HAWAIIAN RITUALS & YOGA : MANA, HO'OPONOPONO, HULA, OLI, MELE, LOMI LOMI
Hawaii is a land steeped in ancient traditions , where every element of nature is sacred and carries life-giving energy. Hawaiian rituals, deeply rooted in the philosophy of Aloha—which means love, respect, and connection —offer powerful practices to align body, mind, and spirit. Combined with yoga, these rituals allow access to a deeper dimension of self, promoting inner healing and harmony with the world.
Written by TINA - March 2025
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About 10 minutes
WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO DISCOVER
- 🌿 Mana: Hawaiian life energy and its connection to breath and meditation
- 🔥 Ho'oponopono: The power of forgiveness to purify the mind and soothe the heart
- 🌊 Sacred songs and dances (Hula, Oli, Mele) as tools for spiritual connection
- 🌞 Natural elements and their role in grounding and energy balance
- 🌀 Lomi Lomi : Sacred Massage as a Healing Practice
- 🏝️ How to incorporate these rituals into your daily yoga practice
"Let's take a look"!
MANA: HAWAIIAN LIFE ENERGY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH BREATH AND MEDITATION
In Hawaiian tradition, Mana is much more than a concept: it is an omnipresent force, a vital energy that animates every being, every natural element, every breath. Comparable to Prana in yoga or Chi in Chinese tradition, Mana is perceived as the very essence of life, an invisible power that circulates through us and our environment.
Mana, a sacred and universal energy
Hawaiians believe that Mana is present in everything and everyone. It can be cultivated and strengthened, but it can also be dissipated by harmful thoughts or actions. Certain natural places, such as volcanoes, oceans, or sacred forests, are considered inexhaustible sources of Mana, as are certain people who cultivate a state of profound balance.
This energy is also linked to intention and respect for life. According to this philosophy, a person in harmony with themselves and their environment radiates a powerful Mana, which inspires and heals those around them.
Mana and Breath: A Gateway to Vitality
In the Hawaiian language, the word "Ha" means breath, a central element in the transmission and maintenance of Mana. This vision resonates strongly with yoga, where conscious breathing, or Pranayama , is used to activate life energy.
Some Hawaiian practices encourage slow, deep breathing , particularly:
Ha Breath : A deep, prolonged breath that allows you to fully absorb the Mana of nature. Inhale slowly through your nose, hold for a moment, then exhale with a long, liberating haaa .
Pule Mana : A Hawaiian meditation where you inhale while visualizing light entering the body and exhale sending this energy to an intention or person.
Hawaiian Meditation and Grounding in Mana
To cultivate your mana, it is essential to align yourself with the forces of nature and adopt a posture of openness and gratitude. A simple practice is to meditate facing the ocean, feeling the energy of the waves, or under an ancient tree, anchoring yourself deeply into the earth.
In yoga, pranayama and mindful meditation are powerful tools for channeling this energy. Combining the principles of mana with yogic practices can strengthen vitality, balance, and intuition.
Integrating this wisdom into one's practice means cultivating a fluid, nourishing and harmonious energy, within oneself and around oneself.
HO'OPONOPONO: THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS TO PURIFY THE MIND AND SOOTHE THE HEART
At the heart of Hawaiian philosophy, Ho'oponopono is much more than a simple practice of forgiveness: it is a sacred ritual of reconciliation, purification, and harmonization of relationships, whether with oneself, with others, or with the universe. This method is based on a fundamental principle: all external disharmony has its source within us , and it is up to us to transform it by restoring inner balance.
The Origins of Ho'oponopono: A Tradition of Reconciliation
In ancient Hawaiian culture, Ho'oponopono was practiced communally under the guidance of a Kahuna (priest or healer). When conflict or disharmony arose within a family or group, a ritual was performed to release tension and restore harmony. It was a process in which each individual took responsibility for their part in the imbalance and sought to free themselves from resentment and the burden of the past.
Over time, this practice was simplified and adapted for more personal use, notably thanks to the teachings of Morrnah Nalamaku Simeona , a Hawaiian healer who popularized Ho'oponopono throughout the world.
