This afternoon I had a Ka Huna massage. A Ka Huna massage is designed to be the pinnacle of loving, healing touch and iss used as a method of personal development, healing and spiritual discipline. Ka Huna massage is often referred to as "temple style massage" which is all about honouring your body as a temple. I had 3 different types of massages last year when I was in Hawaii but have never had one here in Sydney. After having one and reading a little more about the philosophy, I can see why anyone who is drawn to spirituality would enjoy this type of massage. I'm going to explain the principles behind it because I was really drawn to them and I think many of you may be too.
There are Seven Principles of Huna, which forms the foundation of the philosophy at Sydney Ka Huna massage (which is where I went). To be effective these principles need to be embodied and not just intellectually understood. Integrating these principles is a way of life.
IKE (ee-kay)
The world is what you think it is
Be Aware
Our thoughts make us who and what we are. If you want to change your situation, all you have to do is change your thoughts. Your body and your life will follow. Alter the way you see reality and you WILL alter reality.
KALA (kah-lah)
There are no limits
Be Free
Following on from Ike - ensure that when you think, you think without limitation. Don't think about the things that you are "allowed' to have, or the things you believe are "just possible." The most successful people think without limitations. Be free in your thinking. Whatever the mind of a person can conceive and believe, it can achieve. So think BIG!
MAKIA (mah-kee-ah)
Energy flows where attention goes
Be Focused
Whatever holds your interest will also tend to attract your emotional and physical energy. The more successful a person is, the more you will find that they direct and hold their energy on something by conscious choice. They don't wait for something to catch their attention; they go out and catch something with their attention. A person at all times has a choice as to what they focus their attention on - so be focused on what you want at all times.
MANAWA (mah-nah-wah)
Now is the moment of power
Be Here
The past or future does not have any power because you can't touch it, taste it, smell it, feel it or react to it in any way. For all practical purposes it doesn't even exist. All we have right now is the memory of things, skills, pains, and experiences. Its the memories that we respond to now - not the past itself. The memories exist in the present moment and you can alter your relationship to them - change your thinking about them and thereby change their effect on your life.
As for the future, no one knows what is going to happen. We can make logical or intuitive guesses but we don;t really know. However, if we think of the future as a blank slate (rather than fixed or predestined) then we give ourselves permission to try anything.
ALOHA (ah-lo-hah)
To love is to be happy
(the joyful sharing of love energy in the present)
Be Happy
Aloha means many things, but in one word perhaps its best described as 'Love." Love is happiness. Aloha is caring for others as well as or as much as for your own self. It is with "Aloha spirit" that all things are done in Hawaiian culture. Do no harm to others and do not cause unhappiness to others.
MANA (mah-nah)
All power comes from within
Be Confident
Mana is power or energy. All power comes from within. Hawaiian belief is that Mana is the name for one source of all power that exists in the universe. This power is universal and flows through not only us, but through animals and plants, the foundation of the earth, the skies and planets and everything that we know exists. Its a life energy so to speak. This Mana flows through us and gives us the power to do what we believe we can do. The power to do anything that we decide to do and that we take action towards.
PONO (poh-noh)
Effectiveness is the measure of truth
Be Positive
Effectiveness is the measure of truth. A method, plan, certain actions, when put in motion may work. If they work, that is all you need to be concerned with. There are many ways to do thing. Don;t pigeon-hole yourself into thinking you can only accomplish something in one way or that there is only one truth. That there are always alternatives to what you're doing is the crux of "Pono" - do what feel right for you.
In a Ka Huna massage the practitioner uses hands and forearms in long fluid strokes of varying intensity and rhythm up and down and all around the body. The flow also incorporates stretches, under-body work, deep tissue techniques and sound vibration. The energising effects of these stimulating movements and creative techniques are combines with clear healing intent and invocations (through chant or prayer) for positive transformation on all levels. The radiant quality of Ka Huna touch communicates love, awareness, balance and compassion.
The use of forearms made it very similar to the massage I had when I was in India. I would really recommend it to anyone who likes a spiritual and healing element to their massage (Its not like a typical day spa or beauty massage). There really is a connection between yourself and the person giving the massage (Adriana gave me the biggest hug after my massage - it was lovely). And, in a surprise twist to the experience, when I first sat down one of the practitioners bent down and said "Hello beautiful Goddess, I know you and your beautiful sister here." And here was a girl named Sonia who my sister and I had gone to high school with and who we haven't seen since the day we left school at the end of 1995. So amazing the people who are brought back into your world when and where you least expect it. For me, it really was a fabulous way to spend a Friday afternoon......
