La Apertura
Opening Rebozo massage for fertility and well-being during pregnancy.
This whole body treatment aligns and lengthens your body for optimal health and well-being. With the aid of the Rebozo (a long Mexican shawl traditionally used by Indigenous Mexican midwives), your body is cradled, lengthened and supported in releasing tension, especially in the neck, spine and pelvis. The deep state of relaxation which follows will restore your energy levels and allow for any previous stagnant energy to move freely through your body.
You will benefit from this rebozo massage if:
You are preparing for pregnancy and wish to optimise your health and well-being beforehand
You are pregnant and have a sedentary lifestyle (you spend most of your days sitting in front of a computer, for example)
You are pregnant and are looking for a deeply relaxing massage which relieves tension and discomfort in the spine and pelvis
Photo by Laurie Castelli
La Cerrada
A traditional Mexican postnatal ceremony to honour and nurture the new mother.
La Cerrada begins with a herbal immersion bath to cleanse, heal and soothe the new mother’s body. The herbal blend is carefully selected to meet the mother’s individual needs. A 20-30 min soak is ideal to receive the full benefits of the healing plants.
After her bath, the new mother is kept warm and laid down over rebozos to begin the sealing ceremony. Pregnancy and birth are opening experiences on the emotional, physical and spiritual levels. According to traditional Mexican medicine, a woman needs support to close her physical and energetic body after her baby is born. This preserves her energy and realigns her being. It is her time to be held, cared for and celebrated. Seven rebozos are used to wrap her body from head to toe whilst two people (including me and another person of her choice), hold her on either side.
From the physical perspective, la Cerrada facilitates the return of the womb, abdominal organs and pelvic bones back to their original position. This can be further supported with a combined abdominal massage and belly bind.
La Cerrada can be very healing for women who have experienced a miscarriage or a still birth. All women need to feel safe, held and cared for through difficult times.
(This ceremony is included in The Sovereign Birth Package)
Mother Blessing Ceremony
As passed down to me by traditional Mexican midwife, Angelina Martinez Miranda.
This gathering and blessing is traditionally offered to a woman at her 4th month of pregnancy. It aims to fill the mother-to-become with confidence, love and positivity, whilst deeply honouring her path towards becoming a mother.
A medicinal cacao is prepared for her with herbs and spices whilst her loved ones capture their blessings, one knot at a time, in a fine red belt which surrounds the woman’s hips. All her blessings will accompany her throughout pregnancy until it is time to release them, by undoing the knots during birth.
These skills have been directly handed down to me by traditional Mexican midwife Angelina Martinez Miranda, who preserves a long lineage of authentic indigenous Mexican midwifery. Her transmission, generosity and heart receive my complete respect and immense gratitude. My own Mexican roots are present in my sharing.
We are currently, in the West, experiencing a real confusion in regards to these practices due mainly to the commercialistaion and misunderstanding of Rebozo related skills and their significance in Mexican culture. Please ensure that your practitioner is safe and aware by referring to this directory of professionals who have learnt directly from the source.