Because of the myriad of choices in massages out there, it may sometimes be a little difficult choosing between one or the other. Two of the most popular massages that came from foreign soil is the Lomi lomi Massage from Polynesia (or Hawaii) and the Thai massage.

Although they both focus on the concept of massages for healing, where they both differ most is the technique they use. While the Lomi massage doesn’t focus on any particular area to help calm the body completely, the Thai massage will focus on different pressure points in the body in order to help loosen the tension. In a Lomi massage, full contact is needed between the masseuse and the client in order to fully find the energy blockages in the body. It goes to say that during these Lomi lomi sessions, clients are required to take off their clothing in order for them not to block the rhythm needed for a slow or fast massage session. With a Thai massage, there is still interaction as the masseuse will help you achieve certain yoga movements in which case you can just be fully clothed.

Lastly, a Lomi massage is milder and softer. Because it is derived from the concept of love and harmony, the lomi massage is never painful even if it tries to break up harmful detriments like lactic acid and calcium deposits in the body. In a Thai massage, because pressure is needed in certain areas, there is a chance of it being a little painful. As is, those with medical conditions however mild should be careful when engaging in a Thai massage.

For ultimate health benefits minus the pain, try the Lomi lomi massage now.

*image from www.massage2bfit.com

Unlike other massages where masseuses are simply trained to apply the technique taught to them, a Lomi lomi massage involves high emotional participation from the masseuses or therapists. Engaging in a Lomi lomi massage is a very spiritual undertaking with the masseuse undergoing a give-and-take interaction with your body. They give energy to the body by restoring its natural harmony as taught in the Huna philosophy from Hawaii, where the Lomi massage originated and they take away all the harmful blockages that may cause energy to be hindered in the muscles.

The beginning of the massage even starts with a moment of silence followed with a prayer which the therapist says while resting his hands on your back. Usually, the therapist asks for bodily healing to be achieved by your sessions. After which, he goes into an instinctive flowing movement with his hands and forearms, trying to see where the energy blockages or tension is found in your body. Because of this, there is no specific format that a therapist follows in a Lomi lomi massage. The session really just depends on how your body responds to the sessions.

Traditional Huna practitioners will even dance and hum to an invisible beat during the sessions. It is said that humming and a steady rhythm will help release whatever blockages are found in the muscles.

The therapist himself will respond with either a slow session or a fast session. It is assured though that the massage is never painful. He may help your body participate by moving some of your limbs or rotating the joints but these are done in a very mild manner. And always, always throughout the session, the therapist gives his rapt attention to you.

This too invokes harmony. Build a spiritual connection with a Lomi lomi practitioner by finding the best one available now.

Because of the foreign-sounding name, a lot of first-timers are afraid to try the Lomi lomi massage. But there really is nothing to be apprehensive about as long as you are well-prepared for the occasion. First off, you need to understand that the Lomi massage needs a lot of interaction between masseuse and client, therefore very minimal clothing should be brought when planning to engage in a session. For the ladies, a bikini or a light shirt will do.  Sometimes the spa service will also give you disposable pants or bottoms for the session.

Although the massage is not overly aggressive, it would help to avoid any heavy meals or heavy drinking sessions a few hours before the Lomi massage is to take place. You don’t want to confuse your body by working too hard digesting your last intake and trying to relax at the same time.

If you are planning to have your Lomi lomi massage session in between appointments or work, make sure to bring extra clothes. It would also be preferable to try it when you’re not chasing after time or engaging in heavy activity since these sessions are quite tedious and are not quick to finish. In practical terms, the oils used in the session might not go well with your hair products or make-up, so it’s best to avoid putting both during the day of the session.

Lastly, it would also help if you are aware if you are under any sensitive medical condition such as when you have a heart ailment or when you think you’re pregnant.

Conquer your fear of the unknown and try a lomi lomi massage now. You will find that taking action reaps its points in more ways than one.

*image from http://files.myopera.com/mrcmassage/blog/

For those of you who have not yet experienced a Lomi Lomi massage, not only are you missing out on one of the most relaxing and comforting pleasures, but also, you are not providing your body with the many benefits this Hawaiian massage offers. Here are the benefits of a Lomi Lomi massage for you:

1. It helps relieve stress and tension. Lomi Lomi massage relaxes the muscles and reduces stress throughout the body that has been stored up in the muscles and mind. This will let you breathe and focus better.

