BAJOS
About seven years ago I found out about bajos. The steaming has been popularized in mainstream culture in the more recent years, also known as v-steaming, yoni steaming, or vaginal steaming. It sounds a lot more intense and scary than it is...keep reading. Traditionally of Mayan origin, I was lucky enough to hear an Arvigo practitioner talk all about it. Me being me, I purchased herbs and found a seat I could steam on the next day! Be sure to do your own research. There are better times to steam than others and some contraindications.
Get your own bajos herbs & seat here.
How do I bajos?
1. I boil filtered water (I fill up the pot about 3/4), turn off the boil, and add my dried herbs (about one cup).
2. It steeps for about 20 minutes, just like making a strong tea. Also, I let it steep with the lid off because it is too entirely hot for me.
3. Before I take the pot off of the stove, I hygge. I think that can be used as a verb, right? I light a candle, make some tea, sometimes I'll turn on my salt lamp or grab a book to read. I also turn on some relaxing music and grab at least two towels to wrap myself in.
4. Next step, I carefully set it up - there are really easy seats that are the comfiest I have found.
5. It is easiest when wearing a skirt so I can easily wrap myself in the towels and sit on the steaming pot. I always test it because sometimes it can be really hot! I like it warm and comfortable - nothing about it should be slightly uncomfortable (besides doing something new!).
6. I steam for 20 minutes. Sometimes a little longer if I am praying or in the middle of a good chapter I'm reading.
7. Clean up is easy, I strain out the herbs, throw them away, and wash my pot. I have a designated pot just for bajos'ing that I keep out of the kitchen - haha.
Bajos'ing is that simple. I feel warm to the core and so relaxed afterwards. My goal is to do it 2x/month.
JADE EGGS
Here's something else made popular more recently. I have had a jade egg practice for at least five years. When I learned the truth behind the kegel study and that the exercises actually worked not just from the pelvic floor contraction, but because there was something to contract against, it suddenly made so much sense. The pelvic floor is only one part of the core and the core is fundamental in all of our daily movements and posture. There is so much normalization of incontinence and jade eggs may help - they are at least worth considering (always check with your doctor, this is not medical advice). I did a series of classes, which I highly recommend. Correct training in how to use a jade egg is essential. There is much more to using the jade egg besides just the physical, biomechanical aspect. The class describes mental/emotional healing that may accompany use of the jade egg as well; this is a multi-dimensional tool. Also, jade eggs have been recommended by Dr. Christiane Northrup! Oh, and yes, the picture is a little racy, but if you can get past that (it has to get attention!), there is so much information in her salon!
OTHER STUFF
Did you ever consider having a holistic birth? That's actually a loaded question that means something different to everyone...which I didn't realize until I was introduced to freebirthing. There is a whole course (salon) on how birth and pregnancies can be full of bliss, how the birthing process is ancient wisdom, and so much more. I wish this was the paradigm of how pregnancy and birth were presented in our culture.
There are a few other courses that are worth checking out on Kim's page, along with a podcast!
I hope you learned something new and try out one of the courses! I want to make this information more main stream, so please feel free to share and as always, #getsatiated.
