AWARENESS MASSAGE lomilomi workshops:
would you like to LEARN MASSAGE, AND MORE,
INCORPORATING Hawaiian healing traditions?

This Lomilomi Fundamentals class teaches a clinically and structurally oriented, 60-90 minute full-body lomilomi massage. The hands-on techniques are done with intention to relieve pain and improve movement. The touch is bone deep yet gentle, and includes lomilomi strokes, long strokes, compressions, compression-tractions, exploratory ROM engagement and stretches, vibration, tapping, and traction.

Participants are introduced to Hawaiian healing philosophy including the concepts of aloha and other traditional values, connections with ancestors, ho’oponopono (right living and clearing wrong doing), and the power of words, thoughts and images in manifesting our desires and our life paths. Healing blessings and Hawaiian chants are included.

(NOTE: This lomilomi lineage shared in this class originated on Hawaii Island, commonly referred to as "The Big Island". This lineage differs from other lomilomi teachings which have been widely shared outside of Hawaii, and sometimes also in Hawaii, during the past 50 years. Rather than the long flowing strokes and abundant use of oil that many people on the mainland USA associate with lomilomi, this lineage of lomilomi uses more anatomically specifically focused techniques done with a modest amount of lubricant, and even sometimes done without lubricant and with the client clothed.)

This Lomilomi Fundamentals class establishes groundwork to be built on in advanced lomilomi classes.

This class can be taken in a three day, 9-hours per day, 27 CE hour intensive format.  It can also be taken as a series of four or five 8CE individual classes. The 8 CE individual classes are:

1. Lomilomi Palpation and Compressions – This class can be taken independently.
2. Lomilomi for Hips and Legs – This class can be taken independently.
3. Lomilomi for Back, Shoulders, Arms, Prone – This class can be taken independently.
4. Lomilomi for Belly, Chest, Neck, Head and full body review – This class can NOT be taken independently.  It can only be taken with the previous 3 listed classes.
   
5. Lomilomi Stretches and Movement Exploration – This supplemental class can be taken independently. It repeats Techniques taught in the previous 4 classes

PREREQUISITES: none

Participants practice exercises designed to develop the ability to touch bone deep in a gentle fashion.  Compression techniques on various parts of the body are taught with special attention given to compression of the buttocks.

The material covered in this class is traditionally done day 1 of the Lomilomi Fundamentals full body class done in the intensive format class. This class may be taken as a stand-alone class or along with the other Lomilomi Fundamentals classes for students wishing to learn the full body routine.  While taking this class before the other classes is not required, students who take this class first will clearly have an advantage.

The approach used in this class is consistent with the manner of palpation, the values, attitudes and thought processes, and the teaching style used in all Awareness Massage lomilomi classes.

PREREQUISITES: none

Participants learn to do lomilomi strokes, long strokes, compressions and passive range of motion and stretches for the hips and legs, both prone and supine.  These are all fundamental lomilomi movements. 

The material covered in this class is traditionally done day 1 and/or 2 of the  Lomilomi Fundamentals full body class taught in the intensive format.  This class may be taken as a stand-alone class, or together with the other Lomilomi Fundamentals classes for students wishing to learn the full body routine. 

The approach used in this class is consistent with the manner of palpation, the values, attitudes and thought processes, and the teaching style used in all Awareness Massage lomilomi classes.

PREREQUISITES: none.  However, students who also  take the Palpation Practice and Compressions class  will have a clear advantage. 

Participants learn to do lomilomi strokes, long strokes, compressions, and passive range of motion and stretches on the back, shoulders and arms with the client lying in the prone position.  These are all fundamental lomilomi movements.

The material covered in this class is traditionally done day 1 and/or 2 of the intensive Lomilomi Fundamentals full body intensive format class.  This class may be taken as a stand-alone class or together with the other Lomilomi Fundamentals classes for students wishing to learn the full body routine.

The approach used in this class is consistent with the manner of palpation, the values, attitudes and thought processes, and the teaching style used in all Awareness Massage lomilomi classes.

