating with it many practices, lineages and principles that support both the practitioner and recipient. Sacred Lomi® includes both a hands-on massage modality and principles and practices that support the practitioner on their own personal and professional journey. That journey includes healing and personal growth. In healing ourselves and becoming more conscious we are more able to assist others. Sacred Lomi® involves integrating self-awareness, physical awareness, conscious touch and flowing forearm techniques into a well rounded massage practice.

What will I learn in the Sacred Lomi® workshop?
In both the Four Day Workshop and the Hawaii Retreat, participants learn how to give a full session in Lomi Lomi on the front and back of the body. They also have the opportunity to practice and receive this sacred work every day. The workshop offers a gentle, supportive environment for participants to deepen their awareness of themselves, let go of detrimental patterns and define their personal and professional interests. The more balanced a healer is, the more they are able to offer that space to their clients.

Do I have to be a massage therapist or bodyworker to attend a workshop?
No. Our workshops are open to anyone who has an interest in learning and experiencing this work.

Will I be proficient at Lomi Lomi after completing your course?
This style of Lomi Lomi is quite different from most massage modalities. For some it comes quite quickly and for others it can be challenging and require more practice. Every student learns different aspects of the work at a different pace. You will definitely be able to integrate many new runs into your existing practice and possibly hold full sessions after a Four Day Workshop. We recommend that you schedule clients or friends for sessions immediately after the workshop so you can put the new information into practice. This is the very best way to retain what you have learned. Like any worthwhile practice, it takes time and repetition to be proficient.

I work in a spa. Can I practice Lomi Lomi in a spa setting?
Many people practice Lomi Lomi in a spa setting. The sessions may be slightly shorter than they would be in a private setting, but many spas across the country are now successfully integrating Lomi Lomi on their menu of services.

What is the draping like in Lomi Lomi?
We always recommend that you follow the laws in your City, State or jurisdiction. The biggest difference between the draping in traditional massage and this style of Lomi Lomi is that we leave limbs un-draped simultaneously so that we can easily move and flow from one end of the body to the other. In other words, in a traditional session both the arms and legs might be undraped simultaneously. We teach you ways to do this while still maintaining proper, legal draping. The most important thing is to follow the laws of your locality and to create a safe space for the client to relax and receive.

How does this style differ from other styles of Lomi Lomi?
There are many different styles of Lomi Lomi. In this style we use our forearms 90% of the time. The hands are primarily used in a secondary way. We hold a totally Safe and Sacred Space for the client by offering them Aloha - total acceptance. We also don't separate body, mind, heart or spirit. We feel that if you are working on someone's body, you are working on all aspects of their being - physical, emotional, mental and spiritual - and these are all integral to the work.

What should I expect in a Sacred Lomi® workshop?
Our workshops are primarily experiential and do not consist of a lot of lecture and note taking. They are taught in a more traditional way of demonstration, practice, receiving and sharing. There is a lot of movement, sharing and support. Many participants find the experience nurturing, healing and transformational for themselves. The also learn a new modality. Each individual is encouraged to work at their own pace and we support all ages and body types to attend.


Continuing Education & Certification

Do I earn National Continuing Educations Credit Hours (CE's) for completing workshops and retreats?
Sacred Lomi: Hawaiian Temple Bodywork is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork as a continuing education Approved Provider. Participants earn 32 CE's for the Four Day Workshops and 48 CE for the Hawaii Training.

Do I earn CEU's for my State, County or locality?
Many states and localities honor the NCBTMB CE's and do not have their own CEU's. Some states have their own system. Currently, we are Florida and Texas Approved. We offer Florida State CE's for all of our Four Day Trainings. Also, we offer Texas CE's for any training taught in Texas. California localites also honor the National CE's for their State requirements as do many other states and localities.

If I take your course, will I be Certified?
We will give you a beautiful color Certificate of Completion after you have finished any course. We are not a governing body, so we don't officially certify practitioners. We leave it up to you to decide when you feel ready to offer this sacred work.


The Hawaii Residential Retreats

What does the Hawaii Retreat Include?
The Hawaii Retreat includes all training, accommodations and an abundance of gourmet food. It does not include getting to Hawaii or to the retreat center. Some rent a car during the training and some do not, it's entirely up to you. For detailed information on Getting to Hawaii and the Retreat center please go here. For the upcoming Hawaii Retreat brochure please visit here. To visit the current retreat center website you may go here.

