March - May 2013
West
Coast Lomilomi Classes
taught
by Barbara Helynn Heard, LMP
scroll down for
class information
February 28, 2013
Aloha,
Snow drops, crocuses and lenten roses are all blooming around my home, heralding the new beauty, new life and new hope. The miracle of the cycle of life continues to delight and amaze me.
THOUGHTS FROM MANA LOMI® FOUNDER, MAKA'ALA YATES, D.C.
Recently Maka'ala Yates, my mentor and guide, wrote responses to questions put to him by an eager, mature massage therapy student from Texas. Having facilitated the connection between these two special men, I was glad to benefit from their connection.
In his writing shared here, Maka'ala gives clarity and substance to many of my own thoughts, attitudes and experiences. Reading Maka'ala's words highlights for me once again why I treasure teaching with direct and active connection to the Mana Lomi® lineage. I love teaching as a member of the Mana Lomi® 'ohana (family.) I am honored indeed!!!!
Please enjoy reading Maka'ala's answers below. Do these ideas resonate with you? I'd love to hear your thoughts on these subjects.
Was massage therapy your first career choice? If so why? If not, what brought you to massage therapy?
Maka'ala: Mana Lomi, a specialized problem solving form of lomilomi (for now I'll interpret this as Hawaiian massage), was a part of life growing up in Kona, Hawaii. It was common in those days to have a skilled Lomi practitioner in almost every family, for sure in every village. It never occurred to me that this could be a career for me some day. In fact, I remember at the age of six whispering to my two younger sisters while working on one of my elders (kupuna) that "when I grow up I am never going to do this work!"
Little did I know that other Divine plans were laid out for me. Later in life I started helping more and more people in their every day common ailments. Then at the age of about 30, I began my formal training in Hawaiian medicine, which included lomilomi. At the age of about 40 I started teaching this work.
Have you ever felt burnt out? If so, how did you manage that?
Maka'ala:"Burnt out" is not a familiar feeling for me primarily because the ease and efficacy of Mana Lomi. When you are able to use your body weight and vector (directional biomechanics) efficiently with your intended outcome then you'll never get tired.
Also, when you are able to help people out of their physical malady, what a joy it is for both. When I am in a problem solving mode, my mind is inquiring further than the hands-on skills learnt. My creativity and curiosity is always stimulated without any attachment to the outcome. There is no end to learning for an inquisitive mind, therefore, no room to get bored! I work on each person as if I am the one that is on the table.
photo: Maka'ala works on Marcia, York, another Mana Lomi teacher
What do you like most and least about being a Massage Therapist?
Maka'ala:I will assume that the term "Massage Therapist" refers to a legal name given to a person that provides some form of hands-on treatment for another person and that there is a financial gain from that exchange. In this case what I like least is the legal system that is in place to approve and issue a license to practice. Without getting political on you, this "legal" system does not guarantee efficacy of treatment or being free from injury for the public.
The reason why I like the work that I do is because I was taught responsibility (kuleana) with the skills learnt not only to the people that I work on and myself as a practitioner, but to my teachers before me and their teachers before them. Every action, word, or thought is done as if all of my ancestors (my kuleana goes beyond teachers and includes elders and family members) are right next to me, watching and listening. As long as I am pono (practicing with integrity, harmony, sensitivity, trust, etc,) I am supported by my na Kupuna (ancestors, elders).
What advice would you give someone starting out in massage therapy?
Think of wanting to genuinely help others first and financial gains (reasons) last. Remember, learning really begins out in the field.
Finally, be more attentive to your hands on skills than to academics. No one is going to ask you what your grades were in massage school. If you are skilled with your hands, they will know it and are more willing to return to you when they need your help in the future.
Think of having a sustainable practice where everyone receives equally energetically.
Thank you all for working with us to keep massage vital and exciting as a healing art!
