How This Traditional Practice Can Benefit You at Any Stage of Your Motherhood Journey

Introduction to Closing of the Bones

The postpartum period or the fourth trimester are a time when a mother’s physical body and emotional state need care and attention just as much as during pregnancy, if not more. One powerful and ancient healing tradition designed specifically for the end of this period is the Closing of The Bones ceremony. This postpartum ritual not only nurtures physical recovery but also provides emotional and spiritual healing for mothers at any stage of their journey.

Having recently experienced my own Closing of The Bones ceremony for the first time, I was surprised by the deep sense of healing it brought—both physically and emotionally, even 18 months after I gave birth to the twins. The ceremony provided me with a moment to honour my twin journey thus far, something I didn’t realise I needed until I took a moment away from the chaos to stop and reflect. I was held by my doula Loz from Mother Bloom and dear friend Avalon from Fire Daughter.

In this journal, I’ll explore what the Closing of The Bones ceremony involves, how it can benefit you, and why this sacred practice can be a transformative experience for your postpartum recovery or even later in motherhood.

What is Closing of The Bones?

The Closing of The Bones is an ancient healing ritual practised in cultures around the world, particularly in Latin America and Morocco. This ceremony focuses on the physical, emotional, and spiritual closure of a mother’s body after childbirth. During pregnancy and birth, a woman’s pelvis and bones widen and expand, both physically and energetically, to accommodate the baby’s passage. The Closing of The Bones ritual is designed to ‘close’ this space—honouring the mother’s journey into motherhood while supporting her recovery.

Traditionally, the ceremony involves the use of a woven cloth or rebozo to gently wrap and ‘close’ different parts of the mother’s body, from her head down to her feet. This process helps to restore balance, provide emotional support, and encourage the body’s natural healing process.

How It Works: What Happens During a Closing of The Bones Ceremony

This ceremony typically takes place in a quiet, calm environment where the mother can fully relax. It may last anywhere from one to four hours and often involves elements like:

• Massage and Healing Touch: The ceremony may begin with a warm oil massage or gentle healing touch to relax the muscles and stimulate blood flow.
• Herbal Treatments: Some ceremonies incorporate herbal steam baths or essential oils, chosen to encourage relaxation, cleanse the body, and promote healing.
• Rebozo Wrapping: A trained practitioner uses a special cloth, often a rebozo, to gently wrap the mother’s body from head to toe, symbolically ‘closing’ her bones and energy.
• Emotional and Spiritual Support: Closing of The Bones is as much about emotional healing as physical recovery. The process is often meditative, offering the mother a quiet space to reflect on her journey into motherhood, release emotions, and reconnect with herself.

Benefits of Closing of The Bones for Postpartum Mothers

The ceremony offers numerous benefits for postpartum recovery, including:

Physical Recovery: The rebozo wrapping helps to realign and support the body, especially the pelvis, after the expansion of childbirth. This can alleviate pain and discomfort, particularly in the hips and lower back.

Emotional Healing: Many mothers experience emotional shifts after birth, from baby blues to feelings of overwhelm. The ceremony provides a safe, nurturing space for the mother to release emotions and feel supported. Sometimes nothing comes up during the ceremony itself but feelings can surface in the hours, days or weeks following your closing.

Personally, the emotional release I felt during the ceremony was unexpected but so needed. As I was bathed in hot herbal water and then cocooned in warm blankets, I could feel myself letting go of some of the pressure I had been carrying. By the end, I felt more grounded and at peace with both my pregnancy and postpartum journey, something I hadn’t even realised I was still holding on to.

Energetic Rebalancing: After birth, the body’s energy can feel scattered or depleted. The ritual helps to ‘contain’ this energy, promoting balance and a sense of wholeness.

A Sense of Closure: Symbolically, Closing of The Bones allows the mother to ‘close’ the chapter of birth and pregnancy, offering a ceremonial sense of completion and a gentle transition into motherhood.

How Closing of The Bones Can Benefit You at Any Stage of Motherhood

While traditionally performed in the immediate postpartum period, Closing of The Bones can be beneficial even years after giving birth. Whether you’re processing a difficult birth experience, feeling physically drained, or seeking emotional closure after your children have grown, this ceremony can provide healing.

Even though I wasn’t in the immediate postpartum phase, I found the ceremony healing in ways I didn’t expect. It reminded me that motherhood is a journey that constantly requires attention and nurturing—not just for our babies, but for ourselves. For me, the ceremony didn’t feel possible while the twins were little. They often required constant feeding and holding. Whilst I didn’t expect to wait until the 18 month mark and it was definitely something I could have done sooner, my beautiful doula who held the ceremony for me was on her own maternity leave. I think it’s important to know that there isn’t a perfect or right time and the ritual can benefit mothers at any stage of their journey. Whether you’ve just given birth or you’re years into motherhood, I believe every woman could benefit from this beautiful practice.

Finding a Closing of The Bones Practitioner

If you’re interested in experiencing this beautiful and healing ceremony, it’s important to find a practitioner who is trained and experienced in postpartum care. I am in the process of launching Village for Postpartum Directory, where mamas will be able to find practitioners in their area who are dedicated to nurturing mothers through this sacred and restorative practice. This directory will be available in October 2024.

Closing of The Bones is much more than just a physical ceremony—it’s an experience that nurtures the whole mother, offering healing at a time when many women feel physically and emotionally vulnerable. Whether you’re at the end of your first 40 days postpartum or seeking healing or closure later in your motherhood journey, this traditional ritual can provide a sense of closure, comfort, and reconnection.