Closing of the Bones Ceremony
Closing of the Bones: A Sacred Postpartum Ritual
The Closing of the Bones is a traditional ceremony rooted in various cultures around the world, designed to honour and support a mother’s physical and emotional healing after childbirth.
While used widely for postpartum, Closing of the Bones can be a profound ritual for any rite of passage or significant event in someone's life, offering a symbolic closure and a nurturing space to honour transitions and new beginnings
This ritual involves wrapping the mother’s body in rebozos (woven scarves), applying gentle pressure, and providing warmth through massage or the use of herbal compresses.
The process symbolises the closing of the mother's body after the openness of pregnancy and birth, helping her feel nurtured and whole as she transitions into motherhood.
In 2024, I had the privilege of deepening my understanding of this sacred practice through specialised training with Sasha from Barefoot Vibes Midwifery. Sasha's guidance enriched my ability to offer this ceremony with sensitivity and reverence, ensuring each session provides a grounding and restorative experience for the new mother. This training emphasised not only the physical techniques but also the emotional and spiritual aspects of Closing of the Bones, allowing me to create a safe, supportive space where mothers can feel celebrated and cared for in their postpartum journey.
What happens during a ceremony?
A Closing of the Bones Ceremony is a 1 to 1.5-hour session held in the comfort of your home, offering a nurturing and restorative experience that includes:
- Preparing the space with a cleansing ritual using sage and incense.
- Discussing your connection with your womb and body, along with setting a personal intention for the ceremony, such as inviting more self-love, relaxation, or joy.
- Guided breath awareness and gentle touch on key areas like the head, feet, shins, and thighs.
- Wrapping the body in rebozo cloths to support movement and grounding.
- Additional hands-on touch, followed by a comforting embrace.
- Playing a medicine drum over the body, focusing on balancing the main chakras.
- Resting in stillness, cocooned in rebozo cloths while listening to calming music.
- Gradual unwrapping of the cloths, accompanied by gentle touch to help reawaken the senses.
- A chat to conclude the session, allowing time to process and integrate the experience.
Benefits of COB
A Closing of the Bones ceremony offers numerous benefits, including:
1. Physical Healing: The gentle wrapping and massage help realign the body, promote relaxation, and support the body’s recovery after childbirth or other life transitions.
2. Emotional Release: This nurturing ritual provides a safe space for emotional expression, helping to release pent-up emotions and foster a sense of peace and well-being.
3. Spiritual Connection: By honouring significant life changes, the ceremony helps individuals reconnect with their inner self, fostering a deeper sense of purpose and grounding.
4. Energy Balancing: The use of rebozo wrapping and the medicine drum can help balance energy flow, aligning the body's chakras and restoring harmony.
5. Empowerment: The ritual encourages self-love and acceptance, empowering individuals to embrace their journey and transition with confidence and clarity.
6. Support and Nurturing: Being held in a sacred, supportive environment allows individuals to feel cared for, which can be especially beneficial during vulnerable times.
7. Mindfulness and Presence: The ceremony encourages mindfulness, helping individuals become more present in their bodies and cultivate a deeper awareness of their physical and emotional states.
How to book in?
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