HISTORY OF THE LOMILOMI MASSAGE

The early Polynesian settlers brought their own form of massage and, like a canoe plant, it evolved to become something uniquely Hawaiian. It was practiced by everyone, from child to chief. As an indigenous practice that evolved over hundreds of years in isolated valleys throughout the island chain, there are many different "schools" of lomilomi with different approaches and techniques.

After American missionaries arrived in 1820 and converted many in the Kingdom of Hawaii to Christianity, traditional healing arts were scorned as heathen and primitive. Various laws prohibited "heathen" worship and any related Native Hawaiian healing practices. Lomilomi as part of medical practice went underground. But lomilomi as restorative massage remained popular not only among the Hawaiians, but among foreign residents and visitors as well. Charles Wilkes describes it being offered after his ascent of Mokuaweoweo in 1841 on the United States Exploring Expedition.

American writer Charles Nordhoff wrote about his experience with lomilomi massage in his 1875 book, Northern California, Oregon, and the Sandwich Islands For Robert Louis Stevenson it was "disagreeable", but English adventurer Isabella Bird found it delightful. Not only did foreigners receive lomilomi, they also gave it. According to the first Director of the Bishop Museum, writing in 1908, one of the most skilled practitioners was Sanford Dole, one of the leaders of the overthrow of the Kingdom.

Although the Legislature of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi banned curing through "superstitious methods" in 1886, massage was not subject to legislation until 1945. In 1947, the Board of Massage was established to regulate lomilomi and massage. The law required practitioners to pass a written test on anatomy, physiology and massage theory. Many renowned native healers were unable or unwilling to pass the test, and thus lomilomi as restorative massage was forced underground. In 2001, the Legislature passed Act 304, amending HRS section 453, allowing native practitioners to be certified by the Hawaiian medical board, Papa Ola Lōkahi, or by the various community health centers. This law is controversial among some native practitioners, but those who are certified can provide lomilomi without fear of prosecution under Hawaii state law.

Lomilomi is now a common and popular massage modality throughout the world, especially in Hawaii, Japan and Europe.

Many traditionally taught lomilomi practitioners find it virtually impossible to offer authentic lomilomi in a spa setting and are unwilling to work in most spas or massage offices. They prefer to treat selected clients quietly and privately, often in home settings. Lomilomi practitioners may also ask their clients to pray, meditate, change their diets, and engage in other self-help activities usually believed to lie outside the scope of massage in an effort to truly help the clients obtain optimal health.

Unlike traditional lomilomi kupuna (elder) recognized by the Hawaiian community who require students to study with them for years, some massage schools around the world purport to train therapists in lomilomi in a few hours. Some massage therapists may practice what they call lomilomi and incorporate techniques from other massage modalities during the session. While often pleasant, this style of massage is very different from authentic lomilomi.

ICTIOTERAPIA

The Latest pedicure treatment,in fashion, in Europe and Asia, what is your opinion about it, would you offer this treatments to your clientele?, do you think this have a great potential for marketing, give us your opinion.

This treatment is something totally new and never before seen. Is that the ictioterapia is carried out with the aid of fish known Garra Rufa originating in Asia.

These small fish have no teeth These tiny amphibians, who live in the basins of the rivers of Turkey, come without fear, you kiss, you caress and you suck gently to provide a micro-very pleasant massage which becomes a source of energy for your whole body.
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These tiny amphibians, who live in the basins of the rivers of Turkey, come without fear, you kiss, you caress and you suck gently to provide a micro-very pleasant massage which becomes a source of energy for your whole body.

It is a very good treatment for psoriasis and wound healing, since it has an effect regenerative. It is an excellent massage which also serves to improve circulation, relax and deeply hydrate skin. These fish are solely responsible for all these benefits skin. In addition, they secrete an enzyme called dithranol used in cosmetics to make rejuvenating creams.

The treatment involves immersing the feet in the water, where they almost immediately begin to hundreds of fish do their job. At first you feel a slight tingling sensation that the time is transformed into a pleasant and relaxing massage. The fish eat the hardness and skin leaving dead feet and skin like new.

Each session lasts about 30 minutes and who have experienced this particular alternative treatment say at the end feels like the best pedicure of your life.

This type of alternative treatments are more accepted in the centers as an alternative to spa pedicure and manicure, but is now studying the possibility of practicing ictioterapia throughout the body with medicinal purposes than aesthetic.

