Maya abdominal massage

The intention of Maya Abdominal Massage is to align your uterus in your pelvic bowl. This supports your overall reproductive, urinary, digestive and emotional health and balance. In our sessions, we begin with a thorough health intake and then in our bodywork, I offer intuitive listening to your body.

The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy® are founded on the ancient Mayan technique of abdominal massage which is a gentle, hands-on, non-invasive manipulation that repositions internal organs that have shifted, restricting the flow of blood, lymph, nerve and chi. These techniques focus on the abdomen, lower back, sacrum and tailbone.

Maya Abdominal Massage

The Origins of Maya Abdominal Massage

Based on over thirty years of training and experience in massage, naprapathy, herbology, and spiritual healing, Dr. Rosita Arvigo developed these techniques, which now bear her name. This modality incorporates a holistic approach to health care, which including massage, anatomy and physiology, herbology, nutrition, and emotional and spiritual healing.

Dr. Arvigo learned these techniques from her mentor, Don Elijio Panti, the great Maya Shaman of Belize, Central America, with whom she apprenticed for ten years. Don Elijio believed that a woman's center is her uterus. "If a woman's uterus is out of balance, so is she," he would say. Rosita also studied with Hortense Robinson, a 73 year old herbal midwife of Belize who has been delivering babies since she was 13.

Maya Abdominal Massage

"If a woman's uterus is out of balance, so is she."
- Don Elijo, Mayan Shaman

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Women's Health

Maya Abdominal Massage (MAM) benefits women struggling with a variety of health struggles relating to menstruation, digestion, urination and fertility. Women also see improvement in musculoskeletal issues such as knee and back pain with these techniques. Many women have experienced sexual, physical and/or emotional abuse. MAM can be supportive, in conjunction with therapy or counseling, in healing from abuse or sexual trauma.

Perinatal Health

MAM benefits women trying to conceive via natural means or Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).

MAM during pregnancy helps to alleviate a number of common discomforts of pregnancy, such as heartburn, reflux, round ligament pain, pubic symphysis pain and lower back pain and supports the baby’s optimal position for a gentle easeful birth for mother and baby.

MAM aids postpartum healing for vaginal deliveries and cesarean births by the alignment of the uterus and healing of scar tissue.

Men's Health

MAM benefits men by relieving congestion in pelvis that often gives rise to prostate enlargement, erectile dysfunction, frequent urination and digestive discomfort. Maya Abdominal Massage also supports men’s healing from back and knee pain, emotional, physical and sexual trauma.

Painful Menses and Painful Ovulation

By Chaya Aronson

Many women have pain during menses or pain during ovulation. Menstruation is a cyclical process that is governed by the anterior pituitary gland. If we think of this gland as a messenger, and the ovaries and uterus as the location to which the message be sent, we like to envision the path for the messenger…

Tilted Uterus

By Chaya Aronson

Many women are told, casually, by their gynecologists that they have a “tilted uterus”, and that this is “normal”. It is, in fact, so common, that many anatomy and physiology textbook illustrations picture the uterus in a forward tilt. The forward tilt, anteverted, is the most common uterine malposition, though there are others, including retroverted,…

mandala

"I received Maya Abdominal Massage from Chaya in the last week of my pregnancy, at a time when I had such extreme pubic symphysis pain that basic activities like walking were difficult. I thought it would be impossible for me to get comfortable on the table, but Chaya was able to get everything just right so that I could really relax. She provided much needed relief and support to help me move through that last week and my early labor."

Esther W.

mandala

After a series of sessions with Chaya, my menstrual cycles shifted profoundly. My symptoms included debilitating cramps that often induced vomiting, with an understandably melancholy affect. After five sessions that including Maya Abdominal Massage, Holistic Pelvic Care and Vaginal Steaming, I actually began to have peaceful menstrual cycles. I now have more awareness of my internal organs, and that feels empowering. " Chaya has an admirable way of creating space for healing. I have never had such an encouraging outcome from a chronic health issue. Thank you Chaya!

