Womblifting
Some of you may already be familiar with women’s health concerns and the relationship with the alignment of the uterus. I hadn’t ever heard about this until my studies brought me to my Thai massage school in Chiang Mai, Thailand where I studied in 2015 and 2017. I still have not received this treatment, but over the months that I was there, I witnessed students before, during and after receiving the treatment. I have never observed traditional medicine in this form before. I believe at the very heart center of this work is a complete melding of mind, body and spirit and that is what makes it special and transforming. The earth, wind, water and fire are all present and at work in this practice, as well, which almost makes this treatment feel like a ceremony.
In my teacher’s own words (Homprang Chaleekanha) and how she describes her work on her website, “Womblifting as an ancient Thai healing art that involves hot clay pots packed with sea salt and tightly wrapped with green medicinal leaves when the salt starts to pop from the heat. Used as a giant compress, the process also involves the activation of special acupressure points, and the uterus is manipulated directly with the hands on the abdomen. The procedure is used both for post-natal health and for fertility problems, but most of all for overall feminine health and well-being. Womblifting is one of my Thai massage teacher’s special interests, and women come from all over Thailand and abroad for treatments as well as for training. Similar techniques are taught for prostate problems in men, who can also join the class, as both sexes can benefit in many ways from abdominal massage.”
Imagine a 3-5 hour treatment, period. The womblifting treatment is a 3-5 hour session. It is not necessary to fast beforehand, but it may be a beneficial if one chooses to do so. Because there is deep massage to the abdominal surface, it would be unpleasant to have eaten before the session.
I observed students after receiving this treatment processing the effects for days sometimes up to a full week after the session. My teacher shared that it is common to cry or even act out in anger after a session, though only with some people. Some people have a very blissful experience of just feeling comforted and one with the world. I remember someone saying they felt both happy and sad, all at once, simultaneously. Most people seeking to receive this treatment do have a women’s health concern to address, like endometriosis, debilitating or irregular periods, hormonal issues, fertility problems, and postpartum.
One woman hadn’t ever gone through puberty and after receiving the treatment her hormones were triggered and her femininity surfaced for the first time in her life. Usually, only one session is needed with a follow up session, if possible.
My teacher makes a point to communicate that not everyone needs this treatment. There is so much effort on the practioner’s part, hours of preparing the herbs, 3-5 hours of bodywork, and then clean up and decompressing. For this reason, I chose not to receive the womblifitng session yet, but soon I will be traveling back to my school this January, for the sole purpose of taking this course. I am excited to attend the class with students from around the world including Brazil, Czech Republic, Holland, France, Canada and the US, many of whom are midwives and doulas. There are many reasons I am beyond excited to be going back to my school and take this class.
I am not certain if I will be able to offer the womblifting treatments here or not, mainly because of the fire element and gathering the thai herbs. I think if I can find the herbs, I will be able to offer the treatment in your home. But regardless of being able to offer womblifting treatments here in Telluride, I know I will learn a lot that I will continue to integrate into my therapeutic massage treatments.
Normally, I would be writing this article after having taken the class, but since I am switching it up, this gives you opportunity to email me any questions you have about womblifting. I can take your questions with me to my class and then write a follow up article about my experience with my teacher’s response to your inquiries.
For further information, please contact Ambrosia Brown at Telluride Wellness Center at 435-260-1122, ambrosiabrown@gmail.com. Ambrosia still hopes to have a travel blog on her website up soon, as well, highlighting her recent trip to Baja and info on past off season trips. We are located in the Cimarron Lodge at the bottom of Lift 7, next to Carhenge Parking Lot. Wellness is the full integration of mind, body and spirit. We look forward to helping you towards a healthier life.