| Stress is talked about a lot in the media and | | | | energy to reverse direction. This may cause or |
| seems to be the cause of almost every disease | | | | aggravate any or all of the following: (IBS) Irritable |
| imaginable. The most common symptoms of | | | | Bowel Syndrome, Colitis, Ulcers, Constipation, |
| stress, according to the American psychological | | | | Diarrhea, (GERD) Gastro- Esophageal Reflux |
| Association, are: | | | | Disease, Leaky Gut Syndrome, Uterine Prolapse, |
| - Emotional distress--some combination of anger | | | | Indigestion, as well as many other chronic |
| or irritability, anxiety, and depression, the three | | | | diseases and disorders. |
| stress emotions; | | | | According to Dr. Rosita Arvigo, individuals with |
| - Muscular problems including tension headache, | | | | digestive disorders benefit greatly from Maya |
| back pain, jaw pain, and the muscular tensions | | | | Abdominal Massage. Many of our common |
| that lead to pulled muscles and tendon and | | | | disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, |
| ligament problems; | | | | Indigestion, Constipation, and heartburn are usually |
| - Stomach, gut and bowel problems such as | | | | treated with antacids, muscle relaxants, and a |
| heartburn, acidic stomach, flatulence, diarrhea, | | | | variety of other medications. These treatments |
| constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome; | | | | address symptoms, not the causes. By using the |
| - Transient over arousal leads to elevation in blood | | | | techniques of Maya Abdominal Massage, the |
| pressure, rapid heartbeat, sweaty palms, heart | | | | upper abdomen is also given a deep, thorough |
| palpitations, dizziness, migraine headaches, cold | | | | massage to loosen the tight muscles around the |
| hands or feet, shortness of breath, and chest | | | | stomach and the arteries that feed the digestive |
| pain. | | | | and eliminative organs with their vital blood supply. |
| Acute stress can crop up in anyone's life, and it is | | | | The diaphragm is gently massaged allowing |
| highly treatable and manageable. | | | | relaxation of tight musculature. Maya Abdominal |
| There are many common remedies for stress. | | | | Massage helps to break down fascial adhesions, |
| Among them are meditation, yoga, gardening, | | | | scar tissue and removes any "kinks" in the |
| deep breathing, and exercise, and of course | | | | digestive tract. Often there is a dramatic |
| various types of psychotherapy and medications. | | | | improvement after just one session when |
| We know how we feel when we are under | | | | combined with proper diet and self-care |
| stress, but we don't always understand why or | | | | According to Chinese medicine, the downward |
| how this is happening. Here is a short explanation | | | | movement of the Maya Abdominal Massage helps |
| according to the Traditional Chinese Medical model | | | | keep the stomach energy flowing downward. This |
| contrasting it with Traditional Maya Healing model. | | | | ensures proper digestion and elimination. It also |
| Let's start with the basis of everything that | | | | works to unblock any possible stagnation of Liver |
| exists, Energy or Qi. | | | | Qi which is very common just below the ribs; this |
| What is Qi? | | | | ensures the smooth flow of blood, Qi, and fluids |
| Qi is universal energy we connect with from our | | | | through the abdominal cavity. |
| surroundings, also called source or God energy. | | | | Working on the belly in a clockwise motion keeps |
| This energy flows within us, around us and | | | | the central pivot flowing ensuring the flow of |
| through us. We are this energy vibrating so fast | | | | Spleen and stomach Qi. Qi does not flow through |
| that we appear to be a solid form of matter. | | | | scar tissue. By breaking up old scar tissue this |
| Abdominal, Uterine and Prostate health is | | | | allows Qi to flow again where it was once blocked |
| dependant on the smooth flow of Qi, Blood and | | | | and stagnant. |
| fluids through the body/mind complex | | | | The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal |
| This Qi flows in vessels or channels called | | | | Massage® are centered around the ancient |
| meridians, according to Chinese Medicine. | | | | Mayan techniques, which reposition organs that |
| There are 8 meridian/ organ complexes directly | | | | have dropped and restricted the flow of blood, |
| responsible for this balance. When in balance, all | | | | lymph, and nerve and chi energy. As with any |
| the systems in the body are working optimally. | | | | other natural healing, the Arvigo Techniques seek |
| The meridian system runs contiguously with the | | | | to restore the body to its natural balance. This |
| nervous system, endocrine system, vascular | | | | technique aims to relieve obstruction to the flow |
| system and circulatory system. This cycle runs | | | | of Qi, blood and lymph. |
| through all the meridians in a cycle called the | | | | Maya Abdominal Massage can help redirect this |
| nutrient cycle; spending approximately 2 hours in | | | | energy back to its healthy direction and move |
| each organ complex through the day and night. | | | | stagnation so the Qi flows freely through the |
| When the body is in perfect health this energy | | | | abdomen creating health and balance. |