Importantly, as always happens with anything new, there are those who take advantage and offer ictioerapia treatments with other fish that do have teeth and can seriously damage the skin. The only fish that are used for ictioterapia are these the Garra Rufa. Any other treatment, even if we ensure that effective, must be rejected if it is another fish

Hot Stone Therapy

Hot stones have been used for spiritual and physical balancing since 1500 BC and the benefits of thermal heat have been known and used for thousands of years. In 1993, hot stone massage was developed as an alternative therapy to offer a deeper form of massage that works on many different levels.

Hot stone therapy uses basalt stones (volcanic molten rock) which are excellent conductors of heat to massage and re-balance the mind, body and spirit. These basalt stones contain a powerful vibrational energy that assists the internal energy flow within the body and, as a result, directs energy to areas of blockage. As these energies move in and out of the body, negative energies are released and complete homeostasis is achieved when the body starts to facilitate self-healing and repair. Physical benefits of hot stone therapy:

* Stimulates microcirculation and cell function promoting the rate of tissue repair
* Stimulates metabolism by 10-15% due to the rise in body temperature (great for clients wanting to lose weight)
* Effects last much longer than traditional massage, up to ten times longer
* Detoxifying
* Ten times deeper than traditional massages
Psychological benefits of hot stone therapy:

* Creates total well-being
* Dissolves stress
* Restores emotional balance
* Nurturing

During a treatment hot stone placement is used to re-align the chakras and concentrate on specific areas of blockage, while additional stones are used to massage the body. To get the most out of this treatment the body must be treated holistically and, therefore, at least one hour is needed. Hot stones have been used for spiritual and physical balancing since 1500 BC and the benefits of thermal heat have been known and used for thousands of years. In 1993, hot stone massage was developed as an alternative therapy to offer a deeper form of massage that works on many different levels. Hot stone therapy uses basalt stones (volcanic molten rock) which are excellent conductors of heat to massage and re-balance the mind, body and spirit.

These basalt stones contain a powerful vibrational energy that assists the internal energy flow within the body and, as a result, directs energy to areas of blockage. As these energies move in and out of the body, negative energies are released and complete homeostasis is achieved when the body starts to facilitate self-healing and repair.

Physical benefits of hot stone therapy: * Stimulates microcirculation and cell function promoting the rate of tissue repair * Stimulates metabolism by 10-15% due to the rise in body temperature (great for clients wanting to lose weight) * Effects last much longer than traditional massage, up to ten times longer * Detoxifying * Ten times deeper than traditional massages Psychological benefits of hot stone therapy:

* Creates total well-being
* Dissolves stress * Restores emotional balance
* Nurturing During a treatment hot stone placement is used to re-align the chakras and concentrate on specific areas of blockage, while additional stones are used to massage the body.

To get the most out of this treatment the body must be treated holistically and, therefore, at least one hour is needed.

The Pale Face Was The Norm For Centuries

Through many centuries, a pale face was the desired look because it defined your place in society. It was recognized that those who worked in the fields had tanned and rugged skin. They were the working class, not to be associated with the upper refined class, who had white skin. Those with pale skin were the ones who had enough money that they didn’t need to work.

And to achieve that look, women and men used a powder made of hydroxide, carbonate, and lead oxide. Unfortunately, there was a price to pay for looking “proper” – lead poisoning. That’s why an alternative was sought. And they found it, in the 19th century – a facial powder made of zinc oxide. And that’s what they still use today.

As the cosmetic industry moved into Hollywood in the 20th century, the white face look was gradually replaced by the tanned look. And that became the source of a whole new line of cosmetic products – artificial tanners. In 1929, there were ads running for tanning liquid and powder. If you couldn’t get a tan naturally, then you could still have bronze skin with tanning aids.

Not all Spa Director are the same

In the Spa industry, is many different kind of Spa Directors, an every single one is different ,

If you work for an Hotel, this happen very often,people move to different's positions, and then you see employees, going all around town, sometime we detect ,the same person in three different Spas in the same year , not commitment,not loyalty, that really doesn't look very good, for image.

Well going back to the Spa Topic, about Hotels, Many Hotels,they don't see ,the Spa as a part of a great revenue maker, an the potential to reach the goals, Hotel see the Spa's as an ancillary component for the hotel,service are just part of the amenities, some hotels also provide free treatments,in order to sell rooms, turning the situation even worth,because the therapist practically, have to work for the minimum or sometimes for free, because the Sales & Marketing office in the hotel, promise the guest a free massage, upon arrival, and this goes against the Spa budget, reflecting in loosest .

The other phenomenon is , let say you are in Food & Beverage as an Assistant or Coordinator, for that department, and a positions become open at the Spa, as an Assistant Spa Director, most probably the Hotel applicant is gone to get it, because all ready work there,( seniority), and is, in the house,jumping all the other importance, or fundamentals, the how to look for the right candidate for the Spa.

