Mental Stress in workplaces costs Australian businesses more than 10 billion dollars per year.

Safe Work Australia Chair, Ann Sherry AO highlighted the increasing concern in workplaces about work-related mental stress in a report from April 2013.

“The personal impact of mental stress on workers is a serious and detrimental issue the worker and their families and also employers,” revealed Ms Sherry.

Arwen Julian a Ka Huna & Lomi Lomi Massage Therapist is passionate about her art and is the founder of Lomi Lomi Port Stephens is bringing an alternative holistic teachings to Port Stephens that relieves stress.

Lomi Lomi Massage improves flexibility, relieves body pain, relieves stress, improves the power of healing, and the flow of blood and energy throughout the entire body.

Lomi Lomi means Sacred Touch and uses flowing movements with the forearms, elbows and hands in beautiful, rhythmic strokes up, down, around and underneath the body.

The treatment expands the awareness, releasing emotions, and putting the client in touch with their body’s innate wisdom.
It is an intensely relaxing and rejuvenating experience.

On 21 October, Arwen has collaborated with Gavin Hodges from Spirit of Man Retreats to bring Port Stephens their first Lomi Lomi Retreat.

The entire weekend retreat will be hosted at the beautiful and lush surrounds of Oasis at One Mile Beach.
At the end of the retreat all participants will be certified as Level 1 Lomi Lomi practitioners.

I envision creating a safe and holistic environment for people to come and learn amazing development skills said Arwen.
The retreat brings together a total integrative approach to health.

Teachings not only include the massage but the Lomi Lomi philosophy bringing together lifestyle choices, breathing patterns, meditations, and awareness. It concentrates on the importance of healthy thoughts and actions as a whole encompassing feel it, think it, action it and it will be.

With a vision and mission of healing the world one massage at a time Arwen said her intention is to create a community a pour of positive energy, that pours love and action out into the Port Stephens community, working together for the betterment of all.

Gavin is a Kahuna Therapist and Yoga Instructor and is collaborating with Arwen to make this workshop come alive.

He told News Of The Area, “My journey as a bodyworker is one of self love.”
“There has been so much positive change in my life since embarking on this journey.”

“I believe these courses will connect people in a more heartfelt way by creating healthy positive community, plus it is a beautiful massage to learn, very healing for the receiver and the person giving,” said Gavin.

To learn more about the upcoming Lomi Lomi Retreat and the positive healing work Arwen’s and Gavin’s are bringing to the community head to www.arwenscentreofbalance.com and www.spiritofman.com.au

By Tara Lee SCOTT