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Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Association
Hello, is anyone here a member of this organization? What do you think of it?
I would love to join a group of people who practice Lomi Lomi but from what I read, I have to have taken classes from a specific person or a specific type of Lomi Lomi. Is this true? Does anyone know why it is true if it is true?
I really would like an open discussion on this fact and some insight if there are any other groups or ogranizations with membership for Lomi Lomi practitioners.
Thank you so much....ALOHA!!
- Tera
Views: 1199
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Barbara Helynn Heard on
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Aloha Tera,
I am a member of the Hawaiian Lomilomi Association. I joined last year and attended their anual conference last fall. I had a wonderful time! I've been practicing lomilomi since 1996.
My experience of the HLA is that they focus on particular lomilomi lineages, specifically lineages which are closer to "pure" Hawaiian and having less western influence. The advantage of focusing on specific lineages this way is that it increases the chance of maintaining their specific benefits and qualities in tact. Some lomilomi lineages have been so heavily influenced by western cultures that some people question whether they should be identified as Hawaiian.
As we move more and more towards global society with the travel and communication options available today, we will have many opportunities to choose to focus on a particular cultural practice or to blend practices from multiple cultures. I think it would be a shame to loose the wonder and specificities of different cultural practices.
I don't recommend the HLA for folks who are interested having all lineages of lomilomi freely represented within a single organization. But for those of us who are interested in what the HLA offers, it is a wonderful organization!!
Aloha,
Barbara Helynn
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Permalink Reply by rudy m smith on
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Perfectly stated Barbara.
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Permalink Reply by Jason David Bratcher on
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""folks who are interested having all lineages of lomilomi freely represented within a single organization"""
What a Beautiful idea,and one that truly represents what Lomi is all about,too.
Funny thing about modalities and techniques and lineages and such,,they always seem to be evolving,changing and becoming more of what they are. Some say it gets watered down,that's one way to look at it,the other way is to acknowledge that life and movement is always in flux,sheesh, even a rock,with its hardness and solidity,changes over time,with wind and water,or being picked up and carved on etc.
interesting food for thought.
Much Love,
Jason
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Permalink Reply by eArtH mUffIn on
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So TRUE Jason!! I've been told through multiple people who studied with the same woman that her teachings changed. She had added things in classes taught in 1990 that she did not teach in 1978. And Auntie is like the face of Hawaiian Lomi Lomi, ya know. If she can change and adapt, shouldn't we all be able to in some since. Although I will say there is something beautiful and sacred about tradition. I concurr..."fOOd 4 ThoughT".
Thank you all so much for your input. I too, have been taken back and the depth and beauty of the Hawaiian culture and vision which is why I am looking for organizations and practitioners who are as practice it in an authentic way....
BUT...I guess I was asking because I have heard of people denied membership because the organization stated that the teacher tehy were certified by was not part of a legitimate Lomi tradition/lineage (and yet they have documentation proving otherwise).
If lomi lomi was passed down through multiple generations and families, couldn't it be that there are legitimate lineages out there that are not acknowledged as legitimate? For example I was told auntie Margret did not use hopaku (stones?) to massage the body. She used them to warm the muscles/connective tissue, etc. but never to actually massage the body as we do in "modern hot stone modalities."
:0) I guess am just "legitimately" curious about what makes something legitimate or not. Becuase of your comments I will not judge what i do not know, and I am going to try and get more information. It makes me very happy that you enjot that group because I am still interested, I just wanted more info before applying.
So Thank you, I love this forum, LOMI LOMI UNITE!!
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Aloha Tera,
You might enjoy the facebook group call Lomi Homies https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/191191894232892/
And you might also enjoy lomi teacher Kahuna Harry Uhane Jim http://www.harryjimlomilomi.com/index2.html. Harry is a wonderful native Hawaiian teacher who regularly engages with, and enthuastically supports, practitioners and teachers of lomi lineages which have been heavily influenced by Western people and thought. As I see it, Harry is helping to mend some broken links. I am registered to attend a 10 day workshop Harry will teach on the Big Island this fall. I'm looking forward to it!!
Aloha,
Barbara Helynn
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Barbara,
There is nothing wrong with western people and thought embracing and practicing Lomi in the way that moves and motivates them.if anything it improves on the western thought as im sure it has with you since you seem to be a westerner too. If "Westerners" were taught by "Native" teachers and they evolve their concepts and practice it in a good way that emulates Heart and Aloha,,then why judge it or say that its not real or "authentic" Lomi ?
