From the lineage of Morrnah N. Simeona, one of the great Hawaiian Healing Kahunas, is an opportunity to study with her first apprentice in this powerful method. Infused throughout this training is the precious spiritual teachings given to Tarika from Morrnah. It has been the pearl of her entire five decade career as well as the programs that are being offered through this Alaskan massage school.
Hawaiian Mat Massage™
This specialized yet easy to learn method has benefits for both the giver and receiver. It can be done on just about any body style, through the clothes, on the beach or on a mat.
- Aligns and stabilizes a person’s center of gravity helping the body to immediately feel freer in all movements. These techniques do what hands cannot – so easily!
- Learn focus, flow and rhythm techniques assuring integration of deeper work and effectiveness
- Stretching while giving with the use of breath also assures no fatigue for the giver
- Flow charts give specific points indicating both trigger points and energy meridians
- Learn body postures that best assist with angles for higher accuracy and wise use of pressure
- Graced strongly by the Hawaiian influence to include gentle integration and rocking
- Offering the Ha Breath of Aloha Meditation to energize, ground and clear
60 Hour Certificate in Three Levels
Hips Move You: Learn this valuable life skill! The material is designed for both beginners and professionals alike. Without maintaining balance in our hips our entire structure suffers. Enjoy this potent 3.5 hour class. Let it expand your abilities in how you dance, walk, run, do yoga, etc etc!
Level I Section One: HIPS MOVE YOU
Level I Section Two: A STRONG FOUNDATION – Lower Back, Hips & Legs
20 Hours
Level II: STABILIZE THE CORE & FOLLOW THROUGH – Torso, & Front of Body 20 Hours
Level III: REFINEMENTS -Tailoring & Side-Lying 20 Hours Level III Completion of 60 Hour Certificate
Hawaiian Mat Massage™ invites, enlivens, and awakens life-giving streams within the body. The basic Hawaiian tenet is that there is nothing to fix but rather with support and awareness, the body can self-organize and balance on every level.
Description: The practitioner of Hawaiian Mat Massage™ administers full or partial body weight through primarily their feet on mat on the floor. This method is through the clothes hence this session can be given in a multitude of environments and with many who may be too shy to receive bodywork otherwise. Learning how to be more sensitive through ‘soft feet’, with heightened coordination the practitioner can skillfully control even the smallest detail in using ones body weight giving a highly beneficial massage.
With the advantage of the use of gravity, it has an effortless quality while still profoundly deep, comfortable and safe. Through a large bank of techniques it offers support to the recipient’s body to find homeostasis quickly and naturally. The inclusion of both Eastern and Western details of specific trigger points and tsubos using the Kata Flow Charts further supports a broad base to draw from in giving this deeper form of bodywork. Trigger points efficiently addressing dysfunctional holding patterns of tension within the muscular system. It also balances the body’s Chi addressing the meridians and tsubos benefiting the body in a multitude of ways. Those who receive it agree that it often gives results that use of the hands can rarely achieve.
Unique roots of this method Guided by the Hawaiian approach to healing and wholeness this modality invites and honors mutual responsibility from a heart space. Deepened and refined by Tarika Lea through the adjacent modality called Kata Massage Series, the strength of this method is in the proof found in the founders hands, and her years of experience in both her private practice as well as decades of teaching. You too will appreciate her ability to transfer it to you quickly and easily.
Why Use of the Feet Can Be More Potent Than Hands
By use of the feet a very different relationship is formed with the body. The feet therefore can become amazingly potent, transforming tools freed of the habits of control of the hands. The recipient actually starts a new relationship to the giver of trusting their practitioner’s feet sometimes more than the hands! This brings a broader pleasure in letting go and often on a whole new level of experience. It is common to also hear from recipients that their ability to breathe more deeply has vastly improved.
Benefits to the practitioner There is a distinct advantage to being able to have more pressure when needed, that can easily be targeted where needed. The foot covers more area than the hand thus this fact alone contributes to faster results. Often it is a feeling that: ‘This can’t be this easy!’ Taking advantage of the body’s fluid nature using various rocking or vibration techniques the whole body surrenders, deeply relaxing. This ease also keeps the energy of a session on a wonderful wave of movement. Those proficient in feeling through their hands can easily transfer that ability to their feet. What a bonus!
OBJECTIVE TO CERTIFICATE TRAININGS Establish a confidence level in the participant grounding both knowledge and practical application of using the Kata Flow Chart points, important principles contributing to a therapeutic relationship, refinement of the use of their feet, good body mechanics and the safety and comfort of their recipient. The practitioner will be able to give a comfortable deep tissue massage bringing the greatest benefit to the recipient while caretaking their own well being and body.
The session can be given within an hour, or, a more complete session can be given in half hour increments. From the first class, students will be made aware of tailoring techniques adjusting to different body styles and muscular/skeletal conditions.
