Blog Moana Academy, Huna, Ho'oponopono, Lomi Lomi

Flow

2009-06-15T01:21:00.000-07:00

Song written by my beloved "in the early 2000s, dedicated to the space with all its widths in it and these little tiny spots called stars and galaxies..."

Ho'oponopono in Prague

2009-03-22T07:58:00.000-07:00

Just confirmed: Ho'oponopono will happen in Prague in June 2009. Exact days will be given soon. Kahuna of the Na Pua line of Kahuna's will arrive to Czech Republic to share Hawaiian meditations and preparing us for the final circle with Ho'oponopono. What is it?

Ho'oponopono means "setting to right, put into order, to forgive, to relese toxic bundles". It is a Hawaiian traditional system for restoring harmony within a person and his/her ohana (extended family). Before we make a full-day-healing circle with Ho'oponopono, we will go through different Hawaiian meditations used for a different purpose. We will enjoy also a sweat-lodge, depends on the place. Workshop will be in English with translation into Czech.

For registration please send me an email to info@aloha-oe.com. Mahalo nui loa / Thank you.

Happy, inspiring and challenging 2009

2009-02-12T05:03:00.000-08:00

Short notice only - seems like many great Hawaiian Kumu's (Teachers) are coming this year to the Czech Republic to share their wisdom. Info will be coming continuously after all dates are fixed and confirmed.

Bohemian Forest

2009-01-08T18:38:00.000-08:00

Doesn't seem like Hawaii, does it? Neither it is the white Mauna kea, the tallest mountain on Hawaiian Islands, covered with snow throughout whole year. These are hills in Bohemian Forest, Šumava or Böhmerwald in the south of Czech Republic. Such places can also provide pretty relaxing atmosphere and bring you valuable insights.

I came here to start a new year on good, solid and healthy base and to set up plans and whishes for 2009. Also to check, if all goes as I really want (so-so), to see, where actually it really goes (wrong question :)), what I really want (yes ;)) and to answer few other fundamental questions. I didn't take camera here, as usual, so I used my mobile phone to make few snapshots, as such surroundings was just irresistable.

Lomi Pa'akai

2008-11-12T14:05:00.000-08:00

After reading and perceiving "Aloha spirit" from a fabulous book Hawaiian Massage Lomilomi: Sacred Touch of Aloha, I have been thinking about including Lomi Pa'akai into my Lomi practice. I was not sure, how far this "technique" belongs to Hawaiian Lomi treatment history, so I asked about it maybe the most competent lady in that subject, Makana Risser Chai, author of that book, and recipient of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority "Keep It Hawai'i" 2008 Award for authentic portrayal of Hawaiian cultural traditions.

I have received her fabulous comment:
"... I don't think that pa'akai was used much. Maybe only for ali'i but maybe not even for them. The reason is that salt is so valuable for preserving food, and it is so hard to make. They don't make it by just letting water evaporate in the sun. It is a long, hard job. So I would be surprised if they wasted it in that way. When I was at Auntie Margaret's, we used sand to exfoliate our skin. We didn't use it as part of the lomi, but after the lomi we would sit on the beach and take wet sand and rub it all over, then swim in the ocean, then get in the steam room. That was wonderful!
I never found anything about salt scrubs in all my research in the Bishop Museum. That's why I think it is new. ....
The way in which salt was used, as you can see in the Na Mo'olelo book, is as a poultice. Salt water is used to soak in, and for gargle, and drunk in order to cleanse the bowels. Salt is also used for blessings. That is all I know. ..."

Thank you Makana once again.

Anyway :) I have used a mixture from sea salt and red clay for several clients and their feedback was very positive. I applied it just locally, on belly and legs. Using salt during Lomi Lomi session was also a sort of cleansing for me, so most probably I will integrate it into the Lomi session just as a local cleansing support.

No Freedom, No Love ...

2008-11-11T08:57:00.000-08:00

Last days these two words - freedom & love - are mixing together in my reality. Whenever I feel inner freedom, the more I feel love. Whenever I feel love, the more I feel being free. Anything seems to be possible.

