What is Kahuna Massage?

Kahuna massage is an ancient therapeutic massage technique based on the teachings and practices of the Hawaiian Kahunas. In the language of native Hawaiians, the word "kahuna" is derived from "huna" which means "secret knowledge." In other words, a Kahuna was a master practitioner of the huna arts. The massage ("lomi lomi") was traditionally practiced in the Hawaiian Islands as one of the Kahuna healing arts and for relaxation. Kahuna massage in the West is also said to be therapeutic and extremely relaxing.

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What is Kahuna Massage or Kahuna Bodywork?

As a holistic bodywork, Kahuna massage eliminates energy blockages in the body to allow life to flow freely throughout the mind, body and spirit. It involves long, flowing strokes that reconnect the individual to the core of their being and restore balance to their life.

There are two important aspects of Kahuna massage that set it apart from other types of massage therapy:

1. It is very rhythmic and vigorous. The practitioner uses their hands, elbows, fingers and even their forearms as they rhythmically move around the table. The people who have experienced lomi lomi before often said that the rhythmic motions alone already have a deeply relaxing effect that is different from the muscle relaxation coming from conventional massages.
2. In Kahuna massage, the practitioner's intention and focus is of paramount importance. They are trained to be focused totally on their client with an attitude of compassion and love, which is the essence of the "aloha" spirit that is sacred to the Hawaiian people.

The Kahuna massage is often said to be a holistic natural therapy that is designed to heal the body, mind, and spirit. Before starting the massage session, the practitioner may encourage you to talk about the physical and emotional reasons for wanting to have the treatment. By doing so, it helps them to adjust themselves to your needs before the massage starts.

The rhythmic "hula" style movements of the practitioner as they "dance" around the table are also meant to create a harmony between the practitioner and the client.

The Difference Between Temple Style Bodywork & Lomi Lomi Massage

Lomi lomi is a holistic healing art that covers a variety of massage styles that vary from one family to another, and are passed down through generations. It incorporates rhythmic strokes, breath, hula and spirit. The Temple Style Bodywork, also known as Kahuna massage, is one style of lomi lomi which employs flowing strokes using the hands, elbows and forearms to stimulate the flow of energy throughout the client's body and synchronise their breath and heartbeat. 

In a Kahuna bodywork, the therapist applies body oil to the client's body before performing the rhythmical strokes, allowing their hands to glide freely and the client to reconnect with their inner self and transform on a cellular level. 

Temple Style Bodywork and Lomi Lomi Massage are both forms of bodywork with roots in ancient Hawaiian healing practices. Though they share similarities in their origins and basic principles, they have distinct differences in terms of techniques, focus, and benefits.

Temple Style Bodywork:

1. Techniques: Temple Style Bodywork, also known as Sacred Lomi or Hawaiian Temple Bodywork, incorporates flowing strokes, deep tissue work, and joint rotations. Practitioners use their hands, forearms, elbows, and sometimes even knees and feet to apply pressure and create fluid, rhythmic movements.

2. Focus: Temple Style Bodywork aims to release physical and emotional blockages, promoting a harmonious flow of energy throughout the body. It is rooted in the ancient Hawaiian philosophy of Huna, which emphasizes the connection between mind, body, and spirit. The practitioner creates a sacred space and may use elements like prayer, chanting, and breathwork to facilitate the healing process.

3. Benefits: Temple Style Bodywork can lead to deep relaxation, increased flexibility, improved circulation, and a greater sense of well-being. By addressing energetic imbalances, it can also help to release emotional trauma, reduce stress, and promote spiritual growth.

Lomi Lomi Massage:

1. Techniques: Lomi Lomi Massage, also known as Traditional Hawaiian Massage or Loving Hands Massage, focuses on long, flowing strokes using the hands, forearms, and elbows. The practitioner applies continuous, rhythmic pressure and uses a combination of deep and light strokes to work on various layers of muscle and tissue.

2. Focus: The primary aim of Lomi Lomi Massage is to encourage physical and emotional healing by restoring balance within the body. Practitioners believe that the body holds onto negative emotions and memories, which can manifest as physical tension and pain. By applying nurturing, loving touch, the massage helps to release these blockages and restore harmony.

3. Benefits: Lomi Lomi Massage offers a range of benefits, including relaxation, improved circulation, and the release of muscle tension. It also helps to reduce stress, anxiety, and emotional blockages, leading to a greater sense of overall well-being.

In summary, while both Temple Style Bodywork and Lomi Lomi Massage share a common Hawaiian heritage and focus on restoring balance within the body, they differ in techniques, specific focus, and the range of benefits they offer. Temple Style Bodywork incorporates more varied techniques and has a stronger emphasis on the spiritual aspects of healing, while Lomi Lomi Massage focuses primarily on nurturing, flowing strokes to release physical and emotional tension.

Origins and Philosophy Behind Kahuna Massage

According to the Hawaiian Kahunas, Kahuna massage was originally practised in the royal temples of Hawaii to address the ailments of the king and other members of the royal family. It also played an important role in various rites of passage. 

The bodywork works on improving the posture and motion of the client while taking into account the seven Kahuna principles. In doing so, the practitioner allows the client to develop self-awareness and experience transformational healing.

Rite of Passage & the Hawaiian Philosophy

Because it was traditionally practised during rites of passage ceremonies in the royal temples, Kahuna massage is worth receiving when you're going through a life transition. It is unlike any other bodywork as it goes beyond improving physical health. Besides alignment and relaxation, a practitioner of this bodywork can guide their client to developing mental clarity, self-awareness, happiness and love by employing the seven principles of the Hawaiian philosophy:

• IKE – The world is what you think it is.
• KALA – There are no limits to what you can do. Limitations only exist in one's mind.
• MAKIA – Your life is where you put your focus on.
• MANAWA – You are not defined by your past or future. The present gives you the power to act on the changes that you want to make in your life.
• ALOHA – Love is happiness
• MANA – The power to do what you decide to do lies in you, not outside of you.
• PONO – Any plan, when put into action, will reap positive results.

