Mayan Abdominal Therapeutic Treatment
Mayan Abdominal Therapeutic Treatment, or La Tallada Maya Y Tipté as described in Spanish/Maya by my teachers, is a traditional Maya healing therapy that combines manual pressure with energetic and spiritual elements. This method is rooted in the ancient Maya’s holistic approach to health and involves the use of medicinal plants, oils, and specific techniques to release physical tension and address emotional or spiritual imbalances. The goal of the Tallada Maya is not only to alleviate physical discomfort but also to promote overall well-being by aligning the body’s energy, restoring balance, and coming back to center. This practice emphasizes the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit and their alignment with nature and the elements, reflecting the Maya’s holistic view of health and healing.
The Tradition
In the traditional practice of Mayan abdominal therapy, and in Maya culture in general, "Tipté" refers to the concept of the body’s central energy or vital pulse that beats in all of us; it is different from the heartbeat and not as easy to find without knowing how to look for it. It's associated with the core area where the abdominal organs are located and tends to move off-center when dis-ease (physical or energetic imbalance) is present in the body. Mayan abdominal therapy emphasizes identifying and stabilizing the Tipté as a guide to restore balance and health by using different techniques to move it back to the "tuch", which is the umbilicus, or navel center, and the place from which life in the body begins.
During these treatments, various techniques, including manual pressure, energetic and spiritual elements, and other therapeutic methods, might be used to align and stabilize the Tipté. This process supports overall well-being by harmonizing the body’s energy flow and addressing any disruptions in the core area.
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The Tipté is considered crucial in maintaining the body's equilibrium, and ensuring its proper alignment is seen as essential for both physical and emotional health in Mayan traditional medicine.
Mayan abdominal therapeutic treatments can help gently restore the uterus to its correct position (and YES there are correct and incorrect positions that significantly affect overall health and well-being), as well as restore other abdominal organs to correct position, which affects digestion, nutrition absorption, menstrual flow and cramping, arterial blood flow, venous return, lymphatic drainage, etc. There are many mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits as well, such as mental clarity, an increased sense of well-being, connection to intuition, deepening in relationship to your body promoting self-acceptance and love, heightened creativity, stability, and the list goes on.
One of the best times to receive this work is for general self-care maintenance when there are no major problems present. And while prevention is always the best medicine, it is never too late to tend to something that has been impacting you.
Some conditions this work can be very beneficial for are:
- Digestive issues
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Varicose veins
- Painful, heavy, or irregular periods
- Infertility
- Postpartum recovery
- Prolapsed uterus
- Tilted uterus
- Pregnancy loss
- Menopause imbalances
- Benign prostate enlargement in men
- Stress
- Feeling off center/not quite right
- Creative blocks
This therapeutic technique is contraindicated during menstruation and pregnancy, with IUD contraceptive, and when the body is frail due to illness or injury.
My Approach
In honor of my teachers and all the wisdom keepers who have come before, I am finding my own way to integrate what I’ve learned and offer this beautiful Maya therapy in the way it naturally expresses through me while always honoring the roots from where it comes. My experience of offering this therapy is literally a dance with the animal and elemental spirits and nature herself, and I have a lot of awe and reverence for the magic that carrying this wisdom has brought into my life. I hope this magic is felt by those who receive from me.
Sometimes I share other relaxing, nurturing, warming offerings in addition to this work such as moxabustion on the belly, cupping with fire/heat, or castor oil packs. I also love to share the medicine of song, drum and other instruments when it feels aligned.
My main teachers in this work so far are José Feliciano Ake Kinil and Shelley Torgove.
Jose is a third-generation Maya healer who has made it his life's work to follow the rich traditions of the medicine people in his lineage. His first language is Maya. He has been collecting medicinal plants in the jungle with his mother and grandfather, preparing traditional remedies, and assisting them in their healing work since the age of eight. He is the son of Daniel Pool Pech, and he still learns from his father in the dream world. Receiving a Tallada Maya from José feels like you are receiving a (very incredible yet gentle) massage with 4+ hands. He uses song, prayer, ceremony, and his drum to call in the healing spirits of his lineage that work directly with him and through him.