I heard, that "loving is approaching God, longing to become One. That part we are searching for can be found within ourselves". Aren't we lucky beings?

When loving, my heart is in a constant flow. Or when my heart is in a constant flow, then love comes. When the flow stops, then comes that real "falling in love" - falling down, love decrease & freedom deficit. Btw. how can someone "fall" in love? When loving, then growing, waking up, spreading, embracing. Falling comes when love is missing, so far my experience - or maybe another Love theory :)

To love is to be happy with ...

2008-10-15T15:55:00.000-07:00

... yourself, first :)

Hawaiian proverb and 5th Huna principle says so and I like it. He 'olina leo ka ke aloha - Joy is in the voice of love. Loving yourself in any situation - whenever shining and in happiness, so in sadness or aloness, whenever in joy and laughter, so in tears or pain, whenever devoted, whenever egocentric, whenever..... what a job!

To love (anybody & yourself) is also an art of forgiving and letting go. Letting go all unnecessary burdens, that prevents that Good Feeling of experiencing love. Releasing anything that prevents the flow. Flow of the river of life. Remaining pure and empty, to see yourself and others, to hear yourself and others, to be yourself and accept the other beings.

Loving yourself creates a space for inviting and loving the others. Giving to yourself enables to share with others. Nourishing yourself enables to support the others. What a Good Feeling.

Heart-based weekend with Madame Butterfly , part 2

2008-09-30T10:15:00.000-07:00

Among first words said by Raylene Ha'alelea Kawaiae'a on our Hula training was, that Hula is also about discovering relationships within yourself and between you and others. It shows you, who you are, and what point you are at in the present moment.

Song, which we were introduced to be understood, experienced and expressed, was Lei Ho'oheno, My cherished friend. This song was written by Kainani Kahaunaele for her loving husband, who was for her at the same time best and cherished friend. This was her way, how she expressed love to him. And I was so greateful for that song, chosen for us to learn.

"Lei Ho'oheno" was a good example of Raylene's words above. It became sort of "ka wai a ka pililiko", a rock basin filled with water used by ancient Hawaiians as a mirror.

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"A'a ka hula, waiho ka hilahila ma ka hale" - Dance hula, leave the shyness at home

Hula only for women?

2008-09-29T10:59:00.000-07:00

Do you think Hula dance is not for men? Not at all. Raylen and Hope (Kumu Hula from Big Island, Hawaii) showed us an impressive example during our Hula training in Prague, how men can present and interpret meaning of Hawaiian legends and stories in Hula dances.

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This song might be presented by men and women in the same way.

Heart-based weekend with Madame Butterfly , part 1

2008-09-28T12:42:00.000-07:00

Last weekend (seems like hundreds years ago already) Hula event with Raylene Ha'alelea Kawaiae'a (Ha'alelea means butterfly) and Hope Ilima Keawe happened in Prague. Yes, I am (again) thinking about moving to Hawaii. Not only me, many girls were deeply touched by the presence of Raylene, who's uncommon simplicity and warm-heart-being-ness created a space for beatiful connections with our-selves and with Raylene and Hope.

Hope Ilima Keawe, Kateřina, Raylene Ha'alelea Kawaiae'a

What we did?
We chanted, danced, shared and cried. Hawaiian chants are simple, yet powerful - please hear bellow.

The first chant "Oli Aloha" goes like this:

Akahai e na Hawai'i
(Be gentle Hawai'i)

Lokahi a ku like
(Stand in Unity)

'Olu'olu ka mana'o
(Let thy thoughts be kind)

Ha'aha'a kou kulana
(Let thy attitude be humble)

'Ahonui a lanakila
(Endure and be victorious)

Aloha e

Hawaiian way of singing/chanting is different from the way we use to sing in Europe (and other continents). Voice should be anchored down in the back part of the neck and vibrations are allowed to come out from the chest or belly together with the sound. When doing so, mouth doesn't need to be open so much, sound goes through very small cavity bettween lips. Song is being repeated 3 times, each time halftone higher. Melody is also unusual. When we tried to repeat individual verses, it sounded more or less as a weeping prayer in a Catholic church. After practicing several times we got some closer to the "original sounding" and closer to experiencing the meaning of its words: gentleness, unity, kindness, humbleness, endurance and Aloha.