Healing the Body, Mind & Soul

Perhaps the use of oil on the body is the only similarity between a massage therapy and a Kahuna bodywork. Apart from that, the latter is more holistic in nature as it works on the mind, body and soul as an integrated whole instead of separate parts. The practitioner doesn't stroke the body to address an ailment, but to shift the energy that flows within it to release unhealthy patterns of behaviour, beliefs and emotions.

Kahuna & Self-Healing

Stimulating the flow of energy within the body through Kahuna massage supports the body's inherent ability to heal itself and restore balance to the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of an individual. Every single stroke used aims to stimulate the body's natural wisdom so that it can apply changes where they are needed. 

Kahuna Massage Benefits

The Kahuna massage can help stimulate the different systems in the human body such as the lymphatic, circulatory, respiratory, and digestive systems. It is also used to treat various conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome, asthma, muscle tension, joint stiffness and headaches. Many people who've experienced this bodywork can also vouch for its efficacy in addressing a host of emotional problems such as:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Grief
• Trauma
• Fears and phobias
• Low self-esteem
• Exhaustion

Kahuna massage can also help improve your outlook, especially if you're currently standing at the crossroads of your life. Changing jobs, getting married, the birth of your first child or uncertainty as to which direction to take in your life shouldn't cause feelings of fear. With the guidance of a Kahuna bodywork practitioner, you will be able to go through any phase with ease and grace.

While it is not necessary to have an education in the traditions and beliefs of the ancient Hawaiians in order to benefit from Kahuna massage, an understanding of some of their core beliefs may help you appreciate it better. In a lot of ways, the philosophy of the Kahunas is similar to the philosophies of other ancient cultures. The word "huna" is an amalgam of two ancient Hawaiian language words: "hu" which means male energy and "na" which means female energy. A Kahuna massage is designed to bring the two internal energies into balance similar to how the Traditional Chinese Medicine is designed to balance the yin and yang (female and male) energies.

Additionally the following are often reported benefits of kahuna massage

1. Alleviating muscle tension: Kahuna massage utilizes long, rhythmic, and flowing strokes that resemble ocean waves. This technique helps to release muscle tension by gradually applying pressure and stretching the muscle fibers. The practitioner uses their hands, forearms, and elbows to cover larger areas of the body, which helps in breaking down knots and adhesions. The massage also improves blood circulation and oxygen supply, promoting relaxation and faster recovery.

2. Reducing joint stiffness: Kahuna massage incorporates passive joint movements and stretches to improve flexibility and mobility. The therapist gently moves the client's limbs through their natural range of motion, reducing joint stiffness and improving overall joint health. This approach can be particularly beneficial for people with arthritis or other joint-related issues.

3. Enhancing lymphatic drainage: The rhythmic and flowing strokes in Kahuna massage stimulate the lymphatic system, which is responsible for eliminating toxins and waste products from the body. By promoting better lymphatic flow, the massage helps in detoxification, strengthening the immune system, and reducing inflammation.

4. Addressing emotional issues: Kahuna massage is not only focused on the physical body but also on the emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual. The practitioner's intuitive touch and the incorporation of breathwork allow for a deeper connection between the therapist and the client. This connection helps to release emotional blockages, enabling the client to let go of negative emotions, stress, and anxiety.

5. Balancing energy: In the Kahuna tradition, the body is believed to have a life force energy called mana. Imbalances in this energy can lead to physical and emotional issues. Kahuna massage incorporates energy work to restore the balance and flow of mana, facilitating healing on multiple levels.

6. Promoting relaxation and stress reduction: The nurturing and soothing techniques used in Kahuna massage create a deep sense of relaxation for the client. This relaxation helps to reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure, and improve mental clarity.

7. Assisting in recovery from injuries and surgeries: The gentle stretching and manipulation techniques used in Kahuna massage can help to improve blood circulation, reduce swelling, and promote healing in injured or post-surgical tissues. The massage also encourages the release of endorphins, which can help alleviate pain and speed up the recovery process.

Evidence of Benefits supporting Kahuna Massage

1. Reduced stress and anxiety: A meta-analysis of 37 studies involving massage therapy showed that it can lead to significant improvements in psychological well-being (Moyer et al., 2004). Specifically, the study found that massage therapy was effective in reducing stress and anxiety, which can be considered applicable to Kahuna massage due to its focus on relaxation and stress reduction.

2. Improved immune function: A study conducted by Rapaport et al. (2010) found that a single session of Swedish massage led to a significant increase in white blood cells, which play a crucial role in the immune system. As Kahuna massage incorporates similar techniques, it could also have a positive impact on immune function.

3. Reduced pain and improved function in chronic pain sufferers: A systematic review and meta-analysis by Furlan et al. (2008) found that massage therapy can be effective in reducing pain and improving function in people with chronic pain conditions like low back pain, neck pain, and fibromyalgia. As Kahuna massage aims to release tension and provide relaxation, it could be beneficial for those experiencing chronic pain.

4. Improved sleep quality: A study by Field et al. (2007) found that massage therapy led to an increase in delta waves, which are associated with the deepest levels of relaxation and restoration. 

Find a Kahuna massage therapist in your area if you are searching for a unique form of massage that is based on ancient spiritual traditions. It may change your life. If not, you will at least come away feeling relaxed and refreshed and invigorated.