Hilot: Experience this age-old healing art which aims to restore harmony to the body

Hilot is an ancient Filipino holistic practice dating back to pre-colonial times. The main purpose of Hilot is to restore harmony in the body, promoting physical, emotional and mental healing.

The traditional Filipino practice of hilot involves therapeutic massage to balance mind and body. Source: Getty Images/Viviana Loza/EyeEm

Highlights

• Hilot is an ancient practice from the Philippines dating back to pre-colonial times
• The main purpose of hilot is to restore harmony and balance in the body to promote physical, emotional and mental healing
• It involves therapeutic massage and other modalities to channel energy healing

Holistic healing and massage are integral parts of Filipino culture, with hilot being the Tagalog word for 'massage-rubbing' or 'touching with soothing strokes'.

With Great Minds, a podcast from SBS, you can experience aspects of this centuries-old Filipino healing practice for yourself. Each episode focuses on a different mindfulness or meditation technique from around the world, including three exersizes led by Sydney-based Hilot facilitator Lorelie Luna Ladiges.

Lorelie says the practice has had a life-changing effect on her, starting from a young age when she experienced migraine episodes.

"As a child in the Philippines, whenever my grandmother saw me feeling unwell, she would take me to the local hilot to help me get better.

Lorelie Luna Ladiges is a hilot practitioner. Source: Lahaina Daudt

Lorelie says Filipinos tend to learn hilot from their elders, and it is a tradition passed down from one generation to another. 

"My nanay (grandmother), her brother, their mum and their great grandmother, they all practised hilot during their lives," she says.

The word Hilot can refer to both the practice of hilot and the practitioner.

I am grateful to share this gift with others seeking healing.

Lorelie Luna Ladiges

Lorelie operates the Autarkēs Academy in Sydney’s Northern Beaches and works with a non-profit organisation called Making Meditation Mainstream, which offers free meditation sessions in response to mental health challenges.

Now holding a Diploma in Remedial and Sports Massage, Lorelie invites you to experience her learnings through the Great Minds podcast.

LISTEN TO

Hilot meditation 1: Breath

SBS Audio

19/01/202213:37

Play

How does Hilot contribute to healing?

Historically, before the advent of modern medicine, the manghihilot (folk chiropractor) was the primary health caregiver of the Filipino community.

A major belief of the practice is that most illnesses and pains result from imbalances in the body.

By using methods such as pulse reading, and heat and cold analysis, the manghihilot identifies the ailments or areas of energy imbalance in the body causing a patient's discomfort or illness.

The manghihilot traditionally uses oils, herbs, massage, and mind and body connection to treat patients.