closing the bones

traditional honouring ceremony with

rebozo & abdominal massage

a deeply nurturing ceremony rooted in traditional approaches to postpartum care and life transitions.

i open at the close

a way of gathering, of bringing attention back to the body after times of expansion, change, or emotional intensity. through wrapping, containment, and intentional touch, the body is supported in finding a sense of grounding, integration, and return.

this ceremony honours what the body has moved through. creating a space for rest, emotional release, and embodied acknowledgment, allowing you to be held, as you are, without expectation or explanation.

this is a ritual of closure, a way of gently marking transition and supporting the body as it softens and opens to a renewed version of yourself.

“the ceremony was the first time since our birth that allowed me to truly relax into my body and breathe again.

being able to talk about elements of my birth and have those words heard and recognised brought me to a place of understanding that I hadn’t been able to articulate and really helped me to start healing and making peace.

the whole ceremony was exactly what my body and mind needed at this moment and it was magical to experience this”

— kind words from a beautiful first time mama

who is this ritual for?

the closing ceremony is relevant for many different life phases and experiences, this may resonate with you if you are:

  • navigating the postpartum period and seeking grounding, rest, and containment

  • moving through a significant life transition, ending, or threshold

  • feeling emotionally or physically depleted and in need of supportive holding

  • navigating menopause and seeking support to acknowledge, honour and celebrate this important rite of passage

  • wanting to reconnect with your body after a period of change, intensity, or overwhelm

  • drawn to traditional, ritual based forms of care that honour transition rather than rush through it

  • seeking space to pause, integrate, and be supported without expectation or demand

this offers a space to meet yourself gently, exactly as you are. a beautiful way to come into your body, to meet & honour yourself there.

the ceremony is shaped around your needs and includes:

a 2-hour ceremonial bodywork experience.

includes rebozo massage to the body from head to toe, plus restorative abdominal womb massage. soothing the muscles & ligaments around the pelvis with specifically blended, warming aromatherapy oils.

the massage is completed by wrapping each part of your body with rebozo cloths, to close you physically & emotionally & help you return to your body.

  • abdominal and womb centred massage

  • traditional rebozo bodywork

  • warming, soothing touch based support

  • guided grounding and integration

  • time for rest and emotional settling

the pace is slow, intentional, and guided by consent throughout, allowing your body to lead the experience.

“the ceremony was everything I had hoped for and more. Emma took the time to learn a bit about me before the ceremony and I felt genuinely cared for and honoured by her throughout the process. The ceremony itself was very moving and helped me to process my birth experience more than I was able to alone. It left me feeling relaxed, loved and stronger - and ready to move gently into my new chapter of life with my little one.”

honouring the lineage

i am so honoured to have learnt this sacred ceremony directly from dr. rocio alarcon, a renowned ethnobotanist, traditional midwife and healer from equador. rocio was passed the knowledge of this massage ritual from her own grandmothers, who cared for the women in their village with this gentle, honouring practice for generations.

rocio explained to us that this ceremony is rooted in her Ecuadorian culture, that she shares this practice with others so that people around the world can feel held, supported & honoured during the sacred time after birth, without appropriation. in the west there has sadly been much appropriation of this beautiful practice where the ceremony has been adapted without permission. the name “closing the bones” is a westernised term that is not associated with the ceremony in traditional cultures, where it is known simply as hipping, manteada or encadenamiento. i give thanks to rocio & to her grandmothers & draw on their energy each time that I offer this closing, each year i make contributions from what i gain from my practice to midwifery projects in other countries including south america & indonesia, and the rebozo’s i use support intergenerational industry in oaxaca, mexico.

closing ritual box

each closing ceremony includes a rituals box with a beautiful herbal bath tea blend, aromatherapy inhaler & reflections journal to encourage deeper reflection & self care around your closing.

returning to yourself

transitions ask to be witnessed, honoured, and gently held. through warmth, wrapping, and ritual, a closing the bones ceremony creates space for reflection, rest, and a sense of completion.

investment: £200
includes 2 hour session

as each ceremony is tailored to your circumstances and location, bookings are arranged personally. Please get in touch to discuss your needs and arrange your ceremony.

enquire about a closing ceremony

reciprocity;

