Lomilomi, or ‘to knead,’ is the ancient Hawaiian term for a type of holistic massage unique to these islands. As practiced today, lomilomi is a deep-tissue massage focusing on pain relief. It uses a flowing, rhythmic effleurage technique applied by the forearm, not the palm, because the forearm applies pressure more broadly. While different families in Hawaii practice the tradition differently, they share some common ideas: First, the belief that the healing does not come from the practitioner, who simply allows universal energy to flow through him. This is why a traditional lomilomi practitioner will always ask permission from his spiritual source before beginning the massage. Second, lomilomi is always applied with ha, or breath from the heart — with reverence. Third, the abdomen is very important in lomilomi. Ancient Hawaiians believed that illness originated in the abdomen, causing inadequate digestion. They began by massaging the abdominal organs, and then, having released pent-up energy there, moved on to the sore areas of the body. In ancient days, lomilomi involved spiritual as well as physical healing and was performed by a priest called a kahuna. The person receiving the treatment might have been asked to fast and drink only seawater for six days prior. The massage itself would have incorporated the use of herbs called lapa’au.