WHAT IS A KATA? Teaching, offering a Kata has been used for thousands of years. It is a way to deepen one’s ability to remember and apply all the details needed as one progresses in ability and understanding. A Kata, repeated over and over is the perfect approach for learning with results right from the beginning. Why? It has gone through the test of time! The Kata form of the Hawaiian Mat Massage™ is thorough. A balance naturally occurs within the body through addressing the body as a whole using enough key points to turn the tide of tensions. The Kata is an easy infrastructure to learn. The addition of the advanced techniques that specifically addresses more complex pain patterns or discomfort within the body can be easily added on with the expansion of the participant’s skill levels once the foundation of learning the Kata is established.
KATA REVITALIZING FLOW CHARTS Using the trigger points and meridian tsubos of the Kata Flow Charts provides access to the body’s key release points. Each of The Lea Method Katas use the Kata Revitalizing Flow Charts to assure results of the use of hands or feet. Learning both the Kata as well as these points assures success as it opens the major healing streams of life force or Chi within the body.
CONTRAINDICATIONS It is important not to underestimate the art of information gathering prior to a session. Many additional contraindications relative to this style of massage will be taught assuring the safety of the recipient. Sanitary conditions and self-care will further assure an appropriate relationship and ability to hold space for another’s healing.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Both good interviewing and communication skills holds a high value throughout one’s interaction with the recipient. Inclusion of NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) has refined these skill s into a science and can bring a depth to the practitioner’s interaction that can be a primary contribution to the positive outcome this modality offers.
BODY MECHANICS Body mechanics is placed as a constant in terms of assuring longevity for the practitioner of this style of bodywork, thus a great deal of focus is given to this aspect. Because this method requires use of the feet instead of hands as well as a whole-body involvement in giving pressure, it requires an entire new bank of considerations and skills.
Students must find their own zone of how much pressure to apply to feel comfortable with the power of what this method can offer. For instance, the practitioner learns new coordination skills with a deepening of their ability to focus and respond to structural changes while working. A student of this modality will develop a strong sense of their center of gravity. In addition,one learns the importance of aligning ones center of gravity in relationship to all moves and how the use of the breath interweaves bringing the best outcome.
EXPANDING SKILLS The discipline of developing ones sensitivity through the use of specific areas of ones feet with an appropriate controlled amount of pressure will be greatly furthered. Using the concepts of rhythm and flow in giving deeper pressure becomes a graceful dance and pleasure.
USE OF BREATH WITH MOVEMENT Use of the ‘Ha’ breath is an integral part of assuring ones longevity as a practitioner in this method. It also is a delicate science, educating the recipient how to better let go of tensions through their breath. This often happens without even coaching the recipient through a deeper commitment of the practitioner to also use their own breath more efficiently throughout the session. Conscious use of one’s breath increases the practitioner’s energy levels , sensitivity and ability to process another’s tensions. with empathy free of emotional enmeshment.
SPILL OVER SKILLS Flow and rhythm plays a very large part in this modality prompting both the practitioner and the recipient to use the body’s fluid nature to organize the deepest structures with far less resistance to change. Graceful sensitivity of response increasers the momentum of experiencing heightened awareness of how to bring about homeostasis and a deep meditative relaxation.
This and more becomes a spillover skill bank in the participant’s life, personally and professionally.
- Holding sincere intention for the highest possibility for the recipient
- Use of breath techniques that access untold strength and abilities while giving,
- Heightened awareness through efficient body mechanics,
- Development of skills in inviting the participant to expand awareness (and responsibility),
- Discipline of focus,
- A relaxed rhythm and flow
MEDITATION BREATH TECHNIQUE SETS THE PACE The Ha Breath of Aloha Meditation is the initial preparation to ground one’s focus further assuring dedication in serving another’s body with a heightened awareness. This meditation is used prior to every massage.
HAWAIIAN INFLUENCE The rich Hawaiian cultural and spiritual aspects brings an understanding of the connections of one’s body, mind, and emotions to well being. It includes many Huna Healing practices as related to bodywork. Participants will be inspired to further develop an attitude of the sacredness of touch and the responsibilities this entails through the eyes of seeing further and responding more responsibly. A therapeutic relationship of non-interference and ethics of ‘leading’ is core in all Kata Massage Series grounded through role-playing, assignments and discussions.
OUTCOME BENEFITS TO CELEBRATE:
- Transferring skills one has perhaps developed in ones hands to their feet, also, surprisingly loops back to support a deepening of skills in ones hands.
- The understanding of how one breathes as it relates to how one relaxes with the recipient, to abilities in increasing sensitivity and focus all intensifies a moment to moment spontaneity.
- Engaging in the science of the body-mind connection as well as the physical, electrical and fluid nature of the body in bringing it to balance.
- As one increases ones presence due to the need to be more involved one also can increase their pleasure in both giving and receiving such an inviting totality of bodywork.
- With the ‘Soft Feet of Aloha’, and the concept of ‘oneness’ breathing methods anyone wishing to learn this modality will soar in multitude of ways.
- The fun of dancing with the body through offering one’s loving, sensitive and responsive feet brings endless pleasure through freeing another from their tensions easily and efficiently.
- Learning this method of massage grows one’s excitement for the joy of having chosen such an rewarding activity that unfolds continual surprises and discoveries of self and other. It dissolves perceived boundaries and limitations to the flow, the focus and the rhythm of life itself.