2. It helps eliminate any pain in the body. Lomi Lomi massages use their elbows, hands, thumbs and even sticks and stones during the therapy. They come upon any pressure points with these so as to help get rid of all body pains.

3. It reduces fevers and symptoms of ailments. A Lomi Lomi massage can bring down fevers and the penchant for illness as the therapists have the expertise and years of training in locating pressure points to help them do so. It reduces the symptoms of many illnesses this way (but does not cure fully).

4. It helps relax the nervous system. By doing so, stress is kept off your stomach, intestines, and your heart by the therapy. The heart also pumps blood more easily throughout the body. In addition, a Lomi Lomi massage helps the digestive system function more effectively.

5. It improves the healing process and speeds up recovery time from any condition.

6. It provides spiritual healing. With the prayers and beliefs of the Lomi Lomi masseurs throughout the session, an awakening of your soul will be felt after the session.

7. It comforts the mind and opens up your vision. A Lomi Lomi massage relaxes the mind and will make you more imaginative and creative. You tend to become more emotional this way.

*image from http://www.hawaiianhotstone.com.au

Tips for during your massage:

• When you feel you require more pressure on certain points of your body, tell your therapist and ask him for more pressure.

• Always speak up during the session. If you feel like you are uncomfortable with something, the room temperature, lighting, or even the style of the massage, say something instead of remaining quiet.

• Tell your therapist about your health conditions beforehand. If you suffer from any medical problem, skin disease, or are pregnant, your therapist must know so that he changes his style of massage (massages for anyone with a health condition may differ).

• Discuss about the aching muscles or other parts of the body hurting. By doing so, the therapist knows where to focus on more.

• Do not tense your muscles. Let your body be at ease so that the massage is more effective.

• Breathe deeply so that you are relaxed and get a proper ‘feel’ of the massage.

• You can ask you masseuse to combine aromatherapy or flower essences to bring an even more comforting experience.

Tips for after the massage:
• Do not get off the table immediately so that you avoid getting a blood rush. Lie on the table for a few minutes after the massage session is complete.

• Drink a few glasses of water. By doing so, your body removes toxins which have been released from the massage.

• Take a warm bath or shower after your massage. This is extremely refreshing.

*image from http://www.experiencefestival.com

Massages are not best for some people, and there are many reasons why this is so. But if a masseuse is well-trained and qualified, he or she will be capable of working around the condition to make sure you are treated well and are relaxed throughout the session.

In case you are suffering from any one of these conditions, seek help from your massage therapist:

• Fever
• Infectious Disease
• Recent Operation
• Skin Diseases
• Varicose Veins
• Cancer
• Pregnancy
• Cuts or Abrasions
• Thrombosis
• Heart conditions
• Hypertension
• Edema
• Angina
• Epilepsy
• Bell’s Palsy
• Sunburn
• Neuritis
• On prescription meds

By discussing any of the above conditions with your therapist, you will be guided on whether the massage is your best option, or they may change their techniques to cater to your health requirements. You can converse with your therapist and get the personal attention you need to get results. You can also ask what approach he or she will be taking so you know what to expect. The massage therapist has many different techniques to use to deal with your aching body along with your specific condition.

But make sure you tell the masseuse beforehand about your health problems or sensitivities so that he or she may remain focused on what areas require special attention.

*image from http://www.themedicalmassage.com

When a massage therapy is done correctly, any back pain is soothed and relieved. When a massage therapist has a good understanding of the human body, muscle pains, and how to work with them, the best results are produced. Although massage therapy must not be substituted for proper medical attention, a massage is what most people often opt to get when they suffer from back pain. Traditional massages like Lomi Lomi massage provides energy techniques and stretching of the body, with extensive work on the different parts of the body at the same time which leads to a therapeutic effect of the massage.

A study done by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami has shown that massage decreased back pain and depression while also improving sleep and range of motion for most joints.

A Lomi Lomi massage, like most other massages, improves circulation in the body. By this, it is meant that the lymph (a clear fluid that circulates around the body tissues) and the inflammation in the muscles or joints (caused by an immune response to injury or infection that causes pain, redness, heat and swelling in the affected area) which starts to accumulate in the body and puts pressure on blood vessels, leading to a decrease in circulation and limited blood flow, is removed after a massage. Massage therapy will make your blood flow better, which will reduce the pressure that is irritating the nerves and get rid of your pain.

