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"I did not know what a closing the bone ceremony was, or even which culture it came from.

After a miscarriage Tomoko offered to perform this ceremony for me. I graciously said yes please and then promptly Googled what it was. Originating from South America, with Africa and Asian countries performing similar ceremonies, it is a healing process with the purpose of closing cycles, energetic fields and returning heat back to the body. In layman’s terms it is a nurturing ceremony that is usually performed by a women to a another woman who has given birth, in whatever form that takes, and yes that includes miscarrying.

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I know understood what it was for, but what it entailed I still had little clue. However, I love bodywork that includes energetics and quite frankly anything that could nurture me at this time, I was happy to opened my arms to it.

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Tomoko arrived at my house when the house was empty and we talked for possibly an hour about miscarriage and how no-one really talked about what actually happens, especially if one elects for a natural passing at home, as I did. And that includes the doctors, nurses and the internet. It was such a release to be able to talk and be heard by someone who understood; that even though it was a miscarriage, it was a birth within its own right. For the first time I felt that someone had understood that and was able to hold that space for me.

The space, which was my living room was then prepared. Many coloured clothes were laid on the floor, like a carpeted rainbow and I was lay amongst them. This in itself was incredibly relaxing. Tomoko, then began the ceremony, she lite a candle and some incense (proper incense) and played music. She then took over the space and holds you in her heart and in your body. Really holds you. Each coloured cloth is used as sling which allows Tomoko to gently rock each part of the body, bit by bit. Starting with the head, the shoulders, the torso, the arms, each thigh and then each foot.

With each rocking motion the body, especially the pelvis and back gently realign resulting in the releasing of stuck energy, which is often attributed to trauma. This gentle motion also allows the central nervous system to return to a calmer happier and more stable place.

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Integrating the physical motion to the alignment of the body with the freeing of the stuck energy / trauma, I was able to find closure with my birth story.

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Deep transformational journeys like birth (no matter what the outcome) requires someone to lead you back home and Tomoko with her closing the bone ceremony is able to do just that."

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Franchesca