Watching a trained dancer perform gives new meaning to the word holistic. The entire body works in harmony with itself, its environment, the music, and other dancers as a graceful whole.

Our culture rarely sees the body this way. Our clients are constantly thinking of their bodies as a series of pieces: I like my hair, but I don’t like my butt, my right hip hurts when it rains, I broke my ankle in college, I wish my thighs were thinner and my nose shorter …

Even massage therapists fall into this trap of missing the forest for the trees. We work on this trigger point or that sore muscle, and addressing the body as a whole becomes an afterthought to the massage. When we address our own body mechanics, it’s about adjusting the feet, the back, the positioning of the arms.

When was the last time your massage felt graceful? What if giving massage were more like a dance?

Carrie RowellOne answer is clear when watching internationally certified massage therapist Carrie Rowell at work. For the last 15 years she has studied the various Hawaiian traditional healing practices. In addition to lomi lomi, she also teaches sacred dance, and it comes through in her massage. Watching her practice is like watching hula dance, not a motion without purpose or without grace.

Lomi lomi has its roots deep in Hawaiian culture and spirituality. Originally taught by kahunas, or shamans, this family-based practice was used not just to repair what was not working, but to promote health. It’s a unique form of massage that feels entirely different from Swedish or more muscle-specific types, but can be integrated seamlessly with them if desired. Learning lomi lomi can help extend your career not only by bringing in and retaining clients with its deeply relaxing nature, but also by promoting career longevity with harmonious body mechanics that can sustain you for years to come.

CarrieRowell Intro LomiLomiOn May 21, Carrie will be presenting an Introduction to Hawaiian Lomi Lomi as part of the Tools for Touch CE Webinar. She’ll begin by teaching a short sequence called Opening the Path, which can be used on its own as a short massage, or as an opening for a longer massage session. She’ll then delve into the long forearm strokes that lomi lomi is known for, connecting head to toe in a way that not only leaves your client feeling whole and refreshed, but also you. Carrie is known for her spirit of joy as a teacher. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from her firsthand!

Hawaiian DancerYou don’t need to be a ballerina to learn this dance. You just need to be a massage therapist with an open heart who is ready to try something new. Register today to take part in this transformative webinar.

Ho’olu komo la kaua (Please join us) at the webinar!