Perhaps we share stories in much the same spirit that explorers share maps, hoping to speed each others journey, but knowing the journey we make will be our own. Gloria Steinem on motherhood
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MATERNITY CARE AND TRADITIONAL EASTERN VIEW
Chinese and Japanese cultures consider their families extremely important. Family is a source of continuous blood stream (sort of equivalency to the continuous flow of Chi). The continuous family blood stream guarantees continuity of the life to the whole nation.
Consequently, bearing and rising of children is considered as an essential moral duty of every responsible individual, and it may become a central focal point of developed family life. When a wife is found to be pregnant, people will say she "has the happiness". Throughout the whole pregnancy, both she and the fetus will be sheltered, so that the new generation will be born both physically and mentally in good physical shape.
Tai Kyo or "embryo education" is considered to be a way of keeping both, mother and fetus, in a good health. Tai Kyo includes nutritional food, traditional herbal medicine, avoidance of loud sounds (listening to the pleasant ones, however, along with gentle movements, encourages better fetal positioning) and receiving frequent massages (Shiatsu or Anma). Mothers are encouraged to talk or sing to their babies, rock the bellies and gently massage them.
Traditionally, there is a belief in Traditional Chinese Medicine that our womb experience can significantly influences our later adult life. A number of therapies such as Arthur Janov's primal therapy, holographic re-pattering by Stanislav and Kristina Grof as well as research in the field of prenatal psychology by quite a few authors such as Thomas Verny (The life of the Unborn Child) and David Chamberlain validate traditional Eastern view. We do carry in our bodies deep and hardly accessible memories of our life in the womb that may be reflected through our life choices- chemical dependencies and violence may be some of them. Also, newborns show more capabilities that we are willing to attribute them with: they see, hear, remember and even partially understand the world around them.
Once when the baby is born, the mother is usually required to "zuoyuezi" or stay in bed for at least a month in order to recover from the fatigue. In this month, she is advised to stay at home as much as she can. Cold, wind, dirty environment, and inclination to tiredness exert bad effect on her health, and thus her later life as mother. Secluded existence will promote bonding, help mother to recover and baby to make easier transition to our "Earthly Plane". "Zuoyezi" balances postpartum depression.
How different old ways were from what are mothers experiencing in their pregnancies when they are working full-time, traveling to jobs in crowded vehicles, and being exposed to daily environmental, physical or intellectual stresses (a wonderful book about variety of maternal experiences in different cultures is Sheila Kitzinger's Ourselves as Mothers).
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PREGNANCY SHIATSU FOR EXPECTING COUPLES
Pregnancy Shiatsu for Expecting Couples emphasizes the father or partner's involvement during the pregnancy and labour. It has been designed for second and third trimester pregnancies. It may complement a childbirth class but it is not in itself a childbirth class. The process of learning is natural, gentle and rapid and it does not require extensive knowledge, preparation or specialized skills. Information will be delivered in a safe and supportive environment. It is an opportunity for the birth partner to learn to support the mother. You will learn about how Traditional Chinese Medicine views the body and conception, about breathing, relaxation, shiatsu and massage. You can have time for the partner to explore how they feel about their role during birth and their relationship with the baby.
What to Expect
The length of the workshop is approximately four hours.
The expectant mother may involve the father as a birth partner but also any other person (relative or friend) who she feels may act as a supportive participant.
Most of the workshop is hands-on and performed mostly on the floor with plenty of pillows. Participants are fully clothed. No oils are used.
The benefits of shiatsu massage to the pregnant woman and her partner are (as outlined by Susan Yates in Shiatsu for Midwives, 2003):
• She is more likely to tune into her pregnancy – and therefore look after herself, pace herself, prepare for labour
• She can better deal with the ‘complaints’ of pregnancy, both major and minor
• She is more in touch with the baby and more able to trust in birth – that she can do it
• It helps the mother to cope with pain and promotes an easier postnatal recovery
• She is more likely to have a normal labour
• It can promote a positive relationship with her partner, who can be more involved in the pregnancy, labour and postnatal period and as well as a long-term health
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Location: Vidya Institute, Bloor and Christie, Toronto
Days and Times: Four hours in total (two Saturday mornings 10am -2 pm or two Thursdays nights 6-8pm)
Please e-mail or call us ( 416-878-5392 ) to find out more. Home visits available, two bookings per visit minimum.
Fee: $100.00/couple (GST included)
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HEALTHY MOM, HEALTHY FAMILY
Maternity care is a found to be a corner stone of the family health. Modern research shows that the level of the family health really depends on the female figure, often mother, who is making decisions about food choices, balances vitamins and supplements intake (if any), and also determines the course of action for resolving minor health issues.
Generally speaking, maternity care should start with the preconception care, to be followed by the pregnancy, postpartum and eventually all the years in woman's life until the youngest child in the family reaches the age of seven. In the Traditional Chinese Medicine’s view on motherhood it has been said that, “to replenish her Kidney Chi after the birth of one child” the mother will needs up to seven years. It is why a more liberate spacing in between children is very often recommended.
Also, in all traditions women were usually caregivers and hands on practitioners that have learned and practiced the art of herbal medicine and manual treatments. Since the Middle Ages, when Hildegard von Bingen became famous for her Physica (which detailed the medicinal properties of plants), women continued to be the primary care providers and decision makers in the family. Maternity care, therefore, is the care for the mother but also an educational process where the mother can learn not only about different practices but also about simple, natural, and non- invasive ways of promoting the general wellness of the family.
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BABY SHIATSU
Baby Shiatsu explores the relationship between mothers and babies during the so-called fourth trimester and beyond. It clarifies the mother-baby relationship in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and offers some possible solutions to common problems such as mastitis, breastfeeding difficulties and postpartum depression.
Basic Baby Shiatsu will be demonstrated.
Highlights:
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What is Shiatsu and Traditional Chinese Medicine (Meridians, Five Elements and how they influence the child, Baby's Chinese Signs)
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How Meridians develop in the unborn; the mother as a child's immune system (as seen from the viewpoint of Traditional Chinese Medicine)
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Type of touch (holding vs. pressing); Mother hand and Working hand; useful acupressure points for particular conditions
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The participants are fully clothed. No oils are used.
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The session will be broken into two smaller segments to accommodate the need for movement.
Breastfeeding is encouraged. Manual (a couple of pages guide) and Certificate of Attendance will be provided.
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Location, Fees: Coming soon...
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