Closing The Bones

Closing of the Bones Ceremony

The Closing of the Bones is an ancient cultural tradition that nurtures and honors postpartum mothers. It creates space for them to acknowledge the physical and mental changes their bodies have undergone, express gratitude, release emotional ties that no longer serve them, and embrace a new chapter in their lives. Variations of this ceremony have been practiced around the world for centuries.

Benefits

Physical: The ceremony may help realign muscles, organs, and pelvic bones, addressing pelvic instability and closing hips that may have widened during pregnancy or birth. It stimulates fascia and blood flow, aiding in uterine shrinkage, milk production, fluid movement, and hormone balance.

Mental: By reducing anxiety and promoting calm, the ceremony helps shift the body from a sympathetic (fight-or-flight) state to a parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) state, fostering inner peace.

Emotional: It provides a safe space for mothers to process their birth experience, allowing them to release unresolved emotions, trauma, or negative feelings related to pregnancy or birth.

Ceremony Process

The ceremony begins by creating a sacred healing environment, possibly with light music, candles, or incense, and an optional foot soak. You will lie on a blanket with pillows while your body is gently sifted using a rebozo. Afterward, you'll receive a light massage with warm oil, be tightly wrapped in rebozos, and left to rest. The ceremony concludes with warm tea or chai.

Participation and Timing

The ceremony can be done privately or with close female friends or family who can actively participate. It can be performed anytime after childbirth, miscarriage, hysterectomy, or abortion, even years later.