Hawaiian Mat Massage™ offers a shift of consciousness that gives a refreshing vision and invitation to a ‘more’ that opens one’s heart and celebrates the depth of our oneness with all of creation
Hawaiian Mat Massage™
- This technique invites, enlivens, and awakens life giving streams within the body.
- The basic Hawaiian tenet is that there is nothing to fix but rather with support and awareness, the body can self-organize and balance on every level.
Description: With the advantage of the floor, rocking the whole body as part of an integrating process offers a surprising ease of release. Using feet instead of hands as one sinks into key trigger points quickly and comfortably addresses muscular, joint and postural imbalances with far less stress on the giver’s hands. Use of the specially designed Balance Bar further assures accuracy of technique but is not required. Many appreciate this method which is done through the clothes hence this session can be given in a multitude of environments and on people who otherwise may not consider receiving a table massage. Just about everyone can learn and receive (with certain health restraints), no matter one’s body size or age.
Learning how to be more sensitive through ‘soft feet’, with heightened coordination the giver can skillfully control even the smallest detail in using one’s body weight giving a highly beneficial massage often in far less time. The added advantage of the use of the whole body with gravity, gives this method an effortless quality while still profoundly deep, comfortable and safe.
Hawaiian Mat Massage™ offers a large bank of techniques supporting the recipient’s body in finding homeostasis quickly and naturally. The inclusion of both Eastern and Western influences lends both the details of specific trigger points and tsubos using the Kata Flow Charts establishing a broad base to draw from in giving this deeper form of bodywork. Trigger points efficiently address dysfunctional holding patterns of tension within the muscular system. Balancing the body’s Chi, addresses the electrical flows of one’s body through meridians and tsubos benefits the body in a multitude of ways merely the physical approach misses. Those who receive Hawaiian Mat Massage™ agree that this method often gives results that use of the hands alone can rarely achieve.
Hawaiian Roots of This Method
Many forms of Lomi Lomi were commonly practiced in ancient Hawaii and other Polynesian cultures. As an integral part of the culture it was considered a great skill passed down through nearly every family bloodline. This Lomi Lomi method was inspired by Morrnah Simeona, Kahuna Lapaau. Tarika was her first apprentice in the late sixties and had the privilege to be with Morrnah for three years prior to Morrnah traveling across the U.S. and Europe, bringing the technique of Self Identity Ho’oponopono into the world. This style of Lomi Lomi is not a well known method of massage therapy. Infused with the Hawaiian body/mind wisdoms to healing and wholeness, this modality provides an environment that honors mutual responsibility.
Hawaiian Mat Massage™ is supported by an adjacent bank of techniques called Kata Massage Series™ refined by Tarika Lea. You too will appreciate her ability to transfer this method to you quickly and easily through learning the Kata within Hawaiian Mat Massage™.
Why Use of the Feet Can Be More Potent Than Hands
Benefits to the recipient: By use of the feet a very different relationship is formed with the recipient’s body. The feet become amazingly potent, transforming tools freed of the habits of control our hands have developed. The recipient actually grows a deeper trust of the giver as they receive accurate pressure that benefits them so deeply. For many this method invites a broader pleasure in letting go – a whole new level of experience. It is common to hear recipients express how much greater their range of motion increases, that old injury sites no longer hurt and that their ability to breathe more deeply has vastly improved.
Benefits to the practitioner: There is a distinct advantage in being able to have more pressure when needed, that can easily be targeted where needed. The foot covers more area than the hand thus this fact alone contributes to faster results and a less effort otherwise exerted through one’s hands. Often it is a feeling that: ‘This can’t be this easy!’ Taking advantage of the body’s fluid nature using various rocking or vibration techniques, the whole body surrenders, deeply relaxing. This ease also keeps the energy of a session on a wonderful wave of movement. Those proficient in feeling through their hands can easily transfer that ability to their feet. What a bonus!
Objective to Certificate trainings:
- Practical application of using the Kata Flow Chart points
- Important principles contributing to a therapeutic relationship
- Refinement of the sensitivity needed in the use of one’s feet
- Proper body mechanics and self care
- ‘Strong & Long’ Techniques to benefit the giver
- Ways to assure the safety and comfort of the recipient
- Give a deep tissue massage to the level of comfort for the recipient
- Basic tailoring techniques adjusting to different body styles and muscular/skeletal conditions
- Awareness skills of care-taking one’s own well being and body
- Gain a confidence through grounding knowledge of techniques, contraindications and anatomy
The session learned within this training can be given within an hour, or a more complete session can be given in half hour increments. With the addition of each twenty hour course more skill levels and ways to address different body styles and conditions will be expanded.
Join us in learning Hawaiian Mat Massage™
(907)978-7161
alohatarika@gmail.com
Tarika Lea
Education Director, Master NLP life coach and founder of The Lea Method Tarika has developed a method of massage that has served her and hundreds of her students and graduates for over forty years. They have been perfected to be easily transferred through her weekend and professional trainings at The School of Integrating Shiatsu Alaska. Teaching and inspiring others into the sacredness of touch and facilitating others has been one of her greatest passions
