Spotlight on a Body Work Modality
For this Winter Issue, we are spotlighting Maya Abdominal Massage & the Arvigo Therapy. Winter is an appropriate time to focus on clearing and cleansing from the inside out. It’s a time to slow down and turn your focus within. Bodywork in general does this, but Maya Abdominal Massage is specifically focused on this internal shift and cleanse of the abdomen where we store pain and emotions. This modality has the gentle power of getting to the root of many pains that are being held in the deep layers of the body, the gut.
Maya Abdominal Massage, An Ancient and Revolutionary Body Therapy
Here's 4 Reasons to Receive Maya Abdominal Massage.
The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy (ATMAT) are used to address issues of imbalance, pain and dysfunction in the abdominal, pelvic and sacral regions of the body. They are founded on the ancient Maya technique of abdominal massage, an external, non-invasive manipulation to guide internal organs into their proper position for optimum health and well-being. They help to properly align the sacrum and pelvis, improve organ function by releasing physical and emotional congestion, stimulate the flow of lymph, blood, chi and nerve impulses throughout the body.
Why Receive Maya Abdominal Massage?
Maya Abdominal Massage aligns all your organs.
When any organ isn't in its proper place, it doesn't have optimal function.
To achieve health, all organs must be aligned in the abdomen.
Every organ benefits from this external, non-invasive, therapeutic touch.
1. Alignment vs. Tilt for Optimal Function
Each organ has a designated place within the abdominal cavity. When it's enlarged, tilted, or even removed, there are drastic consequences. The importance of an aligned uterus is profound because when it’s not centered, it can cause a myriad of problems. This is specifically noticeable for the uterus because if it's tilted, a woman may experience symptoms ranging from: feeling ungrounded to menstrual cramping to an inability to conceive to problems in labor.
Imagine what it feels like to have anything a little bit to the side. For example, if your house isn't quite on its foundation - the whole thing may crumble. Or if your pot isn't all the way on the burner - the food doesn't cook evenly. The body is the same way. Maya Abdominal massage can help correct the alignment of the uterus.
2. Heals Scar Tissue
If you have had any surgeries in your abdomen, this massage is right for you. Surgeries are very often necessary, however, one of the major side effects is scar tissue. This can cause pulling within the abdominal cavity amongst organs. Also, if an organ was removed, there will be even more scar tissue. Maya Abdominal Massage can help externally and gently remove the scar tissue.
3. Releases Emotional Stress
Life is stressful. Self-Care Tools are a way to reduce the effects of stress.
Think about the commonly used phrases: It hit me in the gut.
I had a gut feeling about it.
I have butterflies in my stomach!
Our gut is where we feel things. Especially right around the navel, things can get very tight.Maya Abdominal Massage is a therapeutic touch that aids in the release of old emotions that have been stored in the abdomen.
4. Improves Digestive Health
By touching the abdomen in a clockwise motion, you increase the energy. Maya Abdominal Massage is helpful for constipation and irritable bowel syndrome because it gets things moving in the right direction.
How to Receive Maya Abdominal Massage
There are two ways to receive this technique of massage.
You can receive a session from a practitioner.
Maya Abdominal Massage Practitioners
We have four practitioners in the area:
Jahnan Derso, Women & Healing their Wombs
Amanda Moore, Herbalist and Postural Integration
Aria Simpson, Fertility Specialist
Janet Stock, Therapeutic Massage
2. You can give it to yourself. (Each practitioner can teach you in your session!)
What to Expect During Your Session
In a session, she will align your organs for you and teach you how to perform the abbreviated version on yourself in between sessions.There is nothing like having someone else do the work on you first. And it’s such good self-care to continue to massage yourself.
It’s all done externally and completely non-invasive. You will experience more space, increased blood and lymphatic flow, hip placement & perhaps standing differently, decrease of scar tissue, a softening of the pelvis, feeling more grounded and centered, and the list goes on.
