Ancient Maori Healing Article – Rotorua Daily Post

The Rotorua Daily Post recently interviewed me about Traditional Maori Massage and Healing

Here is the interview:

Ancient Maori healing in modern hands

HEALING: Rotorua’s Wikitoria Oman wants to revive traditional Maori massage and healing.

Wikitoria Oman is working hard to keep Maori health traditions alive.

Of Ngati Whakaue and Ngati Pikiao descent, Ms Oman said traditional Maori healing was dying out and it was a tradition she didn’t want to see lost.

She has started Maori healing workshops in Rotorua, receiving a lot of support for her initiative. Workshops include therapeutic rubs like mirimiri and romiromi massage.

“I never dreamt there would be so much demand to learn traditional romiromi and mirimiri massage,” she said.

Early in the 20th century Maori healing went underground.

“There was time when we saw a decline in Maori health,” she said. “But now people are interested in it again, which is great.”

Ms Oman said it was hard to find practitioners of Maori health and it was something she wanted to change.

“Around Aotearoa you will still find the odd kaumatua doing mirimiri for their whanau and a few doing the deeper romiromi,” she said. “So I’m on a mission to teach as many people as I can so we can keep our traditional Maori massage and healing alive.”

Ms Oman said people in Rotorua and across New Zealand were keen to revive traditional healings.

“It is a sacred taonga which was passed down by our ancestors.”

She said she would be holding the workshops at Kahukura Retreat at Okere Falls.

“We have facilitated three Maori healing workshops so far and the next Rotorua workshop is planned for June,” she said.

“Our ancient traditions are not only appealing to Maori, as it belongs to us, but also to other bodyworkers and people who are interested in their spiritual journey.”

She said most people who attended her workshops were from health departments and other bodywork practices.

“They have all been interested in wanting to learn about our ancient traditions, our deeper healing practices and natural health and well-being for the whanau,” she said.

“Our Maori massage and healing is holistic in its approach as the spiritual dimension is never separated from physical, mental and emotional outcomes.”