As we learn and practice Lomilomi, we use specific dance steps that allow us to move around the table massaging the body up and down in a continuous, rhythmic flow. The combination of these steps forms a unique dance coreography during every session.

These "Flying Dances" were developed by Kahu Abraham Kawai’i, who named them Ka’a’lele’au. The name loosely translates to "The Flight of the Navigator," inspired by ancient Polynesian navigators who maintained perfect balance and awareness while steering canoes across the vast ocean. By practicing these movements, the practitioner learns to remain centered and stable even when the "waters of life" are stormy.

On the physical level, these dances are the motor and the steering wheel as we perform the bodywork; what happens with our arm movements and bodyweight on and arund the table will be strongly determined by what happens under the table, with our feet. Therefore it is essential that we are aware of our steps during performing LomiLomi and practice these dances until they become natural to us and we are able to be aware of the movements of our feet and arms at the same time.

Therefore, Ka’a’lele’au is a fundamental, movement-based exercise for the Lomilomi practitioner, that is part of our physical, emotional and spiritual dayly practice. Each bodywork session starts already before the client arrives, with the preparation of the practicioner. Through this rhythmic moving meditation, we prepare both body and mind for the treatment, ensuring we can move spontaneously and fluidly throughout the session both physically and mentally and we can hold the space for our clients with our fluidity. This practice helps to bring us into a state of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual balance by emptying ourselves from extreme emotions, by"switching off" our analytical mind and by connecting us spiritually to the unconditional acceptance of Aloha, allowing us to be fully present for our client's needs.

Furthermore, Ka’a’lele’au is a practice for our own self-healing and self-development. It is often referred to as "flying" or "personal navigation." When we practice "Flying," we encounter the same mental obstacles, emotional patterns, and physical tensions that we face in our daily lives. Through rhythmic motion, we find a way through these blockages. Regular practice trains us to move through difficulties with fluidity and coordination in all aspects of life. It enables us to recognize obstructions in our thoughts and environment, allowing us to reflect, overcome, and make adjustments without breaking our internal rhythm.

The practice resembles a graceful, flowing dance with specific footwork—shifting weight from side to side in an infinite motion—while the arms move like the wings of a bird. This movement is designed to cultivate Mana (Life Force Energy). In the context of Lomilomi, Ka’a’lele’au is the engine that fuels the massage. Using posture, leverage, and motion, the practitioner performs bodywork guided by the "script" of the client’s body, facilitating a space for self-healing.

During our Integrated Lomilomi Massage courses, we discover how Lomilomi uses dance, movement, breathe and self-awareness to enhance self-healing and how to preapare ourselves physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually to perform a unique "dance" of long, flowing strokes, tailored for each individual.

When learning and practicing lomilomi, both the practitioner and the client experience how bodywork opens pathways to unexplored physical, emotional, and spiritual areas in themselves. By exploring these spaces safely, both individuals can grow by adopting new behaviors and unlock new possibilities in their lives. Whether you are a client or a practitioner, receiving and practicing Lomilomi or dancing the "Flying dances" regularly will shift your reality toward greater joy, self-esteem, and a more fulfilling life.