The 4 mantras of Ho'oponopono: an inner alchemy
At the heart of this practice is a purification ritual based on four simple and powerful phrases :
I'm sorry : Acknowledging your part of responsibility in the situation and accepting the negative emotions that emerge.
Forgive me : Ask forgiveness from yourself and the universe for having contributed, consciously or not, to the imbalance.
Thank You : Expressing gratitude for the opportunity to free oneself and bring harmony.
I love you : Sending an energy of love and kindness, the key to transformation and healing.
This process helps clear negative memories and emotional blockages that limit our well-being and relationships. It is based on the idea that forgiveness is not an act directed towards the other, but a gift that we give to ourselves , releasing unnecessary emotional burdens.
Ho'oponopono and Yoga: A Synergy for Inner Balance
In yogic philosophy, the idea of inner purification and release of attachments resonates deeply with Ho'oponopono . This practice can be integrated into yoga and meditation in several ways:
Meditative practice : Recite Ho'oponopono mantras mindfully, focusing on the breath and visualizing negative energy dissolving.
Heart-opening poses : Certain asanas such as Anahatasana (melting heart pose) or Ustrasana (camel pose) allow you to fully welcome this emotional release and open a space of forgiveness and gratitude.
Pranayama for Purification : Kapalabhati breathing or alternate nostril breathing (Nadi Shodhana) can help cleanse negative thoughts and promote a state of inner clarity.
Ho'oponopono: A Path to Inner Peace
Practicing Ho'oponopono regularly, whether through the repetition of mantras, meditation, or integrating these principles into daily life, helps soothe inner and outer conflicts. It's a powerful reminder that we all have the power to harmonize our world by first healing within ourselves what we perceive as imbalance externally.
By cultivating this practice in addition to yoga, we develop an inner posture of compassion, acceptance and peace, which transforms not only our own reality, but also that of others.
SACRED SONGS AND DANCES (HULA, OLI, MELE): TOOLS FOR SPIRITUAL CONNECTION
In Hawaiian tradition, music and dance are not simply artistic expressions, but sacred practices connecting humans to nature and the deities. Every gesture, every note, every vibration carries a spiritual intention and unifies the body, soul, and the universe.
Hula: A Spiritual Dance
Hula is a ritual dance that tells stories through precise movements. There are two main forms:
Hula Kahiko : ancient and ritual, accompanied by percussion and sacred chants.
Hula 'Auana : modern, influenced by Western music, more fluid and melodious.
Each gesture embodies a natural element or an emotion, creating a true meditation in movement.
Oli: the sacred vibrational song
Oli are chants recited a cappella, used to open a sacred space, invoke ancestors or mark a life passage . Their vibration allows a deep connection between the human voice and the divine, like mantras in yoga.
Mele: The Memory of the Hawaiian People
Mele are narrative songs that perpetuate ancestral history and wisdom. They take different forms:
Mele inoa : dedicated to deities or loved ones.
Mele pule : prayers sung for blessing.
Mele ho'oipoipo : songs of love and union.
These songs, passed down from generation to generation, are a vibrational offering connecting past and present.
A link between Hawaiian tradition and yoga
Integrating these songs and dances into a spiritual practice strengthens the connection to breath, vibration, and intuition . Like yoga, they promote grounding, fluidity, and harmonization of energy.
By practicing these rituals, we celebrate the unity between man and nature , cultivating a deeper relationship with ourselves and the world.
NATURAL ELEMENTS AND THEIR ROLE IN GROUNDING AND ENERGY BALANCE
In Hawaiian philosophy, nature is a source of wisdom and life energy . Each element—earth, water, air, and fire—influences our physical, mental, and spiritual balance. By incorporating them into our daily lives or yoga practice, we reconnect with our innermost being and find a more stable grounding.
🌿 Earth (ʻĀina): Grounding and stability
The earth is the foundation of existence, symbolizing strength, stability, and connection to our roots. Standing barefoot on the ground allows us to absorb earth energy and balance our emotional anchors.