“the practice of exchange with others for mutual benefit, especially where privilege is granted”

for each of my offerings i make a yearly contribution to relevant charities or organisations to support their work & acknowledge the privilege in the work that i do.

for each closing ceremony, a percentage will be donated to the IAMOE Centre, a heart centred organisation founded by Dr. Rocio Alarcon. a rainforest that preserves ancient knowledge, traditions & the natural habitat of the Amazon by creating experiential learning opportunities for people to connect with themselves, humanity, nature, and spirit.

www.iamoe.org

common questions

  • Closing the Bones can be received either in the treatment room or in the comfort of your own home.

    for postpartum clients, home visits are often the preferred option, allowing you to be in a familiar and supportive environment during this tender period of rest.

    a closing can also be held at my treatment space, The Old Pumphouse @ Buckland Park Lake, Park Drive, Buckland RH3 7FE

    the ceremony can be adapted to either setting, ensuring you feel comfortable, held, and at ease throughout the experience.

  • yes. the ceremony can be offered either in my treatment space or in your own home.

    for postpartum clients, in-home sessions are often the preferred option, allowing you to remain in a familiar and supportive environment during this tender period of rest and recovery.

    as travel and availability need to be arranged individually, in-home sessions are booked directly rather than through the online booking system.

    please get in touch to discuss availability and pricing - emma@namamama.uk

  • whenever you feel comfortable, and this of course will depend on your individual needs and birth experience.

    in many cultures, rebozo massage is given immediately after birth, it is perfectly safe to do so, but is not always practical!

    for a new mum, within the first 4 weeks can assist lochia bleeding, however there is no time limit for this massage - even 20 years after birth this can be an extremely healing experience.

    upon booking, we will always discuss the timing to ensure the work feels safe and appropriate for your body.

  • no, while this ritual is often received after birth, it can also be very supportive during all life transitions where grounding, closure, and containment are needed.

  • yes. a closing ceremony can offer a gentle, supportive space to acknowledge and honour your experience after pregnancy loss.

    this can be an opportunity for rest, reflection, and emotional healing, helping to mark and process a significant life event in a way that feels meaningful to you. i will always take time to understand what feels important for you in terms of receiving this ceremony after loss.

  • yes most certainly, this ceremony is for all births!

    please just be sure that your scar has fully healed beforehand, typically 6-8 weeks after birth, since the massage will move over & around the abdominal area.

  • yes, within the fourth trimester, your baby will have a need to be close to you.

    it is usual to feed little one before the ceremony starts, and they can enjoy the relaxing vibes whilst they (hopefully!) sleep on or near you.

    if you would like to have someone, perhaps your partner, there to take care of baby whilst you receive the massage that's completely fine too - whatever helps you to be able to relax and take this time for yourself.

  • this can be a deeply grounding and emotional experience. the space is held gently and without expectation, allowing whatever arises to be met with care and support.

    many people receive this ritual as a way of honouring and integrating their birth experience, where the emotional impact of this journey can be honestly felt. i have a lot of experience at holding space for these feelings to be met and allow space for you to name things that feel important in the moment.

  • the name “closing the bones” was given to this practice by western women who hear this poetic phrase, however this is not a cultural name for this practice.

    a closing is a traditional postpartum ritual with roots in Indigenous Mexican and other Latin American midwifery practices, that uses wrapping, warmth, and nurturing care to symbolically support a woman's transition after birth and mark the end of the childbirth journey.

  • there are some situations where abdominal work may need to be adapted or avoided, for example in cases of prolapse or after caesarean birth.

    if you have any medical concerns, recent complications, or are unsure about suitability, we will always discuss this before booking to ensure this is appropriate for you.

  • during the massage you will be covered with sheets and blankets at all times to ensure you feel warm, comfortable, and secure throughout the massage.

    please dress to your own comfort, for the greatest benefit, it is ideal to remove trousers and remain in your underwear, as this allows easier access to the lower back, hips, and legs. you are very welcome to wear loose fitting trousers or shorts if you prefer, which can be adjusted or lowered as needed.

    for your upper body, you may choose to remove clothing or keep on a loose, comfortable top, whatever helps you feel most relaxed and at ease.

    in cooler months i encourage warm socks to keep the feet cosy and support a sense of warmth and grounding throughout the treatment.