Can my spouse, family member or friend come and stay at the Retreat Center in Hawaii even though they are not taking the workshop?
Spouses, friends or family members who are not participating can come to the retreat center during the training, however it is not recommended. When possible, we recommend that friends and family come to explore the island with you after the workshop. This has worked well for many in the past. During the training the schedule is quite full and participants do not have enough time off to do many outside activities. Any arrangements that are made for staying at the retreat center for non-workshop participants would be made directly with the Retreat Center.

Do we have a lot of time off during the Hawaii Training to visit the island?
While we do have down time and take breaks during the day and evenings, generally the training takes up the full day and evening. The retreat center is a large space with swimming pool, hot tub and several acres of land. We generally stay on the property during the training unless we are going off the property as a group. Since we don't need to interact with cars, people or life outside of the retreat center, we are able to relax into a deeper place and journey further into our experience.
Participants often stay a few days after the workshop to explore the islands.

What does the Daily Schedule for the Hawaii Residential Training look like?
Generally, we start early - before breakfast - with some movement and Conscious Stretching. We eat three wonderful, gourmet meals a day and have Sessions between breakfast and lunch, lunch and dinner and sometimes after dinner. Sessions include hands-on demonstrations and extensive lomi lomi practice, shamanic movement, intimacy exercises and inner exploration. Each day is different. We work with the group level and the group process - and of course the sun, wind, rain and beauty of the land. We take extended breaks on the property when it serves the group energy. We usually take an excursion or two off the property and explore the island.

Spa Trainings, Referrals, Sacred Lomi DVD & More

What is a Spa Training?
Spa Trainings are Four Day Workshops designed and sponsored by an individual Spa or Massage Therapy Center. We offer these trainings at a discounted rate for Spa Employees. These trainings are set up at the request of the Spa. On occasion, to make it more affordable for the Spa, we will also allow outside participants to join. Details can be negotiated on a per Spa basis. All participants receive NCBTMB CE's like other trainings.

I am going to Hawaii for vacation. Can you recommend a Lomi Lomi practitioner or other workshop?
We do not recommend practitioners or other workshops because we have not received sessions from the practitioners or taken other workshops.

I live in a particular area and would like to know who does Lomi Lomi here.
Again, because we have not had the opportunity to receive sessions, we don't generally make recommendations.

What is included in the Sacred Lomi® DVD?
The Volume 1: The Back of the Body Sacred Lomi® DVD is 65 minutes long. It includes history, principles and detailed instruction of working on the back of the body. 35 minutes are spent teaching the flowing forearm runs in detail. There are two review sections; one that goes over each of the runs and one that demonstrates connecting the runs into a flow. It can be purchased here

When are the Volume II and III DVD's going to be available and what will they cover?
We don't have a set date. We are currently working on Volume II, The Front of the Body. We hope to have it available early in 2009. Volume III will be produced after that and will include deep work and how to deepen and empower your sessions. In addition, we plan on releasing a Sacred Visualizations CD and possibly a Conscious Stretching DVD.

Do you recommend any specific type of Massage Table to do this work?
While no special table is needed to do this work, we have developed a partnership with Oakworks and designed a massage table that we feel is perfect for Lomi Lomi. For information on this table please look here.

I have taken a training from you and would like to take another one? What would the cost be?
Many people take our Four Day Trainings or Hawaii Retreat trainings more than once to deepen their experience of themselves and the Lomi Lomi work. We offer a $100 discount if you take same course again.

Can you teach a workshop in my area?
We do respond to requests to do trainings in specific areas if there is enough interest - 20 or more people - in the area. Contact us and let us know your location and describe the circumstances under which you'd like us to teach. Our schedule has limited space but we do respond to these requests.


Advanced and Teacher Training

Do you offer advanced or teacher trainings?
We usually teach about one advanced training a year, or every other year, that is “by invitation only”. Anyone who has successfully completed one of our workshops is invited. In this training we are able to practice on a deeper level because all of the participants have a foundation in Lomi Lomi. We are also gifted with many very advanced practitioners who often attend and share their techniques and experiences.


What if I have other questions?
Please submit your questions to us on the contact us page, and we will consider adding the answer here.

Mahalo Nui Loa
We look forward to meeting you and seeing you at a workshop or retreat.