Practicing Yoga Nidra or postures like Tadasana (mountain pose) helps us connect to this stabilizing force.
In Hawaii, walking on the sand or meditating under a sacred banyan tree promotes a sense of security and grounding.
🌊 Water (Wai): Fluidity and letting go
Water symbolizes adaptability, purification, and renewal . Constantly moving, it teaches the art of letting go and acceptance.
Practicing Yin Yoga , where postures are held for a long time, helps to embrace the fluidity of the body and emotions .
Hawaiians practice water purification (Hi'uwai) , a ritual of bathing in the ocean to free oneself from negative energies and start anew.
🌬️ Air (Makani): Breathing and intuition
Air represents the breath of life (Ha) and the connection between the inner and outer. It is linked to the mind and communication with the invisible world.
The practice of Pranayama (breathing exercises) and in particular Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) balances energies and clarifies the mind.
In Hawaii, listening to the wind blowing through the palm trees or meditating in front of the trade winds strengthens awareness of the present moment.
🔥 Fire (Ahi): Energy and transformation
Fire is the force of transformation, will and action . It symbolizes motivation and inner energy.
Practicing dynamic styles like Ashtanga Yoga or Kapalabhati (Breath of Fire) stimulates energy and vitality.
In Hawaii, the Kīlauea volcano is a sacred manifestation of fire, recalling the power of renewal and creation.
A balance between the elements for inner harmony
We are constantly influenced by these elements , and cultivating a conscious connection with them allows us to adjust our inner state. If we feel scattered, we can strengthen our anchoring with the earth . If we need mental clarity, we can work with the air .
Whether through yoga, meditation, or rituals inspired by Hawaiian traditions, honoring the elements means harmonizing with the universe and finding a deep balance.
LOMI LOMI: SACRED MASSAGE AS A HEALING PRACTICE
Lomi Lomi , also known as "loving hands massage," is an ancient Hawaiian healing practice that goes far beyond a simple physical massage. It is a healing ritual that aims to rebalance the energy of the body and mind by harmonizing Mana , the vital force that circulates within each of us.
A holistic massage inspired by nature
In Hawaiian tradition, the body, mind, and emotions are intimately linked. Muscle tension can reflect an energetic or emotional blockage. Lomi Lomi is inspired by the movements of nature , including:
The ebb and flow of the waves, with long, fluid gestures of the forearms.
The breath of the wind, through a gentle and rhythmic pressure.
The power of fire and earth, with deep work on muscle tissue.
Practitioners often use warm oils and sometimes incorporate sacred chants (Oli) to intensify the spiritual dimension of the treatment.
A ritual of inner transformation
Traditionally, Lomi Lomi was practiced by Kahuna , Hawaiian healers, to prepare the body and soul for renewal, such as a life transition or energetic cleansing. It is often accompanied by prayer and Ho'oponopono , a ritual of forgiveness and emotional release.
It helps to dissolve physical and mental tensions .
It promotes a deep letting go , releasing emotions stored in the muscles and joints.
It restores the circulation of Mana , thus rebalancing overall well-being.
A parallel with the philosophy of yoga
Like yoga, Lomi Lomi is based on the idea that blocked energies hinder vitality . Working on the body promotes emotional openness and better energy flow, similar to asanas and pranayama.
Certain yoga postures, such as Supta Baddha Konasana (reclining butterfly pose), accompanied by deep breathing, extend the benefits of Lomi Lomi by promoting relaxation and integration of the experience.
Integrating the energy of Lomi Lomi into your daily practice
Even without receiving a massage, it is possible to apply the principles of Lomi Lomi in your routine:
Practice self-massage with fluid movements to relax the body.
Combine breathing and movement , as in a gentle yoga practice.
Cultivate intention and kindness , because every touch carries energy.
Lomi Lomi is much more than a massage : it is an art of living that invites us to welcome each moment with gentleness, to release what hinders us and to let the energy of life circulate freely.