PREREQUISITES: none.  However, students who also  take the Palpation Practice and Compressions class  will have a clear advantage.

During the morning lomilomi strokes, long strokes, compressions, and range of motion exploration for the belly, chest, neck and head are taught. During the afternoon students do a supervised full body review.

The approach used in this class is consistent with the manner of palpation, the values, attitudes and thought processes, and the teaching style used in all Awareness Massage lomilomi classes.

PREREQUISITES: This class is offered only to students who are also taking these other three 8CE Lomilomi Fundamentals classes:  1) Palpations Practice and compressions, 2) hips and legs, and 3) the back, shoulders and arms prone.  This work is traditionally done on the last day of the intensive, Lomilomi Fundamentals full body intensive format class.

Participants learn to explore and expand range of motion for the back, neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles using passive range of motion, reciprocal inhibition, and more.  These movements are used within the full body Awareness Massage fundamental routine as taught in the Lomilomi Fundamentals class, and can also easily be integrated into other massage styles as well.  Clinical thinking is emphasized. 

The approach used in this class is consistent with the manner of palpation, the values, attitudes and thought processes, and the teaching style used in all Awareness Massage lomilomi classes.

PREREQUISITES: none

Participants in this class will learn a full body lomilomi massage treatment using hot stones and using the Awareness Massage approach.

My teachers tell me that lomilomi using round, flat stones in motion, have been used in Hawaii for hundreds of years to treat many levels of healing necessary to help restore balance in the mind-body-soul. Stones are used as an extension of the hands to help better access hard to reach physical restrictions.  The combination of the penetrating heat from the stones with the aligned use of body weight and specific presence and intention is powerful. 

Each student will learn how to collect stones using Hawaiian protocols, how to heat the stones and control the temperature, and how to clean the stones. 

This lomi lomi hot stones class may be taken either before or after the Awareness Massage Lomilomi Fundamentals class.  Because they build on each other, taking either one will help you pick up the information in the other more quickly. The approach used in this class is consistent with the manner of palpation, the values, attitudes and thought processes, and the teaching style used in all Awareness Massage lomilomi classes.

PREREQUISITES: none

The 27 CE hour specific treatment workshop covers techniques that will allow the practitioner to treat, relieve and/or resolve many problems that we commonly encounter such as pain, discomfort and/or movement difficulties in all joints in the body. Treatment techniques useful in treating arthritis, whiplash, headaches, golf & tennis elbow, joint replacement, carpal tunnel, pain in the pelvic region, sprained ankles, and more are taught. The body is viewed and treated as a clearly interrelated whole in which what occurs in one part of the body affects all other parts of the body.

This class can be taken a 3 day, 27 CE hour intensive format, or as a series of four 8CE individual classes which can all be taken independently.  The 8 CE individual classes are:

1. Lomilomi treatment for the upper back, rib cage, shoulders and arms - prone 
2. Lomilomi treatment for the ribcage, shoulders and neck - supine
3. Lomilomi treatment for the hips and low back
4. Lomilomi treatment done side lying
   

The approach used in this class is consistent with the manner of palpation, the values, attitudes and thought processes, and the teaching style used in all Awareness Massage lomilomi classes.

Prerequisite: Lomilomi Fundamentals workshop must be taken before taking the Lomilomi Specific Treatment workshop in the .3 day intensive format, but not for the 1 day classes.

Participants learn lomilomi specific treatment techniques to relieve pain, discomfort and/or movement restriction in the hips and low back.  These techniques are done with the client lying prone. Clinical thinking is emphasized.

The approach used in this class is consistent with the manner of palpation, the values, attitudes and thought processes, and the teaching style used in all Awareness Massage lomilomi classes.

PREREQUISITES: none. However, students have taken the Lomilomi Fundamentals class will have a clear advantage. 

Participants learn lomilomi specific treatment techniques to relieve pain, discomfort and/or movement restriction in the upper back, shoulders and arms.  These techniques are done with the client lying prone. Clinical thinking is emphasized.

The approach used in this class is consistent with the manner of palpation, the values, attitudes and thought processes, and the teaching style used in all Awareness Massage lomilomi classes.

