Closing the Bones Ceremony

£75 + travel

Closing the bones (or Cerrada) is a treatment/ceremony that is traditionally applied to new mothers. In Ecuador, women are given this massage within hours of the birth, and receive it again at least 5 or 6 times during the first 40 days postpartum. The massage stimulates blood flow which in turn; cleans, renews, moves fluids (may help with milk supply/lochia), moving hormones, immune system, toning muscles and tissue.

In traditional cultures, the 41 days of the postnatal period represent a sacred time. In this time the woman will have the closing massage at least 5 times, the first being 6 hours after birth, this begins to put the bladder and uterus back into place.

The treatment includes sifting (gentle rocking and aligning process) with a rebozo (long shawl), to close the hip bones, and using various hand massage techniques using oil around the pubic bones, belly and around the hips.

It addresses the physical opening of the woman at birth and also the spiritual opening in that it gathers her physically and energetically ‘back together’.

This ceremony/treatment was brought to the UK by Rocio Alarcon. Rocio is an amazing woman from Ecuador. She was trained in traditional midwifery, shamanism and, ethnobotany by her mother and grandmother, and she also holds a PhD in ethnobotany.

Closing the bones can also used to mark times of major transition and completion for women, such as:

Menarche
Birth
Menopause
New job
Leaving a relationship
After illness/trauma
After loss (such as miscarriage, or death of a loved one)
Moving etc…

The first 40 days are crucial to a new mother’s recovery. In many cultures around the world, women are still given the privilege of slowly recovering after birth and having a concentrated time to be with their newborn without having to fulfill their normal responsibilities.

A woman recovers faster, produces more milk, has less instance of postpartum depression and can bond more easily with her baby.

I invite you to limit guests in the beginning…rule of thumb ~ if you are not comfortable baring your breast to someone, it is too early to invite them over!

Remember ~ giving birth is an altered state of consciousness ~ you need to recalibrate!
Please take some time before you go outside and before you take your baby outside into the noise, and massive stimulation.

And…the more time that you and your baby (and partner) spend time alone ~ the stronger your bond and the more secure you all will feel. Your auras and energetic fields actually strengthen and meld together! Really!

These are not things that are thought of in this modern day technocratic society ~ but it is something to think about.

Through Closing the Bones we aim to celebrate motherhood and draw attention to the perfection that is a mother’s body. However she birthed her child, this is a time to breath, reflect on her journey so far and feel loved and supported by her community.

Ahead of the massage I discuss your preferences with you, and all stages of the ceremony will be arranged to your own requirements / wishes.

I prepare a mat on the floor and lay one or more shawls on top (I often use a traditional Mexican shawl called a rebozo). Relaxing music may be used.

Natural incense or aromatherapy oils ,may be used to scent the room. (a diffuser, some scented candles).

You then lie on your back on the prepared mat.

Firstly I will rock your hips for a while using a rebozo or other scarf or shawl.

Then I massage your abdomen and hips, using a warming oil, that has been prepared for your individual needs, I follow a specific sequence of movements designed to loosen and relax you.

Finally I wrap your hips, or wrap you from your head to your toes with several shawls and cover you with a blanket to keep you nice and warm.

Whilst you lay in stillness, I read a poem, sing a song, drum, or simply keep my hands on your body, whilst you integrate the process, all of which is decided beforehand.

When finished, I leave you to relax for a while whilst I prepare you a lovely drink.

There is time to chat about the experience for a while afterwards.

The whole process usually lasts between 1.5 and 2h.

Bright Blessings.