CARING FOR OUR CORE

By Terra Rafael (formerly Terra Palmarini Richardson),
Reiki Master, Ayurvedic Practitioner, Midwife

I was blessed to attend two incredible workshops taught by Rosita Arvigo: Self Care & Professional training in the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal/Uterine Massage. Her teacher Don Elijio Ponti gave her permission to share what he had taught her to her American people, to help us care for our cores. Rosita had apprenticed with him for 12 years in Belize. She has integrated his teachings with American knowledge of anatomy & physiology and the work of Wilhelm Reich on energy bands, and her training as a napropathic doctor (like a phd in massage, with chiropractic).

Our belly is where we begin-the umbilicus was our original root to nourishment from Mother and this area continues to nourish us physically, emotionally, & energetically throughout our lives-when it is free to do its work. When the area is constricted by the uterus being out of place and/or stored tensions, this work does not happen properly. When the constrictions are released we are freer to have belly laughs and feel our gut reactions-as well as avoiding many discomforts & female complaints. (This technique is also very useful in preventing digestive, circulatory, & prostate problems in men)

I experienced first hand that these techniques work to move the uterus . My uterus had been sitting low in my yoni for some time now-it had to be scooped up to see the cervix when doing a speculum self exam. When I received the massage I felt my uterus move!! It's a unique sensation. After having the massage done on me & practicing self massage for a couple of days I checked my cervical position and it had risen up.

At the Professional training we also learned techniques for the upper abdomen-this helps to loosen tight diaphragms and increases circulation, digestion and the ability to breathe deeply. Tightening here can be a way to store old unspoken & unresolved traumas in our body. By gentle work these can be healed. I personally experienced a deep healing with upper abdominal & other techniques regarding past sexual abuse. With the prayers and support of my Arvigo therapists I was able to release some very old yucky stuff from my body in a safe & simple way.

The techniques for pregnant women are specially designed for gentle support of the growing uterus, thus allowing it to go from the usual 4 oz of weight to about 15 lbs while staying in its physiological position. The increased blood flow, lymph drainage & nerve & energy flows allows for optimum growth of the baby and function of the uterus in labor. By properly position, the uterus can "aim" the baby out most easily. There are also special techniques reserved to use at 38 weeks to be sure the body is primed for labor. A CNM who uses this reported that she has very little trouble with postdates pregnancies since using this in her practice. A massage therapist reported great successes with breech babies moving head down when the uterus is positioned.

I'm excited to include this in my healing practice & look forward to serving you & your friends with these new ways to enhance your health & happiness.