PREREQUISITES: none. However, students have taken the Lomilomi Fundamentals class will have a clear advantage. 

Participants learn lomilomi specific treatment techniques to relieve pain, discomfort and/or movement restriction in the arms, chest, shoulders and neck.  These techniques are done with the client lying supine. Clinical thinking is emphasized.

The approach used in this class is consistent with the manner of palpation, the values, attitudes and thought processes, and the teaching style used in all Awareness Massage lomilomi classes.

PREREQUISITES: none. However, students have taken the Lomilomi Fundamentals class will have a clear advantage. 

Participants learn lomilomi specific treatment techniques to relieve pain, discomfort and/or movement restriction in the shoulders, arms, low back and hips with the client in a side lying position. This work can be used with any client for whom lying prone and/or supine is difficult or uncomfortable, including those who are pregnant or injured.  Access to hips and shoulders is provided in a way that very well complements techniques done prone and supine. Clinical thinking is emphasized.

The approach used in this class is consistent with the manner of palpation, the values, attitudes and thought processes, and the teaching style used in all Awareness Massage lomilomi classes.

It is useful, but not required, to take either the Lomilomi Foundational course and/or the Lomilomi Side Lying With a Relaxation Focus class before taking this class.  

PREREQUISITES: none. However, students have taken the Lomilomi Fundamentals class , and/or the Lomilomi Sidelying with a Relaxation Focus class will have a clear advantage. 

Participants learn lomilomi fundamental techniques with the client in a side lying position. This work is can be used with any client for whom lying prone and/or supine is difficult or uncomfortable, including those who are pregnant or injured.  Access to hips and shoulders is provided in a way that very well complements techniques done prone and supine.

The approach used in this class is consistent with the manner of palpation, the values, attitudes and thought processes, and the teaching style used in all Awareness Massage lomilomi classes.

PREREQUISITES: none

In this 8 hour Lomilomi Hands & Feet Treatment workshop you will learn techniques to palpate, release and/or tone muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones located in the hands, wrists, ankles and feet whose movement has been chronically restricted by:

•  Soft tissue injury such as strains or sprains caused by either a high impact event or by repetitive overuse
•  Damage caused by inadvertently lazy or misaligned posture
• Various diseases   
  

This work is intended to be incorporated into a full body massage given on a massage table. It is useful both for treatment of injuries or illnesses affecting the extremities and for general relaxation massage.

This workshop complements the Shoulder Treatment workshop. Taking them back to back is good if scheduling allows.

PREREQUISITES: none

In this 8 hour Lomilomi Shoulder Treatment workshop you will learn techniques to palpate, release and/or enliven muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones located in the shoulder and related areas whose movement has been chronically restricted by:

• Soft tissue injury such as strains or sprains caused by either a high impact event or by repetitive overuse
• Damage caused by inadvertently lazy or misaligned posture
• Various diseases   
  

This work is intended to be incorporated into a full body massage given on a massage table. It is useful both for treatment of injuries or illnesses affecting the extremities and for general relaxation massage.

This workshop complements the Lomilomi Hands & Feet Treatment workshop.  Taking  them back to back is good if scheduling allows.

PREREQUISITES: none

In this class students will learn massage of the ribcage, chest and breasts to support healthy breathing and general stress relief within full body wellness massage. Students also learn how this massage can benefit clients living with breast augmentation, breast reduction, mastectomy, fibrocystic breast tissue, and other non-cancerous breast conditions.

The chest and breast massage taught in this class is intended to be easily integrated into a holistic, full body session to relieve tension, stress and pain, and to increase our clients’ ease of movement in both the upper and lower body. This work consistently helps clients feel and connect with their whole body in a wonderful way that many have not previously experienced.

Emphasis is placed on making our touch safe, pleasant, sexually neutral, and effective for both female and male clients. In many of the techniques taught, pressure is directed to the muscles and ribs located deep to the mammary glands which are within breast tissue. Students will learn massage techniques which are done with the chest draped and other techniques which are done bare chested/breasted for both men and women.

