Lomilomi is not only a massage. It is a dance.
When giving Lomilomi, we move like ocean waves—continuously and rhythmically—creating flowing movements on the body through long, flowing strokes, circles, and figure-eight patterns. These continuous, rhythmic strokes of varying intensity create the delightful sensation of gentle waves moving over the body.
"In this style of Lomilomi massage, the practitioner is the dancer and the recipient is the choreographer. Therefore, the dance is always different."— Susan Pa'iniu Floyd
When performing Lomilomi massage, it is impossible to give the same massage twice. Each session becomes a unique choreography, createdintuitively through a dialogue between giver and receiver.
To move fluidly around and along the body being massaged, it is essential for a Lomilomi practitioner to use their own body in a dance, moving gracefully in alignment with the rhythm of the music and the natural rhythm of the breath. As we practice Lomilomi, welearn specific dance steps that allow us to move around the table while placing the dance of our arms upon the recipient's body. The combination of these steps and arm movements forms a unique choreography during every session.
These steps, or the "Flying Dances", were developed by Kahu Abraham Kawai'i, who named them Ka’a’lele’au. The name loosely translates as "The Flight of the Navigator," inspired by ancient Polynesian navigators who maintained perfect balance and awareness while steering their canoes across the vast ocean. Through practicing these movements, the practitioner learns to remain centered and stable even when the "waters of life" become stormy.
As we begin learning Lomilomi, we study these dances and their variations alongside the massage techniques themselves. Ka’a’lele’au is not only used while giving a Lomilomi treatment. It is also a fundamental movement practice for the practitioner before and after giving massages and is often referred to as "Flying" or "Personal Navigation."
One important function of Ka’a’lele’au is preparing ourselves for the massage. Through this rhythmic moving meditation, we prepare both body and mind for the treatment, ensuring that we can move spontaneously and fluidly. This practice helps us establish and maintain physical and mental balance before and during the treatment while quieting the analytical mind, allowing us to be fully present for the client.
We can also use Ka’a’lele’au as a general practice for our own development and well-being on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels. When we practice Flying, we encounter the same mental obstacles, emotional patterns, and physical tensions that we face in our daily lives. Through rhythmic movement and conscious breathing, we find ways through these blockages. We move through our emotions, let go of overthinking, and reconnect with something greater than ourselves.
Regular practice trains us to move with fluidity and coordination in all aspects of life. It enables us to recognize obstructions in our thoughts and environment, allowing us to reflect upon and overcome them by making adjustments without breaking our internal rhythm.
The practice resembles a graceful, flowing dance with specific footwork—shifting weight from side to side in a continuous, infinite motion—while the arms move like the wings of a bird. This movement is designed to cultivate Mana, or Life Force Energy.
In the context of Lomilomi, Ka’a’lele’au is the engine that fuels the massage. Through posture, leverage, and movement, the practitioner performs bodywork guided by the "script" of the client's body, facilitating a space for self-healing.
In our Integrated Lomilomi Massage courses, we learn how to use dance, movement, breath, and self-awareness to perform a unique dance of long, flowing strokes tailored to each individual. Both practitioner and client benefit from the combination of Flying and Lomilomi bodywork, as it opens pathways to unexplored physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions within each person. By exploring these spaces safely, both can adopt new behaviours, discover fresh perspectives, and unlock new possibilities in their lives.
Whether you are a client or a practitioner of Lomilomi, practicing or experiencing Ka’a’lele’au can shift your reality toward greater joy, self-esteem, balance, and a more fulfilling life.