This way, you can get rid of or at least reduce your back pain by taking help from Stone Gye!

* image from http://www.severe-back-pain-relief.com

A lomi lomi massage is soothing and relaxing. But in order for you to enjoy a good and comforting experience, read these tips to help you out:

• Be punctual. You must reach for your appointment on time or earlier (if possible) to be fully alert and relaxed from the very start of the session.

• Avoid eating beforehand. DO not eat before your massage session. You will feel bloated and uncomfortable if you have eaten or had a drink before your massage therapy.

• Stay at ease. If you are not comfortable with removing all your clothing, tell your therapist. Wear any items of clothing you are comfortable with and which allows the therapist to work on the areas of your body that need it.

• Discuss your health issues. Before your session begins, you must provide your therapist with your accurate health information. In addition, tell the therapist what you want from the massage. During the session, you must tell the therapist regarding the amount of pressure, speed of movement, or room temperature, etc.

• Maintain breathing throughout therapy. This is because breathing aids in relaxation. mostly, people stop breathing when they feel anxious or a sensitive area is massaged. You must remind yourself at such points that you need to breathe.

• Avoid tightening your muscles. Let go and feel free during the therapy so the maximum healing and soothing is obtained by the body. if your muscles are tightening, tell your therapist to work on those areas.

• Don’t let your mind wander. Focus on the hands of the masseuse and also on how the touch of the hands is feeling on your muscles.

• If any uncomfortable act is performed by the masseuse, you must speak up and ask the therapist to stop.

• After the massage, you might feel light-headed. Do not get immediately off the table. Lie on your stomach or back for a few more minutes and then get up.

• Following the session drink at least 2 glasses of water.

The profession of massage has been predominately made up for women, and almost every other masseuse in a spa is a female. Over 80% of massage therapists are female, according to The American Association of Massage Therapy. The limited numbers of male therapists available are usually overlooked by clients as most people are comfortable with female masseuses.

Men often avoid choosing massage as a career as it is intimidating for them. This is mainly because female massage therapists are more preferred to by clients, and male therapists feel discrimination when receptionists ask the caller first if they want a female or male massage therapist. Women opt for female therapists because they are uncomfortable with even heterosexual men. Men do not want to get a massage from a male therapist as they assume the male massage therapist must be gay.

But the reason one must opt for a male massage therapist is that men don’t seem to get caught up as much in some of the boundary issues that women do. Females want to chat about everything and they want to offer all of their suggestions for healing or eating right when one’s main purpose of the session is to relax and get a massage. Male therapists prefer talking less and sticking to their job.

With a male therapist, on can also learn that males can be nurturing which can be good for either sex- female or male. Also, as said in the previous blog, male massage therapists have strength to soothe the aching muscles of working men and women, and even athletes.

Stone Gye is a heterosexual male massage therapist, who has skill and expertise of relaxing his clients and soothing their aching backs at the same time. He working in a fully professional manner and ensures a sounding massage session for those seeking comfort from their hectic lives.

When you decide on getting a massage from your local spa, the first question you are faced with is whether you want a male or female massage therapist for your session. Normally, you will be asked upon your appointment by the receptionist if you have a preference for male or female massage therapists. There are more female massage therapists in almost every spa. Also, both men AND women tend to prefer women therapists. This is because:

a) Nudity in front of women feels more ‘safe’ than men,
b) Women think a male therapist may judge their body,
c) Men who are heterosexual find a woman’s touch pleasant and relax that way,
d) Most men think a male therapist might be gay, and women think the therapist isn’t gay, so they are worried the massage will be sexualized with male massage therapists.

But no matter what your decision is, every massage therapist is trained to respect boundaries and use proper draping techniques, so these issues shouldn’t be a problem! As male massage therapists are not very popular, anyone without any preferences will likely get booked with a male.

Mostly, the experienced clients prefer male massage therapists. Male massage therapists often have more strength, and softer hands. Their strength is helpful with deep tissue massages and work perfectly for working men and women. So feel free to contact Stone Gye to get your massage!