| runs smoothly creating balance in all the physical | | | | Gentle Self Healing Massage to move Qi in the |
| organs. | | | | Abdomen |
| All movement of energy through the abdomen is | | | | Find a massage oil or crème you like and |
| dependant on the liver, spleen, stomach.o The | | | | apply a little to your upper abdomen. |
| Liver is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi, | | | | Begin by making large circular movements starting |
| blood and fluids. It works to course the energy | | | | just below the ribs working your way down the |
| through the meridians and the blood through the | | | | left side across the lower abdomen and then up |
| arteries and veins. It is also responsible for the | | | | the right side; repeat 5 or 6 times. You may hear |
| smooth and regular flow of menstrual blood.o The | | | | some movement. |
| Spleen is responsible for making blood. Its energy | | | | Now begin making smaller circles just above the |
| is upward moving, which keeps the organs in their | | | | navel in a clockwise direction, left, down, right, up. |
| place. This includes the uterus and prostate. It is | | | | Do this 5 or 6 times.This will activate the central |
| directly related to uterine and bladder prolapses.o | | | | pivot we talked about earlier. |
| The Stomach moves the energy down. This helps | | | | Place your hands over your belly and say out loud |
| with the digestion and elimination of food. It works | | | | the following: |
| with the spleen to form the Central Pivot, a | | | | "Thank you so much for taking such good care of |
| clockwise moving energy system that keeps the | | | | me all these years." |
| energy flowing in its correct direction. The central | | | | "You are so beautiful, and I love you." |
| pivot is also called the Solar Plexus according to | | | | This helps raise the vibration in the abdomen, |
| Ayurvedic medicine. | | | | allowing for better flow of Qi. |
| In a state of balance you don't realize any of this | | | | Try this for a couple of weeks and see if your |
| is happening, digestion is good and thoughts are | | | | abdominal discomfort is better and your stress |
| clear. You are able to breathe deeply and bowels | | | | has dissipated.. |
| are regular. The Energy System in Oriental | | | | Breathing Exercise to Move Qi in the Abdomen:o |
| Medicine may seem complicated yet it is truly | | | | Place both your hands over your lower abdomen, |
| holistic, each area of the body is interrelated in a | | | | approximately 2 inches below the navelo Now |
| delicate weave that makes up the intricacies of | | | | Breathe deeplyo Watch and feel your hands |
| its divine wisdom. | | | | move up and down with each inhalation and |
| Now let's add stress to this picture. | | | | exhalation. |
| Stress is a very powerful culprit. In western | | | | Notice if you feel any more relaxed or if any |
| medicine they have connected how stress can | | | | thoughts come to mindo Do this at least 10 times |
| impair our immunity, effect our adrenals causing | | | | to move and circulate your Qio As this gets |
| people to go into fight or flight mode and in | | | | easier put a light book on your belly, 2 inches |
| extreme cases even post traumatic stress | | | | below the navel |
| disorder. | | | | The benefits of this exercise are:o Increased lung |
| According to Dr. Rosita Arvigo, teacher of Maya | | | | capacity.o Better digestiono The ability to relax |
| Traditional Healing and Maya Abdominal Massage, | | | | quickly during a stressful situation |
| many anxieties and emotions through life are | | | | *Excerpts by Dr. Rosita Arvigo are taken from |
| stored in our body's tissues and organs. A very | | | | her website; |
| common place is in the organs of the digestive | | | | The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal |
| system. Those so called "butterflies in your | | | | Massage TM are founded on the ancient Mayan |
| stomach" can lead to constipation, indigestion, | | | | technique of abdominal massage which is an |
| heartburn, gastritis, and eventually to Irritable | | | | external non invasive manipulation that repositions |
| Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Gastro-Esophageal Reflux | | | | internal organs that have shifted, thereby |
| (GERD), Crohn's disease and more. | | | | restricting the flow of blood, lymph, nerve and chi. |
| Stresses and emotions cause the small intestine | | | | Based on over thirty years of training and |
| and colon to be "twisted or kinked" leading the | | | | experience in massage, naprapathy, herbology, |
| blockages in the flow of peristalsis. Surrounding | | | | and spiritual healing, Dr. Rosita Arvigo developed |
| fascia creates adhesions that mal- position organs | | | | these techniques which now bear her name. This |
| and impede proper blood flow and enzyme | | | | modality incorporates a holistic approach to health |
| secretions. | | | | care which includes massage, anatomy and |
| According to Chinese medicine, because emotions | | | | physiology, herbology, nutrition, and emotional and |
| are energy, they overwhelm the Liver, causing | | | | spiritual healing. Dr. Arvigo believes that with any |
| stagnation of Liver Qi in the lower rib, upper | | | | natural healing technique, these areas must be |
| abdomen area. Stagnation of Liver Qi over a | | | | simultaneously addressed to promote optimal |
| period of time will cause the Spleen and Stomach | | | | health. |