Postpartum Ceremony to Nourish New Mothers
Closing of the Bones Ceremony
Holding sacred space for another local postpartum mother and her family to receive a Closing of the Bones ceremony is such a deep gift. Associated with a Mexican postpartum tradition, it is also referred to as Cerrar la Cadera or La Cerrada. Pregnancy and birth expand the mother's physical body and energy field significantly to usher in new human life. Hence, one of the core aspects in many traditional postpartum care practices involves helping to “close" women up.
Several of the many physiological expansions during pregnancy include:
Increases in the hormone relaxin
Blood volume increases by on average of 50%
Diastasis recti expansion in 100% of women
Pelvic opening during birth to allow for the baby's passage
Emotional, psychological and spiritual expansions are numerous as well and unique to each mother.
The cross-cultural La Cerrada practice is a powerful way to aid in closing the mother’s physical, emotional, spiritual and mental bodies so she can reconnect with herself and be fully present.
Benefits include:
Abdominal work to help bring the fascia and muscles closer together for more effective pelvic floor and core contractions
A break for deep rest, self-care and nourishment
Facilitate the important process of closing the pelvis after birth
Sharing the mother’s birth story
Giving a closing ceremony with family and friends
Closing of the Bones is included in my Postpartum package around forty-two days after birth to mark closing the mother’s sacred window, or whenever she feels ready. Doing this three times during the mother’s sacred window is normal in Mexican midwifery traditions. It’s also very beautiful to receive years later.
If you’re interested to learn more, please contact me to schedule a complimentary Breakthrough Session at www.fourseasonsharmony.com/classesandprograms.
I hold much gratitude to my teachers for exquisitely sharing these teachings and the lineages holding profound maternal care, knowledge and wisdom.
In gratitude, love and service,
Whitney
Reference
Soma-Shakti School of Women's Vedic Wisdom. (2022). Soma-Shakti Ayurvedic Postpartum Treatment Training. Soma-Shakti Australia.