There are many different styles of massage. You could say that massage is unique to the massage therapist and while each massage therapist identifies with certain schools of thought regarding technique and intention, the variations and possibilities are endless. There’s no one style that can be absolute best.
This weekend I had the opportunity to take a 27 training in a practice called, Mana Lomi with Barbara Heard. You may have heard of Lomi Lomi, a Hawaiia modality that is often described as a dance of rhythmic waves along the body. Mana Lomi was developed by Dr. Maka’ala Yates D.C. who studied with Auntie Margaret, one of the pioneers of teaching this ancient art to contemporary practitioners, and further developed this art form into a deep massage modality.
The Mana Lomi technique is based on Hawaiian concepts of working with the”mana” of the body, mind, and soul of the individual(that’s you). This holistic approach is what I really identify with, and more importantly the aspect of body awareness. In both my yoga teaching and my massage practice, I try to get clients in tune with themselves. Whether its an awareness of breathing patterns, eating habits, or even thought processes, awareness is key to getting to the root of things and initiating healthy change.
I am so glad that I found this modality and cannot wait to share it with massage clients. A typical session is about an hour and a half, using both massage and motion to achieve a truly deep massage experience. The massage client is key to the process so proper draping and pressure that suits the client is followed at all times.
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Tags: body awareness, chicopee massage, deep tissue massage, licensed massage therapist, mind-body connection
