Healing the Belly

Babies begin their lives in the belly of their mothers. The belly is a safe, warm, and loving place. It is near to the mother’s heart. The belly is massaged by the rhythmic tides of the diaphragm. The belly is the center of nutrition, both physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

 

The belly has been revered by cultures all over the world as the “seat of the soul”. The naval is where we first took in energy, from our mothers, through the umbilical cord in the rhythmic flow of blood, oxygen, and nutrition. This area continues to nourish us physically, emotionally, and energetically throughout our lives. The abdomen is the core of the human being.

 

The belly is the center of gravity in the body. The web of fascia that binds together the organs, muscles, tissues, and skeleton of our body spirals out from the naval. Massage of the abdomen tones the muscles and fascia, increases blood and lymph circulation, realigns the organs, eases digestive problems, and nurtures our sexual health. When abdominal restrictions are released then we are free to experience deep belly laughs and feel our gut emotions.

 

Traditional Mayan healers believe that the energetic center of the body is the reproductive organs. They teach that a significant number of health problems are related to a prolapsed uterus or prostate which is caused by weak abdominal fascia and muscles. Toning and unwinding the abdominal muscles can be achieved through exercise and massage to increase strength, flexibility, circulation, and balance.

 

Every day throughout pregnancy, send healing to yourself and your baby through placing your hands on your belly and directing your feelings of love and attention to your child. Focusing your heart on your baby in this manner centers your spirit, grounds your body, and calms your mind. This heart-centered touch enhances the body’s production of oxytocin: the hormone of love that facilitates birth, breastfeeding, and bonding.

 

Through menstruation, fertility, menopause, and beyond, you can send loving energy to your belly and nurture your energy center of creativity and relationships. The power of our bodies for conscious healing and living is infinite. Open to your inner energy source and connect with your intuition and soul-guidance.