More than half the class is devoted to hands on massage practice. The balance of the time is spent participating in discussion of the issues specific to breast massage listed below.

This course meets Washington State training requirements for specialized training in breast massage (WAC 246-830-555).

Course training includes:

• indications & contraindications
• therapeutic treatment techniques
• draping requirements
• appropriate therapist-client or patient boundaries
• expected outcomes
• client/ patient safety related to breast massage
• breast anatomy and physiology
• pathology

SPECIAL CLASSROOM POLICIES FOR THIS CLASS

By registering, Attendees agree to the following policies:

• Attendee must be a licensed massage therapist in any US State with an official massage licensing board, or a healthcare professional with breast massage in their scope of practice. If a massage therapist practices in a state without massage licensing, permission from the instructor is required.
• Attendee must be present for all class hours, including all lecture and technique demonstrations.
• Attendee understands that full chest and breast areas on both women and men* will be treated within this class, and that the full chest and breast will be undraped for much of the treatment.
• Attendee understands that the nipples and areolas will be touched during some of the treatment sequences as a general part of the breast. Specific nipple/areola treatment is not included in this course.
• Attendee agrees to both give and receive all techniques with fellow students, both male and female*. Friends or work associates taking the course together understand all students are expected to rotate "trades" with other students during practice times rather than only work with the same student(s) throughout the course.
• Attendee agrees to adhere to professional standards and ethics both during the course, as well as when working with the public in a clinical/office setting.
• In order to receive their Course Completion Certificate, all registering students agree to the these policies for this course. Any student who does not adhere to the course rules will be immediately asked to leave the course and will receive neither course credit nor tuition refund.

*  Note: I am willing to privately schedule breast and chest massage classes for 2-8 therapists.  These classes can be either females only or co-ed.  Contact me for more information.

PREREQUISITES: none

In this class we learn massage to support healthy breathing via massage of the posterior and anterior rib-cage, with specific attention to the chest and breasts.

Breast/chest/anterior rib-cage massage is taught with an emphasis on making our touch neutral, safe, pleasant and effective. Students will learn massage techniques which are done with the chest draped and other techniques which are done bare chested/breasted for both men and women. Care is given to directing our pressure to the muscles and ribs located deep to the mammary glands and breast tissue. Special attention is given to establishing professional boundaries in order to create a safe environment for this sensitive work. Indications and contraindications for breast massage are covered as well as legal and ethical issues related to breast massage.

Treating people diagnosed with serious breathing and/or breast tissue problems such as cancer is beyond the scope of this class; additional training is suggested for these conditions.

More than half the class hours are devoted to hands on massage practice. The balance of the time is spent doing body awareness and breathing exercises, and participating in group discussion of the issues specific to breast massage.  massage.

Male students are requested to register together with another person who will partner with them for chest massage practice during the afternoon session. Alternately, male students may bring a non-paying body buddy for the afternoon session who will allow said student to practice on her/his chest both with and without a drape.

This massage is intended to be integrated into a holistic, full body, wellness focused session to help our clients breathe more fully and easily, to relieve their stress and pain, and to increase their ease of movement in both the upper and lower body.  The approach used in this class is consistent with the manner of palpation, the values, attitudes and thought processes, and the teaching style used in other Awareness Massage lomilomi classes.

PREREQUISITES: none

In this class participants learn to palpate and identify various abdominal organs including the stomach, the liver, the greater omentum, the small intestine, the large intestine, the ileocecal valve and the abdominal fascia.  This work can help the organs themselves as well as the fascia and muscles which hold the organs in place to relax and/or tonify.  This massage can ease discomfort related to constipation, soft stool, gas, acid reflux and menstrual cramps, and can also ease musculoskeletal discomfort in the abdomen, back, pelvis, hips and ribcage. 

With practice, a skilled practitioner can use organ palpation to identify problems or disease processes related to the organs.  That is beyond the scope of this class.

The approach used in this class is consistent with the manner of palpation, the values, attitudes and thought processes, and the teaching style used in other Awareness Massage lomilomi classes.

