Bone Closing Ceremony

 I’ve been instructed that typically we want to wait 4-6 weeks from delivery to give the body time to heal completely (6-8) for cesarean delivery. In the meantime we are attending to our postpartum person with special foods, herbs, precautions and comfort/healing measures such as herbal sitz baths, massage, keeping the body (especially womb area) warmed, preparing their food and doing chores for them so they are physically and emotionally cared for. We can utilize the Rebozo and Faja (woven belt). To help physically support the abdomen & back during this time (a type of belly binding.).

Honoring the completion of pregnancy, integration of birth, and transformation into motherhood.  

First a hot floral bath and a head to toe herbal cleansing is given. We end with light bodywork and a bone closing (wrapping from head to toe) to supports postpartum alignment -bones and fascia, spirit and body, central nervous system.

A closing can be given anytime after having a child, miscarriage or abortion, even years later.

The Closing of the Bones ceremony acknowledges the immense changes a woman has undergone in pregnancy and childbirth and assists in bringing her spirit back into her own body. Physically, it guides her bones back into place, helps her pelvic organs shift and her uterus to shrink back down, and stimulates blood flow.

Closing of the Bones is a postpartum healing ceremony. Created to nurture the mother after her passage through giving birth, and her journey into motherhood.  It is a celebration, a setting of sacred space, and a way to nurture Mum & baby. A way to create a moment of stillness, of meditative peace and reflection in the rollercoaster of emotions of new motherhood.

Many women find that when they have given birth they feel ‘broken open’.  The body, mind and spirit have to open and let go from a deep place to bring a new soul into the world. We open ourselves to the most dramatic life experience and sometimes traumatic experience.

The pelvis is a complicated piece of engineering, with bone, muscles, ligaments, tendons and fascia helping both stabilise the body and allow for motion.

Emotionally, the pelvis is the home of the second chakra, “Svadhisthana”, which is closely associated with emotions and with the unconscious. The hip muscles are programmed to be easily activated for “fight, flight or freeze” response. When the body suffers a trauma, our instinctual reflex is to clench these deep muscles. The problem is, we don’t let go. These unresolved emotions and trauma can be felt upon the hips as adrenalin crystals, that are released during the massage.

During pregnancy, the hips, open, becoming wider and wider to accommodate the growing baby and prepare the body for birth.  It is vitally important to help the hips close post birth, otherwise, mothers suffer from pelvic instability as a result.

The Massage

The massage itself includes a rocking motion with a rebozo, a traditional Mexican shawl, to rock the pelvic bones back into alignment. This is then followed by various hand massage techniques using oil around the pubic bones, belly and around the hips, helping to draw the woman’s energy back to her creative centre, her womb. The rebozo is then used for closing the hip bones by a method of wrapping.

Beyond the physical aspect of closing the bones, there is a spiritual aspect to the massage, which provides a safe space/ritual for the mother to feel nurtured and release emotions associated with the birth and motherhood.

The Ceremony

The Closing of the Bones Ceremony is designed for mothers from postpartum and beyond. The ceremony is open to all mothers at any time who wish to find some closure for themselves no matter how old your child is.  It can also be performed on women who haven’t birthed but wish to close something else in their life.

I offer an intimate Closing Of The bones ceremony to just the new mum or a full closing of the bones ceremony, which can be attended by your closest female family and friends who will take an active role in the ceremony. If you’ve had a Mother Blessing, it’s often very lovely to invite the same group of women back to your Closing of the Bones Ceremony.

Full Closing Of The Bones Ceremony

Invite your closest female family and friends to honour both you and new-born baby. A beautiful sacred space is set up, where mum and baby will be pampered, honoured and lavished with love.

As part of the celebrations, we will make a sacred aromatherapy and botanical bath blend for mum to soak in. Mum to be will be pampered during the ceremony, her feet bathed, and her hands and shoulders massaged by the women in the circle, whilst baby will be nurtured and cared for too.

We will share stories of positive stories of motherhood and parenting and guests will pledge themselves to you in the shape of offering to help: bring round a prepared dish, an offer of babysitting, do your laundry, clean the house and so on. All everyday chores that can help a new mum and baby tremendously.

The same closing of the bones massage will be given and your circle of women will kneel by your side for the final closing, and the sealing element of the ceremony. Holding this space for you to feel, acknowledge and release, allowing as much time as is needed. Nothing is rushed; the gift is time, pure intentions and love.

Guests will be asked to bring a dish to share with all.

The full closing ceremony can be at your home, mine, or a place of your choice and will last around 3 hours.

Cost: Closing of the Bones Ceremony 3 hours £180

*All fees include supplies. Travel Expenses/mileage will be applied outside of a 5-mile radius

**Invitations can be provided at an additional cost

Closing of the Bones ~ Intimate Ceremony

An intimate ceremony for just you. A sacred space is set up, with relaxing music, candles and incense. The curtains are pulled to make the space lovely and cosy.  A mat is placed on the floor with several rezobos on top. You are then asked to lie on your back on the prepared mat. Your hips are rocked first with the rezobo. Then your abdomen and hips are massaged,  using a special warming aromatherapy oil. Finally, you are wrapped up in the rezobos, from your head to your toes and covered with a blanket to keep you nice and warm.

The ritual is then finished with a warming drink and a chance for you to talk about the experience.