While chanting, Raylene became the chant. In total humbleness and devotion she melted with that chant into one. So much to learn. Mahalo.

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More to come.

Pahu, The Drum

2008-09-03T14:50:00.000-07:00

One Hawaiian proverb says, that "hula is pleasing because of the drummer". Drums are great inspirors. They pin you firmly to the ground, allow your feet to sink under the ground, so that rest of the body can safely follow rising energy and spirit touches the heights. Druming becomes your heartbeat, you melt with that beat and become one. One pulsing, one rhytm, one flow.

I like very much the Kumulipo story, Hawaiian creation chant, which says, that during the eighth period of creation, right after the birth of the first man and woman, the drums were born. In fact, all has it's own rhytm, our bodies, nature, whole universe, so this might be true :)

It is said, that hula dance and drum was brought to Hawaii by La'a mai Kahiki - La'a from Tahiti, who arrived to Oahu with his kahuna, an astronomer, a seer, a diviner and - a drummer. One man called Haikamalama heard the sounding and started to repeat the drummer's chant by beating his breast to get the rhytm. After La'a's arrival he pretended that the drum was well known on Oahu island. This allowed him to get close enough to have a proper look at the drum to make such one for himself.

On Hawaii, some drums were considered to be sacred and stored in a special houses for drums. Drums were believed to contain mana - power. They were given names as believed to have a voice...

Hula in Prague

2008-09-01T14:17:00.000-07:00

Kumu Hula and Haku Ho'oponopono, Raylene Ha'alelea Kawaiae'a and Hope Ilima Keawe from Big Island, Hawaii, are coming to Europe. Just to understand this information, kumu Hula means - teacher of Hawaiian traditional dance, haku Ho'oponopono means a master of Ho'oponopono - traditional system for restoring harmony and relationships between family, extended family, nature and Akua (God). Kupuna means "elder" on Hawaii.

Raylene Ha'alelea Kawaiae'a, well recognized and honored Hula teacher will share her deep appreciations and personal understanding of the spiritual practices and traditions of her Hawaiian heritage.

About Hula Hula is love. Dancing Hula is a dance of an open heart. Feet are deeply rooted in the ground, hips are freely moving and allowing the energy penetrate each cell of our body. Hula tells stories about the Islands, about their beauty, about Hawaiian legends, myths, gods and goddesses. Hula is joy and love expressed in a dance.

Hula trainings will be held in Prague (Czech Republic) 19th-21st September, in Hungary (around 17th Sept) and also in Poland (Wrocław, Szczecin, Warszawa).

To be continued after the training .....

Moeuhane

2008-08-06T15:47:00.000-07:00

Listen to the Hawaiian chant "Moeuhane" chanted by Pila of Hawaii, author of a wonderful book "The Secrets and Mysteries of Hawaii".

Pila introduces this chant as "Your initiation into the "meaningful Dreamtime" of your deeper thinking."

Aloha Oe, a bit about the song

2008-08-04T16:23:00.000-07:00

Facts and my personal facts :)

Song "Aloha Oe" is deeply connected with Susan Pa'iniu Floyd, my teacher of Hawaiian "Healing Art" Lomi Lomi Nui. My first course with Susan happened in 2004 and I remember that deep silence when she sang this song at the end of the last day. Last verses were "A ho'i a'e au ... until we meet again". I knew we will meet again. And we did, and still we do.

Sounding Aloha Oe it's just charming. I don't know, who "invented" such a harmonious word "Aloha" and word connection "Aloha Oe". Just saying it aloud brings a harmony and relief (for me). When I hear Aloha Oe, it's like whole Existence would wisper about Love. Or as if ocean wave has just reached the shore. Or as if mild breeze would calm restless mind... so needed.

