Hawaiian Lomilomi Massage and Bodywork is a culturally rooted practice, grounded in presence, rhythm, movement, breath, touch, connection and sacredness.
On this journey we learn to hold sacred spaces for ourselves and others.
These two 5-day courses give the foundation of Lomilomi Massage and Bodywork. We will learn the basic techniques and steps, principles and protocol of Lomilomi and start to develop the skills, understanding, and embodied awareness needed to perform a full-body massage on a personal or professional level.
No previous massage experience is required — open to beginners and bodyworkers alike.
What you will learn
Long flowing strokes, forearm and elbow work, the rhythmic wave of Lomilomi moving through the whole body.
How to hold space, open and close a session, and carry the spirit of Aloha into everything you do at the table.
The movement traditions and philosophical roots that make Lomilomi a living practice, not just a technique.
Each morning begins in the body before it begins at the table. Movement, breath and presence are trained together.
More information about the training curriculum on www.lomilomi-algarve.com/trainings
The volcanic valley of Furnas
The Laughing Orchard sits in a hidden valley on the island of São Miguel — the oldest and largest of the Azores, a place shaped over millennia by volcanic fire and Atlantic rain. The land here is not a backdrop. It participates.
Between sessions: hot springs rising naturally from the earth, black sand beaches, forests of tree ferns and hydrangeas, waterfalls. The island offers the kind of integration that no workshop room can provide.
See the practice
A short film of Júlia, our guest teacher. Lomilomi as a living art — presence, rhythm, and the intelligence of the hands.
Teacher & Host
Júlia Antos
TeacherJúlia Antos was born in Budapest and has been in love with Lomilomi and Hawaiian culture for as long as she can remember. Her path has wound through dance, psychology and somatic therapy: Modern Dance, Contact Improvisation, Yoga, Body-Mind Centering, and years of working as a psychologist and Integrated Expression and Dance therapist.
She has been a professional massage therapist since 2005, trained in Ma-uri massage in Denmark and New Zealand. In 2014 she received her certificate in Integrated Lomilomi Massage® from Witold Stanisław Kucharczyk (Centre for Polynesian Healing Arts, Budapest). In 2024 she was invited to teach the first two modules of his comprehensive Integrated Lomilomi® training programme. She offers sessions and trainings in the Algarve, Portugal.
I keep learning and changing every day, and I am excited about it. Aloha.
Karola Szőke
Host & organiserKarola is the heart of the Laughing Orchard — a somatic practitioner, movement teacher and one of the central keepers of the land. She carries both the technical knowledge of Integrated Lomilomi® and the embodied wisdom of a life lived in close relationship with the body.
Ever since I experienced giving lomilomi sessions in Furnas, I have wanted to open this space for more people to feel. The energies of fire and water are essential in lomilomi, and they are so clearly present and supportive here — it is a blessing to let them work together.
What participants say
This is more than just a Lomi Lomi workshop — it’s a holistic personal experience. It’s a journey of growth, connection with yourself and others, explored through Lomi Lomi massage techniques, Hawaiian culture, and a beautiful touch of hula dance.
Júlia guides you on a path of self-discovery, deeply connected to Hawaiian culture. You’ll learn Lomi Lomi massage in the best possible way, and you’ll truly remember it because of the hands-on practice throughout the workshop.
I 100% recommend Júlia’s Lomi Lomi workshops. Mahalo!
From the opening song — your voice so deep that it seems to touch both earth and sky — the whole course felt held and connected. The intimate class size was a gift I never expected.
You teach with your whole heart and with deep respect for the ancient Hawaiian culture. What I learned from you doubled my own heart and love. After the second course, I already feel ready to share a little of this wisdom myself.
What you teach is exactly what you live, and that authenticity can be felt throughout each day.
Tuition
All tiers include the same complete 10-day training. Pricing reflects where you are joining from and what accommodation makes sense for your situation. We are happy to discuss your circumstances — write to us before applying.
Includes tuition, accommodation in shared twin room, and two meals per day at the Laughing Orchard.
Optional island excursions (Aug 18–19) not included.
Includes tuition, accommodation in shared twin room, and two meals per day at the Laughing Orchard.
Optional island excursions (Aug 18–19) not included.
Full 10-day training without accommodation. Includes tuition and lunch each training day.
Travel to and from the Laughing Orchard is your own.
Maximum 12 participants. To apply or ask a question, write to Karola directly.
Self discovery and transformation in the volcanic energies of Furnas.
Write to Karola to apply