Many cultures around the world have unique practices for postnatal care. Mexico utilizes reboso massages, Russia employs sauna sessions and body brushing, Thailand offers aromatic Yu Fai treatments, and Malaysia practices belly binding. Both India and China are rich in recipes from Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In my work, I like to integrate this diverse knowledge, particularly because these traditions share core principles: warmth, nurturing, love, and support
During labor, the body opens and dilates. In the postpartum period, particularly during the first few weeks, a mother’s body remains "open" and sensitive to drafts, lack of rest, heavy foods, and even unkind words. This is why it is crucial to create a gentle, warm, and loving environment around a new mother. Additionally, some time after delivery, it’s important to facilitate the "closing" of both body and mind to promote a healthy recovery.
Indigenous people from Mexico, Slavic nations, and various Asian cultures hold special ceremonies to aid in postpartum recovery. In Mexico, it's known as "Closing the Bones," in Russia, "Swaddling of the Mother," and in Malaysia, "Sacred Belly Binding." These ceremonies, though known by many names worldwide, share common goals: to warm the body, relieve tension, eliminate toxins and negative emotions, tighten the pelvis and belly, and celebrate the woman's new stage in life. Below is a video demonstrating the "Closing Birth Ceremony" with further details.
Here's a structured description of the "Closing the Bones" ceremony
1. Therapeutic Talk
The ceremony begins with a therapeutic talk where the mother shares her birth story. This allows her to release any negative feelings and integrate positive experiences from the childbirth process. It's a moment of reflection and emotional unburdening, guided by a practitioner who listens and supports the mother through this emotional release.
2. Intention Setting and Mandala Creation
Following the talk, the mother sets intentions for her healing and future as a mother. Accompanied by art therapy, she creates a mandala, which serves as a visual representation of her intentions. This artistic expression helps consolidate her goals and aspirations, providing a symbolic focus for her journey into motherhood.
3. Herbal Tea and Bath
Next, the mother enjoys a soothing herbal tea, followed by a warm bath infused with healing herbs. This stage is designed to relax the body deeply and start the physical healing process, using the therapeutic properties of herbs to aid recovery and promote relaxation.
4. Massage
A full-body massage is given to relax the muscles deeply, improve circulation, and help the body regain strength and vitality. This massage focuses on areas most affected by childbirth, providing targeted relief and promoting overall wellness.
5. Rebozo Relaxation Massage
The practitioner uses a rebozo (a traditional shawl) to perform a relaxation massage, particularly focusing on the nervous system. This technique helps rejuvenate and calm the nervous system, easing stress and physical tension from the body.
6. Closing the Bones Ritual
The ceremonial 'closing' is performed using the rebozo to wrap the body, particularly around the hips, abdomen, and shoulders. This act symbolically 'closes' the body after the openness of childbirth, realigning the body and helping to stabilize the mother's physical and energetic state.
7. Embracing the New Role as a Mother
The final stage marks the mother's transition into her new role with an opening ceremony. This may include affirmations, blessings, or rituals that honor her new identity as a mother. It's a celebratory conclusion that recognizes her journey and welcomes her into this next phase of life with warmth and community support.
This structured approach not only addresses the physical aftermath of childbirth but also deeply supports the emotional and spiritual well-being of the new mother, helping her to step confidently into her role with strength and grace.
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