PREREQUISITES: none

In this class students learn to massage fully clothed people “anywhere and anytime”, using the Awareness Massage lomilomi approach. Students learn to give massage in common environments in which people live, work and play, such as in our homes, in our work places, in our classrooms, at sporting events, in our churches, or in hospitals or nursing homes, etc. In these kinds of places professional massage tables and chairs are not usually available. Therefore, the receiver may sit on a sofa, a kitchen chair, an office chair, a stool, a bench, etc, and/or they may lie on the floor. 

While this massage can be used with paying clients, massage therapists can also easily use this massage to give massage sessions to our family, friends and colleagues.   These sessions may be a short as a few minutes, or as long as an hour, or more.

As in all our classes,each stroke is done with intention to produce specific, measurable, clinical and/or structural results. Is someone’s neck, back or shoulder stiff, stuck or aching, or do they have a headache? Learn techniques that can give relief in just a few minutes.

These are also good techniques to teach your clients to use at home.

Note: I offer both 4 and 8 hour versions of this class.  The 8 hour version includes more techniques than the 4 hour version.

The approach used in this class is consistent with the manner of palpation, the values, attitudes and thought processes, and the teaching style used in other Awareness Massage lomilomi classes.

PREREQUISITES: none

This  class includes hands on experience with several of the techniques,  a demonstration of a both basic and advanced work, and an introduction to the spiritual aspects of this work.  

In the 4 CE class you'll learn 4 techniques done on the back of the body.  In the 8 CE class you'll be able to give a simple lomilomi massage with the client prone by the end of the day.Participants get a feel for the deep yet gentle touch used in this work as well as for its clinical orientation.

Discover whether you’d like to study lomi lomi with Awareness Massage in more depth, or simply gain insights to apply to the massage you already practice.

The approach used in this class is consistent with the manner of palpation, the values, attitudes and thought processes, and the teaching style used in other Awareness Massage lomilomi classes.

PREREQUISITES: none

In this 4 CE hour Self-Massage workshop you learn ways to massage yourself to relieve common aches and pains such as headaches and/or stiff or painful joints - neck, back, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees or ankles.  Learn strokes done with your hands, forearms and feet as well as techniques done with balls and other massage tools.  Learn ways to use your breath and increase your body awareness.   You can use the techniques you learn in this class to relieve your own aches and pains.  You can also teach these techniques to your clients to use on themselves between sessions with you.

Because when you give yourself massage you are simultaneously the giver and the receiver, this is a fabulous way to develop your palpation sensitivity.  This class will help you touch others in a way that is both more specific and more subtly perfect.  You'll be more aware of what to look for in their tissues.   And...... expect to have fun in class!!

The approach used in this class is consistent with the manner of palpation, the values, attitudes and thought processes, and the teaching style used in other Awareness Massage lomilomi classes.

PREREQUISITES: none

Have you noticed that many LMTs avoid massaging the belly, important structural parts of the pelvis, and the chest and breasts because they either are unfamiliar with this practice or because they worry the client may experience their touch as inappropriate or sexual?  Although including these areas of the body can be effective in specific treatment focused massage, as well as in professional, full body massage for clients seeking a therapeutic, relaxing, feel-good  massage experience, this work must be done with careful and ethical communication for a positive outcome.  In this class we will explore these communication issues.

In this 4 CE hour class, using discussion topics, scenarios, self-examination, small-group interaction, and lecture presentation,  we will review applicable massage laws and rules in Washington State and in several neighboring states.  We will read and discuss specific complaints of inappropriate touch received by the Washington Department of Health and explore what the LMT could have and/or should have done differently.  We will discuss ways we promote our work, introduce our work, obtain client consent to proceed with the work, and document the massage to create favorable outcomes and avoid problems.  We will brainstorm responses to potentially challenging situations we could face. 

The learning in this class will support LMTs who choose to provide massage of the belly, pelvis, chest and breasts  to informed clients who choose to receive this work to do so confidently, effectively, and safely,

This class  meets the Washington State requirements for ethics, including roles and boundaries.

PREREQUISITES: none