"The Polynesian experts named kahunas in Hawaii, tohunas in Tahiti and tohungas in Aotearoa (New Zeland) have already discovered a tight relationship between healthy internal and external relations,  emotions as well as physical health centuries ago and before the birth of contemporary western psychology. They discovered that by changing internal relations, it is possible to influence psycho-physiological symptoms, such as the energy level, the efficiency of creating powers and happiness. Isolated from other cultures, they developed simple and efficient means to restore balance in our relationships, in shaping our destiny, in redefining the meaning of life, as well as good general condition and health. “Waiho wale kahiko” – The time to reveal the old secrets has come. 

The  knowledge of the kahunas has been accessible for only a narrow selected group through centuries. The kahuna candidates were selected by long tests and challenges. The activity of the kahunas was entirely forbidden and strictly punished until the 1970’s. Only certain part of the old knowledge could be revealed in the last 20-30 years. The guards of the knowledge (because this is the meaning of the word  ’kahuna’) carefully allow (if at all) non-aboriginals to access the knowledge. Our goal here is to research and share the accessible techniques for increasing the quality of life with the help of ethic principles, healthy relations and high vitality.

The Integrated Lomilomi® Massage and Bodywork course is intended to teach an authentic, living technique drawn from Hawaiian sources with its connected underlying principles and spiritual understandings in a unified and complete form.  Affectionate, friendly acceptance is so characteristic of Hawaii that an approach in which everything can be done in a number of ways is a natural accompaniment to its ALOHA spirituality.

Thus the main aim of studying—alongside acquiring the techniques—is to achieve an understanding of the underlying principles and the factors that motivate people in their choices and drives, in which the applied techniques are supporting aids. For this reason there are as many kinds of Lomilomi massages as there are families, clans and tribes practicing this form of art on Hawaii.

Also each student approaches things in a slightly different way, and places emphasis on different elements. Thus, for us, as opposed to the Hawaiians who are born into a living Hawaiian Lomilomi tradition passed down within families from generation to generation, the best we can do is to learn exclusively from a variety of authoritative and genuine sources wherever possible!"

(Witold Stanislaw Kucharzyk)

On the basic course (1-2 level) the whole-body massage is learned, and also two hula dances, as well the basic dance steps that are necessary elements of performing the full body massage.

In detail:

• Complete, well-understood and practiced basic version of Lomilomi Massage
• Joint stretching
• I’wa (in its full form: ka’alele au) – the “flying” dance, which is the basic step of massage practicing
• Hula dances for correct posture
• Breath exercises
• Hawaiian Principles
• Protocol

• advanced, extended movements and massage strokes
• four-hand massage exercises
• Hawaiian blessings
• energizing breathing exercises
• working with the Elements (Kahi Loa)
• more Hula dances

• "Free Flow" style as a possible application of Lomilomi
• Lomi ‘ili’ili – use of stones in Lomilomi massage (‘ili ‘ili in Hawaiian: “pebble in motion”)
• Lomi kupahana – use of hot towels, clay and mud
• Lomi Pa’akai – the use of sea salt
• Exercises for developing perception
• Working with the client lying on the side of the body  
• more Hula dances
• Lomi lole – clothed massage

The complete Integrated Lomilomi Massage and Bodywork course extends across 4 x 5-day blocks that amount to 160 hours.

There is also a few weeks time planned in between each level, to give enough time for practice and integration.

By the end of the full course ( 4 levels) you will be able to perform the whole-body massage extended with many advanced techniques.

You will be able to acquire sufficient knowledge to offer 1, 2 or 3 hour massages.

On the basic course (1-2 level) the whole-body massage is learned, and also two hula dances, as well the basic dance steps that are necessary elements of performing the full body massage. At the level 3 broader techniques are displayed. The lever 4 includes techniques for special cases, more advanced techniques and more dances.

On completion of the full course, participants will receive a certificate from the Witold Kucharczyk Polinesian Healing Arts Centre, with which they can offer a massage in the ‘reviving massage’ category. Certificates are also given after completing level 2 and 3.

No previous experience is required for an application to be submitted.

The course is intended for those who would like to take their life into their own hands, who would like to help their family and friends and, last but not least, to begin an exciting occupation in a line of work that is really a joy to do! 

Temple-style Lomilomi bodywork is a form of Hawaiian massage through which healing, - or more precisely - self-healing took place in dedicated temples. To this day, a fundamental element for this type of bodywork is the creation of an atmosphere of sanctuary around the treatment itself, with recognition of the true divine nature of the treated person and the contrast between that and their perceived personality.

Integrated Lomilomi effectively reduces stress and tension trapped in the body by old patterns of behavior, thus it is commonly signified as a ‘rite of passage’—practiced at the point at which an individual enters a new part of their life. In ancient times such massages were accompanied by songs, prayers and rituals, which could at times last for several days.

Although western civilization terms this kind of treatment ‘Hawaiian massage’ and often degrades it by offering it as a simplified commercial product, in reality it is much more, a sacred art– the art of touch, with unconditional love and full acceptance of a persons innate pure essence.

Only through persistent application, the healing of our own bodies, constant training, and the comprehension of our souls and the cooperation and support of our spirits can this level be reached.

It is also important to sustain a connection with Hawaiian spiritual culture. This aim is served by the ongoing practice of hula dancing.

All of the content of the Integrated Lomilomi® Massage and Bodywork Trainings come from my teacher, Witold Stanislaw Kucharczyk.

The bulk of his ‘temple style’ Lomilomi techniques originate from Kahu Abraham Kawai’i, and reached him via Susan Pai’niu Floyd who teaches this massage as Lomilomi Nui. He also studied Lomilomi on Hawaii from Kumu Auntie Maile Napoleon, where living together with her family he learned the styles of both her family and her tribe. Auntie Maile’s teachers were Kahu Lanikila Brandt and Kumu Kalua Pai’ea Kaiahua. The techniques he learned from her form a part of the training course. Finally, although he could never meet them personally, a great source of inspiration for him is Auntie Margaret Machado and Kahu Abraham Kawai’i. He was lucky although to learn Mana Lomi® from Maka’ala Yates, who’s knowledge was strongly influenced by Auntie Margaret.

The  Integrated Lomilomi® course also contains the elemental Hawaiian massage known as Kahi Loa, which Serge Kahili King shared with the world. There will also be time to get acquainted with the fundamentals of Hawaiian hula dancing, and to learn a few hula dances, that were passed down to me through Witold and Agnes Natkai, and was taught to them by Hawaiian teachers: Kumu Hula Loea Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, Hope Keawe and Kumu Raylene Ha’alelea Kawaiae’a.