LC

Maya Abdominal Massage FAQ

What would cause a tilted or displaced uterus?
  • Injury to the sacrum or tailbone from a fall or car accidents
  • Pelvic ligaments that have weakened due to overstretching during pregnancy and birth
  • Having multiple pregnancies spaced less than 2 years apart
  • Running on concrete or high impact exercise/sports
  • Lifting & carrying heavy objects before or during menstruation and too soon after childbirth
  • Time and gravity
  • Past surgeries
  • Weak pelvic floor muscles
  • Chronic cough
  • Chronic tension around the low back and sacrum
  • Physical, emotional or sexual trauma
What are the symptoms of a displaced uterus?
  • Painful or irregular periods; painful or irregular ovulation
  • Dark or brown blood at the onset and at the end of menstruation
  • Headache or migraine with period
  • Varicose veins of the legs and/or tired, weak or numb legs
  • Low backache; back pain with period
  • Endometriosis, Uterine Fibroids and Uterine Polyps
  • PMS/depression
  • Frequent urination, bladder infections, incontinence
  • Recurrent vaginal infections
  • Chronic miscarriages
  • Difficulty getting pregnant/Infertility
  • Painful intercourse
  • Chronic constipation
  • Difficult menopause
Are there any contraindications for Maya Abdominal Massage?
  • Within the first 2-6 weeks following a normal vaginal delivery or the first 8-12 weeks  after a cesarean
  • For a woman using an IUD for birth control, we can modify the work, but would not apply deep pressure around the uterus
  • If cancer is present or suspected anywhere in the pelvis, or undergoing chemotherapy for this condition
  • During the first trimester of pregnancy
How does Maya Abdominal Massage support Fertility?

Optimizing the position of the uterus improves blood flow and clears congestion in the pelvic, therefore increasing the chances of successful conception. Treatments consist of massage, diet and lifestyle modifications, emotional support and Vaginal Steam Baths. Maya Abdominal Massage and Vaginal Steam Baths before retrieval and transfer during ARTs (Assisted Reproductive Technologies) increase chances of successful conception.

Often treating the male partner, if present, further supports likelihood of healthy conception, as clearing congestion in the male pelvis supports healthier and more vital sperm.

I've had a Hysterectomy - Is Maya Abdominal Massage helpful?

Even with a hysterectomy, Maya Abdominal Massage is beneficial for women. It improves circulation and helps to break up the scar tissue from the surgery. The remaining ligaments as well as all of the other abdominal organs receive benefit from improved circulation. The uterus is the creative center of a woman. I believe that even when the uterus has been removed, the space where she once lived still contains that creative energy of the uterus.

How do the techniques support digestion?

Our digestive tract is home to the many anxieties and emotions we experience from early childhood all the way through adulthood. Our emotions in combination with poor diet patterns and emotional eating patterns give rise to a plethora of digestive ailments, including constipation, indigestion, heartburn, gastritis, and eventually to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD), Crohn's disease and more.

Stresses and emotions cause the small intestine and colon to be "twisted or kinked" leading the blockages in the flow of peristalsis. Surrounding fascia creates adhesions that mal-position organs and impede proper blood flow and enzyme secretions. These techniques slowly improve fascial adhesions, scar tissue and remove any "kinks" in the digestive tract. Often there is a dramatic improvement after just one session when combined with proper diet and self-care massage.

What is "Self Care Massage" and why does it help?

Each client is instructed in performing the abdominal massage for themselves. By doing self care massage daily, it provides the individual with agency to affect their own body and symptoms with the support of their practitioner.

Can I receive Maya Abdominal Massage during my Menstrual cycle?

Doing deep work around the uterus is contraindicated during your menstrual cycle. Though you can still receive and benefit from gentler touch around the uterus. Bodywork on the upper belly and back can be done as they would anytime. Some women prefer not to have bodywork while bleeding, so I trust you to know what's best for you!