Shelley Torgove is a clinical herbalist and leader of the grass-roots Western Herbal Medicine movement in Denver, an international teacher, and a nationally recognized botanical medicine practitioner with over 25 years of experience, specializing in bio-regional herbal medicine and women's health. She was one of the first students trained in Maya Abdominal therapy by Dr. Rosita Arvigo, Hortense Robinson, and Beatrice Waight in Belize. Most importantly, she spent 10 years working side by side with one of the Yucatan's most beloved traditional healers, and José's father, Daniel Pool Pech. Shelley has been teacher of mine for around 8 years and has been in the periphery of my life since I was a small child.
la tallada maya
This is your time to relax and gently come back to your center. Treat yourself and receive nourishment and care; return to the seat of your most powerful creative radiance. Honoring and caring for the body, mind, and spirit in this way can support optimal overall health and vitality from the inside out!
medicinal herbs
Many cultures around the world medicinal herbs to help move stagnant or undesired energies and to bring the support of desired energies. Besides being cleansing, they also just feel nourishing, rejuvenating, and so good when used in intentional therapeutic ways. In Maya culture, medicinal herbs play an essential role in traditional healing practices and are deeply intertwined with spiritual and cultural beliefs. The ancient Maya utilized a vast array of native plants to address various health concerns and maintain balance within the body. Herbs were not only valued for their medicinal properties but also held sacred significance. I often use herbs native to wherever I am at, which supports deepening in sacred connection with the land holding us during this treatment.
**Some of these elements will be determined based on the nature of your specific wants and needs**
What are some elements of the Maya abdominal therapeutic treatment I offer?
drum, music, prayer
The rhythm and beat of drums have a profound effect on the nervous system, offering a unique way to regulate and stabilize emotional and physical states. The consistent patterns and beats of the drum can create a sense of predictability and order, which helps to soothe the nervous system. This rhythmic stimulation encourages the release of neurotransmitters that promote relaxation and reduce stress. The repetitive nature of drumming also mirrors the natural rhythms of our body, such as heartbeat and breathing patterns, fostering a deep sense of connection and grounding. As the drum's rhythm envelops us, it can lead to a meditative state, lowering heart rate and cortisol levels, and ultimately providing a calming effect that helps to settle and balance the nervous system. The act of singing introduces additional layers of vibration and resonance, harmonizing with the drum's beat and creating a richer, more immersive experience. Often times I feel like I am marching as a peaceful warrior surrounded by the ancestors when I am sharing the medicine of the drum.
castor oil packs
Castor oil eases joint and muscle pain through its potent anti-inflammatory properties, primarily attributed to ricinoleic acid. When applied topically, castor oil penetrates the skin and helps reduce inflammation. It is often acknowledged for its detoxifying properties, primarily through its use in castor oil packs. When applied to the skin and covered with a warm cloth, castor oil enhances lymphatic circulation and promotes the elimination of toxins from the body. The heat from the cloth helps to increase blood flow, which supports the liver and lymphatic system in processing and expelling waste.
cupping
Cupping therapy, an ancient practice involving the placement of heated cups on the skin to create suction, offers a range of benefits by improving blood flow and promoting the body's natural healing processes. This therapy helps alleviate muscle tension, reduce pain, and enhance circulation, which can accelerate the recovery of injured or sore muscles. Cupping is also believed to assist in detoxification by drawing out toxins from the body and can aid in reducing inflammation. Additionally, it may enhance relaxation and improve overall well-being by stimulating the flow of qi (energy) in traditional Chinese medicine, making it a versatile tool for both physical and emotional health.
moxabustion
Moxibustion, a traditional Chinese medicine technique involving the burning of mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) near the skin, offers several benefits when applied to the stomach. This practice helps stimulate the body's energy flow (qi) and enhance circulation, which can aid in digestive health by relieving bloating, gas, and abdominal pain. The heat from moxibustion promotes relaxation of the abdominal muscles, improving overall comfort and aiding in the alleviation of menstrual cramps and other pelvic discomforts. Additionally, moxibustion supports the balance of the digestive system and boosts overall vitality by addressing energy imbalances and fostering a sense of well-being.
Logistical Details
The session will be 90 minutes.
After booking, I will send clothing and preparation suggestions along with forms to fill out and sign.
All herbs and oils used are either wild harvested or organic.
Please feel free to email me with questions about the Tallada Maya treatment, as well as cupping, moxabustion, or castor oil and how they might contribute to your overall experience.
I am currently based in Denver, Colorado and fairly regularly visit Taos, NM, the Bay area and Shasta/Ashland area in CA, and New Orleans, LA. I travel fairly often and am willing to consider traveling reasonable distances from wherever I am at to share this work. I also know trusted practitioners around the world. Please reach out with any questions!
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Pricing: $120 for one 90 minute session, $432 for four sessions
Bonus: I will teach you some safe and gentle self care techniques you can do on your own to maximize the benefits of this therapeutic treatment.
**One session will feel revitalizing on its own, and it will take more than one session to produce lasting relief from the issues listed above**