Many of the Spa Directors start in hotels, as part of other departments, and time to time , has been promoted to this position, as you can see, not training it all, only in management, like any other department in the hotel,let say,this is very top brand hotel, with a very good Sales and Marketing department, that means, The Spa Director, just seat in the office , and people, star coming in, without you, doing any effort, in marketing, the services sales by it self, many hotel Spa Directors, have not comprehension it all, about the Spa Career.

What about the real Spa Directors , with many years of experience, which starT, as a receptionist, and escalating the positions gradually, until they become managers ,and then Spa Directors, some of then are Therapist,and still learning the pace of the market.

Unfortunately The Gold Diggers Spa Directors,are ruining the market,for those who really make a career an a way of living in this profession, making the market very difficult for real and committed professionals,been a few months in one place,and then moving to another place,always looking for the dollar sign,showing to the employer,instability,not loyalty,not engagement,living behind it very bad image,for the next one to take place.

Usually this kind of Spa director comes from top hotels,with six figures salary,and then,the reality it's show in the reports for L&P, creating a huge concern to the corporate accounting, closing the position,taking off the titles as Spa Director,and just calling the positions Spa Manager.

Spa Director must possess strong financial leadership, marketing savvy and operational expertise.

Financial

Marketing

Customer Service

Staffing & Human Resources

Planning

Operations

DID YOU KNOW ? HONEY MASK

Honey mask

Did you know that when mummies where excavated and examined, experts found that a food substance is used on the bodies in order to be pure honey? In fact, many scientists believe that honey is one of the reasons why the mummies of Egypt were preserved well.

Honey is not only beneficial to the embalming. In fact,People who are alive and in good health may also avail themselves to keep their skin clear and smooth. Since honey is a humectant, may attract and retain water, keep the skin well supplied with moisture. You can use honey for face, skin and hair. Just make sure your face and body minutes after putting the honey, because you do not want the color that leaves your wash. Moreover, also for pure natural product, honey, ants and other insects on you because the sugar content was determinedlow quality honey.

Spirituality In The Spa.?

The trend in the spa industry seems to be about moving spas away from spirituality.

Let's ask again,why do you like to go,to the Spa? most probably could be because, you are looking the way,to have a time with yourself,also to put your ideas in order,your senses in balance,to be pamper,because you deserved,after a very hard week,dealing with stress,traffic,noise,perhaps for a medical reason,whatever is the reason, is a common dominator,We are, all looking for spirituality.

A moment to take off,with our minds,fly away to paradise,whatever it is,feel magic hands taking care of you,hands who understand how to please you,going beyond a physical experience to nourish your soul.

A remarkable moment,which will energize you,invigorate you,rejuvenate you,

How many of you,feel a connection with your massage therapist?
is very important to find your connection in the Spa, how soon you are entering in to the facility, you must feel the sense of spirituality, means you are in the right place.

Massage therapists need to be compassion and understanding,to reflect this qualities,through there hands,giving love and care.

When you hire is really crucial, to be sure you are choosing loving, nurturing and spiritual Spa technicians.

Ayurveda for example,is more connected with spirituality,Life according to Ayurveda is a combination of senses, mind, body and soul. It is clear from this definition of life that Ayurveda is not only limited to body, or physical symptoms but also gives a comprehensive knowledge about your spiritual inner quest.

I suggest strongly to research Ayurveda,because it the way to approach even more to your soul,Ayurvedic began originally as an oral tradition. Ayurvedic was first documented in the earliest books of Sanskrit literature called the Vedas, scriptures that formed the foundation of Hinduism. The first book, Rig Veda, contains a list of healing plants and descriptions of their uses. Another book, Atharva Veda, mentions more plants and their therapeutic uses. The Vedas scriptures can be traced back to 1000 B.C.

Also are other avenues in order to find spirituality, like traditional Natives American treatments, Thai treatments,Traditional Chinese,Mother Nature. etc etc.

In this crazy race to competed for market and designs, we forget the most important part,the most essential in the Spa, "spirituality".

Some Spas are very beautiful,but doesn't mean,is the right place,some of then are cold and impersonal,taking minimalism style to the extreme,or the other way,very loaded,to many buddhas to many statues,etc etc.

I strongly suggest to do an evaluation to your Spa,and call an specialist in Feng Shui,the specialist will determine exactly,what element is missing in the Spa.

To conclude, creating spiritual areas in the Spa,is what many Spa enthusiast are really looking for, more people are opening themselves up to the spirituality, the spa experience is achieved when 'all Five Senses: Sight, Sound, Touch, Smell and Taste are in balanced.

Freddie Garcia
Director of Communications
Spa International Group