I dont think Harry Jim is mending any broken links,he supports teachers and practitioners of different lineages because it is all part of a family and rather than judging he is embracing,supporting and being Pono with it. Seems like that is the way to go in my humble opinion.
Much Love,
Jason
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Aloha Jason,
One of the expressions that Harry often uses is "embrace the paradox". For me this applies wonderfully to the situation we are discussing in this conversation.
Harry helps me personally to mend a broken link in my own lomilomi lineages, specifically with Temple style which I studied and practiced for 7 years before transistioning to Mana Lomi in 2003.
There may be more than one "way to go". I find room for both maintaining the integrity of specific lomilomi lineages as the HLA and Mana Lomi (and others) endeavor to do and also for creating opportunities for practitioners of many different lomi lineages to come together. There's room for evolution of lomi to happen in various ways.
Based on what I've learned from my Hawaiian teachers, it's important for non Hawaiians such as myself to take care in what cultural beliefs and practices we speficially identify as Hawaiian, and especially as "ancient" or "traditional" Hawaiian. To take too much liberty here, especially when we earn money by what we do related to Hawaiian culture, has led to Hawaiian healers I know claiming that their culture is being exploited. Ouch.
So, I'll close again with my appreciation for Harry, and the healing that I experience in messages of unity I receive from him.
If you care to share, Jason, I'm interested to hear more about your own experiences with lomilomi.
aloha,
Barbara Helynn
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Im happy that you are being helped to mend your "own" broken links,Barbara. I would gather based on what you have told me is that you are going through your own personal journey with respect to the Hawaiian way of doing things and I honor that.
I hope that it continues for you and you will find your own light of truth and realizations.
I will conclude with this saying and I hope it resonates with you:
" The Greatest Wisdom is in Simplicity,Love,Respect,Tolerance,Sharing,Gratitude & Forgiveness. Its not complex or elaborate. The real Knowledge is free. Its encoded in your DNA. All you need is within you. Great teachers have said that from the beginning. Find your Heart and you WILL find your way."
Much love,
Jason
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Thank you all for your kind wisdom and stories.
I do think that truth is felt in the spirit and it may not be the same for everyone. For now, my eyes are set on Hawaii....
AloHAAAa!
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Permalink Reply by Harry Uhane Jim on
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yep,... they are great people. well deserved to be endorsed.
Barbara Helynn Heard said:Aloha Tera,
I am a member of the Hawaiian Lomilomi Association. I joined last year and attended their anual conference last fall. I had a wonderful time! I've been practicing lomilomi since 1996.
My experience of the HLA is that they focus on particular lomilomi lineages, specifically lineages which are closer to "pure" Hawaiian and having less western influence. The advantage of focusing on specific lineages this way is that it increases the chance of maintaining their specific benefits and qualities in tact. Some lomilomi lineages have been so heavily influenced by western cultures that some people question whether they should be identified as Hawaiian.
As we move more and more towards global society with the travel and communication options available today, we will have many opportunities to choose to focus on a particular cultural practice or to blend practices from multiple cultures. I think it would be a shame to loose the wonder and specificities of different cultural practices.
I don't recommend the HLA for folks who are interested having all lineages of lomilomi freely represented within a single organization. But for those of us who are interested in what the HLA offers, it is a wonderful organization!!
Aloha,
Barbara Helynn
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Thanks Jason.. important, or hold as truth. that 'judgment and exclusion, sinks healing to the void of unavailability. Not necessarily for the provider., but certainly for the receivers. '. I see it consistently, hawaiian or not.
Jason David Bratcher said:Barbara,
There is nothing wrong with western people and thought embracing and practicing Lomi in the way that moves and motivates them.if anything it improves on the western thought as im sure it has with you since you seem to be a westerner too. If "Westerners" were taught by "Native" teachers and they evolve their concepts and practice it in a good way that emulates Heart and Aloha,,then why judge it or say that its not real or "authentic" Lomi ?
I dont think Harry Jim is mending any broken links,he supports teachers and practitioners of different lineages because it is all part of a family and rather than judging he is embracing,supporting and being Pono with it. Seems like that is the way to go in my humble opinion.
Much Love,
Jason
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