Introduction to Maori Self-Healing

he work we do is holistic in its entirety. From alignment to right relationship, internally and externally, every part of the body has a meaning and a purpose, and when one or more parts are ‘out’ or ‘off’, our work is to connect, open, close, empower, and allow the body to re-organize and retrieve itself.

The mind will try to distract or manipulate, whereas the body only knows the truth. The body does not know how to lie, it is talking all the time. It talks through smell, taste, touch, action, withdrawal, anger, joy, so many ways…
— Atarangi Murupaenga

Rongoā Māori (Māori healing) is a holistic approach based on 4 elements, wairua (spiritual), hinengaro (psychological), tinana (physical) and whanau (lineage). In this webinar, Atarangi shares the teachings of Mahi Rākau – Self Help / Self Healing.

She will be joined by two special guests:

• Makuini Ruth Tai, a respected Māori leader and advocate from Aotearoa (New Zealand), known for her dedication to Māori language revitalization, cultural preservation, and indigenous empowerment.
• Hirini Reedy, a champion of Māori language revitalization, music, and cultural preservation.

As human beings we have become complex, and this complexity amplifies our lack while hampering our access to true self. Mahi Rākau is a return to Simplicity. It is a modality taught through many generations, with a unique methodology that heals and complements each individual according to his or her needs. The name comes from Mahi: work, job, action and Rākau: stick, tree, branch, or medicine. It can be at once easy or hard, challenging, thought-provoking, heart opening, painful, or pain-relieving.

The Rākau is a tool to help you discover yourself. To use the Rākau for self-healing, you leverage your bodyweight, either standing, sitting, or lying on your Rākau. The Rākau then ‘bites’ the flesh of specific parts of the foot or body that hold tension, ache, an old injury or emotion.  The bite sends a signal to clear and cleanse, or to release a way of being and doing that no longer serve us. You will be led through various positions and exercises to help you find the home within.

To participate, you will need to purchase three wooden sticks/dowel rods from your local timber or hardware store.  

• 1″ diameter x 20″ length or 25mm diameter x 500mm length
• 1.5″ diameter x 24″ length or 40mm diameter x 600mm length
• 2″ diameter x 24″ length or 50mm diameter x 600mm length

A bit longer in length is fine. If nothing else, a broom handle will do.

Mahi Rākau is meant to be learned “by heart” and through enough repetition to integrate it well into the body until it is second nature.

Our work together will take place barefoot, on the floor, as for a yoga class. Having a wall nearby may help you balance, or consider a straight-backed chair if getting down to and being on the floor for an extended period of time is a challenge.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing, create your floor space, and have some water at hand.

Each session has its own energy and flow. Some information will repeat in order to take us deeper into the work. Other information will be new.

You may deepen and reinforce the learning with Atarangi’s e-book, Mahi Waewae.