Some "facts" about the origin of this song (well, who knows, how it really was): According to Wikipedia, the online encyclopedy, Aloha 'Oe is a song written by the last queen of Hawai'i, Lili'uokalani (1838-1917). She wrote both the lyrics and the music of the song after the Hawaiian islands were officially annexed by the United States of America in 1898. Now the piece is often sung to bid farewell to departing loved ones.

It is said, that the origin for the melody of Aloha Oe is a Croatian song from region of Srijem called Sidi Mara na kamen studencu. And, Sidi Mara na kamen studencu has an Austro-German version called Die Träne, and also the English version The Tear.

It is also said, that Hawaiian music is the creation of a German bandmaister captain Henry Berger (1844-1929), who was invited to Hawaii by the king Kamehameha V in 1872. Berger composed the first Hawaiian songs, which were adapted from German folk tunes. Berger composed 72 Hawaiian songs, including Aloha Oe and the Hawaiian national song. The "German tune" adapted to Hawaiian Aloha Oe was in fact Croatian song "Sidi Mara...", which Berger obviously knew as "Die Träne."

Uff.

Anyway. Lyrics in Hawaiian language goes like this:

Ha'aheo ka ua i nâ pali
Ke nihi a'ela i ka nahele
E hahai (uhai) ana paha i ka liko
Pua 'âhihi lehua o uka

Hui:
Aloha 'oe, aloha 'oe
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
One fond embrace,
A ho'i a'e au
Until we meet again

'O ka hali'a aloha i hiki mai
Ke hone a'e nei i
Ku'u manawa
'O 'oe nô ka'u ipo aloha
A loko e hana nei

Maopopo ku'u 'ike i ka nani
Nâ pua rose o Maunawili
I laila hia'a nâ manu
Miki`ala i ka nani o ka lipo

And translated to English:

Proudly swept the rain by the cliffs
As it glided through the trees
Still following ever the bud
The 'ahihi lehua of the vale

Chorus:
Farewell to thee, farewell to thee
The charming one who dwells in the shaded bowers
One fond embrace,
'Ere I depart
Until we meet again

Sweet memories come back to me
Bringing fresh remembrances
Of the past
Dearest one, yes, you are mine own
From you, true love shall never depart

I have seen and watched your loveliness
The sweet rose of Maunawili
And 'tis there the birds of love dwell
And sip the honey from your lips

And here you can listen Susan singing Aloha Oe in Hawaiian/English.

What is this Aloha blog about and what is it for?

2008-08-01T15:02:00.000-07:00

Originally I inteded to share my experience about Lomi Lomi, known today as Hawaiian massage. But as I am still under my latest sunny-joyful-loving influence, I will most probably give also other inputs. Simply, Aloha, Love and Lomi will be basic issues I want to share.

Blog is/will be about Aloha - the Greatest Gift, Aloha & Mana, Love, Joy, Lomi Lomi, Hawaiian massage-technique, Relations, Feeling Good, Ho'oponopono, Hula - Hawaiian traditional dance, Body & Mind, Lono, Uhane, Unihipili, as far as I live and understand them hereandnow. It also might be about Music, about the Earth, Islands, Moana, the Ocean, and who knows, what kind of connection might appear during a day or after Lomi session.

And what is it for?
For Good Feeling and Pleasure - for movements in our hearts.
Aloha.

First of the Firsts

2008-08-01T10:41:00.000-07:00

Now is the time. First of August. The Sun is having it's eclipse together with a New Moon today, new month has just started and - in spite of all astrological darknesses, there is still a lots of Sun and light here in the heart of Europe. In Prague, well, right in front of my computer.

Last couple of tremendously vivid, joyful and exciting months brought beautiful moments full of intensity and Love, which passed through my daily "standards" as a huge ocean wave. Quite a power, which provoked me to share. Let's see, how I will deal with it and what other waves might bring. As one Hawaiian proverb says: Hau'oli ke aloha, he kilohana e pa'a ai. Love is a joyful thing, the best of all to hold onto. What an inspiration, what a great feeling. Mahalo nui loa. Thank you very much.