Meet Your Community's Maya Abdominal Massage Practitioners
Jahnan Derso ~
After my massage studies study at Heartwood Massage School, I discovered I wanted to know more about all the organs and muscles in the abdomen and wanted to find a technique to align each organ for optimal health. What a world the abdomen is that so many therapists don’t touch.
I traveled to Belize in the heart of the Mayan Rainforest to find Rosita Arvigo. She has learned this technique from her personal teachers including Don Elijio Panti and Hortence Robinson to name two of her biggest influences. She took her Western Medical Background of Anatomy and coupled it with their indigenous healing methods. Then, she went on to be the founder of the Arvigo Massage Technique, a true reflection of Maya Abdominal Massage.
After competing her courses in 2005, I continued to develop my technique in Kauai, Hawaii. After a decade of my own abdominal and uterine changes of two pregnancies and home vaginal births, I am practicing on the public again with women around healing their wombs.
Currently I am offering sessions at the Wholistic Heartbeat at 1660 Central Ave. in McKinleyville, California. Please, send me an email at: info@hibiscushealing.com to schedule an appointment with me.
Photo features Rosita, Jahnan and her daughter
Amanda Moore ~
When I was first introduced to this work, I wasn’t prepared for the profound physical and emotional changes that were to occur.With my clients, I like to meet each person where they are most comfortable. Using a variety of ways to give support and comfort to each individual has been incredibly helpful, whether it is an herbal consultation, vaginal steams, therapeutic touch, deep tissue work, digestive system support, emotional release, or laughter. Everyone of us, needs to be heard, held, and loved.
My contact information: 707 845-6431 or email me at maniladunesmama@sbcglobal.net
Photo features Rosita and Amanda
Aria Simpson ~
My name is Aria Simpson; I am a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist as well as a practitioner of Arvigo Abdominal Massage. The Arvigo therapies are very dear to my heart. My journey in health and healing actually began as a young girl; when my stepmother (who is also an acupuncturist) took me to Rosita's Ix Chel herb farm to learn about the jungle's medicinal plants. Returning many times throughout my childhood and adolescence, my love and dedication to the healing arts blossomed.
In my current acupuncture practice, I specialize in women's health and fertility. I regularly combine the Arvigo techniques and philosophy, with my Eastern and Western medical training. I find that a mixed modality and integrative approach bring the greatest opportunities for health and wellness.
Find Aria at www.rakudahealth.com or reach her at: 707-633-3848 and rakudahealth@gmail.com
Janet Stock ~
I began my massage practice in 1992 in San Francisco, California. I now live and work in Arcata and return to the Women’s Health Resource Center in San Francisco for one week every five weeks. I began working at the Women’s Health Resource Center in 1998 helping to establish this unique hospital based massage program. In addition to extensive work with pregnancy and post partum, I now do much of my massage work with the elderly, post-surgical, cancer and patients in hospice care. This experience has enabled my to adapt to the needs of clients with specific health issues, since I can provide massage in home or in a hospital setting for clients who are bedridden.
I am a certified practitioner of the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy, oncology massage, acupressure, pregnancy and post-partum, infant massage, and Swedish massage. I combine these techniques, and my many years of practice and experience to find what is appropriate for each individual client.
For more information call 707-826-0817 and find her at www.janetstockcmt.com
Come Receive a Mini-Session of Maya Abdominal Massage.
We invite you to go deeper into your abdomen. We will be offer mini-sessions at our New Wellness Clinic beginning on Monday January 7th and every Monday through February 25th from 10:00 – 1:00.
Wellness Clinics are brought to you by Humboldt Healing Path, a non-profit DreamMaker Project of the Ink People. Wellness Clinics are offered at Wholistic Heartbeat 1660 Central Ave, Suite A in McKinleyville, Ca. Every Monday from 10:00-am to 1:00 pm on a drop in basis. These are donation based services and no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Come on by.