HOW TO INTEGRATE THESE RITUALS INTO YOUR DAILY YOGA PRACTICE
Hawaiian traditions and yoga share a common vision: that of a balance between body, mind, and life energy . By incorporating certain ancestral rituals into your yoga practice, you can enrich your experience, deepen your inner connection, and cultivate a more holistic sense of well-being.
1. Honor Mana through conscious breathing
In Hawaiian culture, Mana is the life energy that flows within and around us. In yoga, this energy is similar to Prana , which we can activate and harmonize through Pranayama .
Exercise: Practice Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) at the beginning of your session to balance your inner energy and strengthen your connection with Mana. Associated Hawaiian ritual: Take a moment to express your gratitude before your practice by setting an intention and breathing deeply.
2. Apply the principles of Ho'oponopono in meditation
Ho'oponopono , a Hawaiian ritual of forgiveness and release, can be a powerful tool for mental cleansing before or after your yoga session.
Exercise: While relaxing in Savasana , repeat the mantra internally:
"I'm sorry, forgive me, thank you, I love you." Benefits: This practice helps release emotional tension and cultivate a state of inner peace .
3. Connect with natural elements during practice
The elements (Earth, Water, Air, Fire) are omnipresent in Hawaiian traditions and play an essential role in the balance of body and mind.
Exercise :
the Earth elementTadasana (mountain pose)
the Water element, chain a fluid Vinyasa , synchronizing the breath and the movement.
the AirUstrasana element (camel pose).
the Fire element, activate your energy with exercises like the breath of fire (Kapalabhati) .
4. Draw inspiration from sacred songs and dances to awaken energy
Chanting (Oli, Mele) and hula dancing are bodily expressions that promote harmony and joy. In yoga, Bhakti Yoga (the yoga of devotion) also incorporates mantras and intuitive movements.
Practice: Incorporate a chant or mantra into your practice, such as "Om Shanti Shanti Shanti" to invoke inner peace, or a Hawaiian chant to reinforce your intention for the day. Benefits: This approach helps open the heart and release stagnant emotions .
5. Welcoming the energy of Lomi Lomi into the movement
Lomi Lomi , a traditional Hawaiian massage, is based on fluid, enveloping movements reminiscent of the movement of waves. In yoga, mobility and gentleness are just as essential.
Exercise: Practice a slow, flowing Yin Yoga sequence, paying attention to each bodily sensation and incorporating gentle self-massages on the arms and legs. Ritual: After the session, apply a natural oil to your skin, massaging gently to prolong the relaxing effect.
6. Bring these rituals back into everyday life
Yoga and Hawaiian traditions aren't confined to a mat or a practice room. They are life philosophies to be integrated into every moment.
Create a sacred space at home with natural elements (stones, shells, driftwood) to meditate and recharge.
Listen to nature sounds (waves, birds, wind) during moments of relaxation or breathing.
Expressing gratitude daily is a fundamental principle of yoga and Hawaiian traditions.
Yoga enriched by Hawaiian wisdom
By incorporating these rituals into your routine, you cultivate a deep connection with your life energy and the nature around you. Whether through breath, movement, sound, or meditation, these practices help you find harmony between body, mind, and the living world , while respecting the essence of yoga and Hawaiian traditions.
TINA's Bio
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TINA
1994, Reunion Island & Mauritius, a Life driven by the Indian Ocean and Yoga
Since childhood, this intrepid traveler has traveled the globe, leaving her footprints on beaches around the world.Passionate about surfing, scuba diving and sailing, she has made the oceans her playground and source of inspiration.
The freedom of the waves, the serenity of the ocean depths and the wind in his sails have punctuated his journey, always guided by a quest for connection with nature.
It was through her explorations that yoga became more than a practice for her – it was a way of life.
Between early morning surf sessions and meditative sunsets, she found in yoga a perfect balance of strength, flow and self-awareness.
Today, she combines her passion for water sports with teaching yoga and is part of the Yogaterrae team, here in France, in the South West and often remotely :)
This adventurer is a true source of inspiration for anyone who aspires to live in harmony with their body and nature.
Through her stories of incredible experiences, she invites everyone to open up to a world where every wave, every breath and every posture is a celebration of life.
