what is closing the bones & who is it for?…
During pregnancy, the body undergoes tremendous changes to accommodate the growing baby: the pelvis tilts and widens, spine curvature increases, abdomen stretches to accommodate the growing uterus, which in turn also pushes all the internal abdominal organs up. The ribs also flare up to make room for this. During the birth the pelvis opens as a gateway for life. After the birth it is important that they are helped to close back otherwise parents would suffer from pelvic instability. This ceremony helps to guide the bones and muscles back into place, helps the pelvic organs shift and the uterus to shrink back down. “Closing The Bones” is a ceremony to mark the significant closure of the birthing body or any “life-cycle”. This ritual can help a woman at anytime to deeply heal on an emotional, mental, physical and spiritual level.
There is an essence of vulnerability and openness at each stage of pregnancy and birth. The Bone Closing Ceremony has been used all over the world as a healing process with the purpose of closing cycles, energetic fields and returning ‘heat’ back to the body. "Closing the bones" ceremony can offer closure and a space to be held for women who have experienced loss (such as abortions, miscarriage, stillbirths) or underwent surgeries such as hysterectomy, removal of cysts and fibroids.
The ritual involves a massage and rocking of the whole body and pelvis using Rebozo (Mexican scarves or Manta as its called in Ecuador), a specific abdominal healing massage followed by a tightening of Rebozos around several points on the body.
As well as speed up the healing process on a physical, emotional and energetic/spiritual level, the tightening of scarves around the body helps us feel the contour of our bodies, provides a sense of being contained, and brings us back to ourselves. It helps a parent find closure to their birth story and to connect to their new body so that they can have the confidence as a Women, Mother, Parent.
During the session, all you need to do is let yourself rest. It is normal for a woman to experience a release of emotions during these sessions, one may feel restored and energised after the session. This ceremony is encouraged for all women who have grown, held or birthed life. You can do this as soon as you have birthed your baby in your early postpartum days or many years after childbirth.
- during the postpartum or CtB can be done years or decades later and still offer profound healing benefits.
- after baby loss, miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion.
- with fertility problems or to support an IVF journey.
- in cases where a hysterectomy is suggested or after a hysterectomy.
- for anxiety, shock, PTSD.
- to assist in the peri-menopause or mark a women & menopause (rite of
passage into the beautiful state of Crone or Wise Woman).
- to help with endometriosis, painful periods, prolapse, diastasis recti.
- to help with loss such as experienced in a divorce, loss of a loved one.
- for healing (physical, sexual, emotional, domestic) abuse and trauma.
- for ancestral trauma or trans-generational wounding.
- to mark the end of a breastfeeding journey.
- to honour milestones e.g. 1 year post-birth.
- for ADD, autism, or to help people with overwhelm or sensory overstimulation.
When is Closing the Bones work offered?
This ceremony is not exclusive for birthing mothers or women. The Bone Closing ceremony is for anyone who is going through or went through a traumatic or life changing experience and can help:
