About Us

Tania Hodder and James Thomas have spent the last 15 years focusing on personal development, growth and extensive training in the healing arts.

This path has led them through South East Asia, India, North America and Hawaii, studying with some of the greatest and most knowledgeable healers on the planet.

They have studied wilderness survival and sacred rituals such as the sweat lodge ceremony and Thanksgiving Address with Native American elders, practiced Meditation and Yoga with Spiritual Masters in India and practiced Lomi Lomi (Hawaiian Massage) and Ho'oponopono (Hawaiian personal therapy and healing) with several teachers, including a highly respected Hawaiian Kupuna (elder) who is a personal advisor to the King Of Hawaii.

However, although they have been privileged to learn from a variety of different cultures, it has been the 'Aloha Spirit' of the Hawaiian people and culture - their healing practices (in particular the Lomi Lomi) and philosophies for 'living well', that has most touched their lives.

They have studied the Kahuna Bodywork of Kahuna Abraham Kawai'i (via Susan Pa'iniu Floyd) and another version/interpretation of this style called Ka Huna Massage via Mette Sorensen. They've studied the Heartworks Traditional 'Old Style' Lomi Lomi of Sherman Dudoit, the HUNA and healing methods of Serge Kahili King and the Lomi Lomi Kupele and Opu Huli of Kupuna Kaipo Kaneakua in addition to his Ho'oponopono methods.

Photograph of Kahu Abraham Kawai'i used with the permission of Ho’okahi Ho’oulu and Na Pua ‘Olohe

One of the first things they learned from the Hawaiian culture was a proverb, "'A'ohe pau ka 'ike i ka halau ho'okahi" - "All knowledge is not taught in one school." This resonated strongly with them and that is why they intentionally sought out several different teachers in Hawaiian Bodywork to learn from over the years.

With each new teacher came a different perspective and additional knowledge and tools that evolved their bodywork into the unique, flowing style that it is today.

They simply call it Lomi Lomi which in it's basic terms means to knead, to squeeze and to make soft. A simple yet, accurate definition as where there is softness, there is no tension and tension on some level or another is the root cause of all dis-ease.

Although there are many many different styles of Lomi Lomi and Hawaiian Bodywork being practiced, they all have one important teaching in common and that is to touch with love and care and with prayers of healing in your heart. That, they feel is the single most important teaching, regardless of what 'style' or techniques are used. That, they believe to be the true 'spirit' of Lomi Lomi and 'Aloha'.

Today, Tania and James are truly honored to be bodyworkers and teachers (sharers) of the beautiful Lomi Lomi they so love, as well as teachers of their very own Pohaku Hawaiian Stone Therapy / Hawaiian Hot Stone Massage system, and a variety of 'soul-nurturing' and very decadent
Spa Body Treatments.

"Our Massage and Spa Therapy courses are a culmination of the very 'best' of what we've learned from our many wonderful teachers and from more than a decade of
'real world' experience as professional bodyworkers and facilitators.

We have drawn on this experience to develop the highest quality training courses that are original in presentation, fun yet very focused and also deeply inspiring."
- Tania Hodder & James Thomas - Co-Founders, TOUCH OF ALOHA

Tania as the main facilitator for Touch Of Aloha is a certified trainer and has been an RMT 1 member of the Australian Association of Massage Therapists (AAMT) for 9 years and is a respected consultant to Spas throughout Australia.

In addition to bodywork and healing, James has a real passion for Marketing, Web Design and SEO and provides extensive marketing information, resources and support to Touch Of Aloha Graduates so that they are better able to succeed as professional bodyworkers.

Together, they are Touch of Aloha.

"We are passionate and totally dedicated to helping you become a highly skilled, intuitive, caring and successful bodyworker and our desire is to empower you to reach your true potential both in your profession and also in your life!"

If you have a question about their Lomi Lomi, Hot Stone Massage & Spa Therapy courses, check out their Frequently Asked Questions page or alternatively send them an email.

Or you might like to speak to Tania or James directly by calling (07) 5531 0178.