With humble aloha,
Barbara Helynn Heard
206 323-5871
click here to
email me
MANA LOMI®
CLASSES
taught by Barbara Helynn Heard, LMP
on the West Coast 2013
REGISTER
NOW
1) MANA LOMI® ‘ili ‘ili – hot stones
only 2 spots left - register now!!
~ LEARN A FULL BODY
MANA LOMI® massage using hot stones
~ DATE: Fri-Sun Mar 8-10, 2013, 8:30
am - 6:30 pm
~ 27 CEs
~ LOCATION: Standing Stone Healing
and Arts
Center, Seattle, WA
~ COST: $545
2) MANA LOMI® Treatment for
hands & feet
~ DATE: Sat Mar 30, 2013 8:30 am – 6
pm
~ 8 CEs
~ LOCATION: Standing Stone Healing
and Arts
Center, Seattle, WA
~ COST:
$175 3 weeks prior, $195 thereafter
3) MANA LOMI® Treatment for
shoulders
~ DATE: Sun Mar 31, 2013 8:30 am – 6
pm
~ 8 CEs
~ LOCATION: Standing Stone Healing
and Arts
Center, Seattle, WA
~ COST:
$175 3 weeks prior, $195 thereafter
4) MANA LOMI® Level 1: Clinical
Lomilomi
~ LEARN A FULL BODY
MANA LOMI® massage
~ DATE: Weds May 1, 8, 15, 2013, 8:30
am - 6:30 pm
~ 27 CEs
~ LOCATION: Seattle, WA
~ COST: $475 3 weeks prior, $525
thereafter
5) Anywhere/Anytime Massage
~ LEARN TO GIVE MANA LOMI® ON COMMON CHAIRS OR THE FLOOR
~ DATE: Fri May 17, 2013 9 am – 6 pm
~ 8 CEs
~ LOCATION: private home, Seattle, WA
~ COST: $175 3 weeks prior, $195
thereafter
REGISTER NOW
see additional
class dates
• REPEAT STUDENTS for Mana Lomi® level
1, level 2 and hot stones: $300 when paid 3 or more weeks in advance.
• Massage school students & 9 months post grad: discount
available. (Please contact me.)
• Mana Lomi® is approved by NCBTMB as a continuing education Approved
Provider,#287333-00.
• Partial scholarships sometimes available.
MANA LOMI®
TEACHER
BARBARA HELYNN HEARD, LMP
WA massage license # MA 00009734
I love teaching Mana Lomi®. In my teaching I emphasize body awareness,
use of one's weight, development of keen palpation skills and the use
of the creative power of the words. My intent as a teacher is to see
the Light in each person and to help each student to be and to do their
very best.
Lomilomi has been a primary focus of my life since 1996 when I
graduated from Brian Utting School of Massage and established my active
private practice in Seattle, WA. I've taught lomilomi since 2006.
ABOUT MANA
LOMI®
Mana Lomi® is a style of lomilomi developed by Native Hawaiian Maka'ala
Yates, D.C.- pictured here - drawing on his 16 year apprenticeship with
beloved and well known teacher Aunty Margaret Machado, and his other
teachers. This Big Island Style Lomi lineage is very therapeutic,
specific work which addresses and helps resolve injury.
WHAT IS MANA LOMI®?
Mana Lomi® is clinically focused yet spiritually grounded , Hawaiian massage which uses a problem solving approach to effectively treat injuries, relieve pain and help people move easily. Mana Lomi® is bone deep yet gentle and works very specifically with bones and the muscle attachments on the bones.
Mana Lomi® is approved by NCBTMB as provider #287333-00.
click
here to see a slideshow introducing Mana Lomi® concepts
Click here to see a video of basic Mana Lomi®
bodywork
Click here to see a video of advanced Mana
Lomi® bodywork
NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIPTION
If you know someone who might enjoy this newsletter, please forward it
to them.
Click here
if someone forwarded this newsletter to you and you'd like to subscribe
to receive future issues.
See below to unsubscribe.
for more information
see
www.lomilomi-massage.org