What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is an incredibly rich ancient wisdom tradition for wellness that creates optimal harmony and balance in mind, body, and spirit. Often referred to as the sister science to yoga, Ayurveda achieves longevity and vitality through an intentional and conscious diet and lifestyle, as well as through the cultivation of a healthy relationship to nature. Ayurveda sees that the elements that compose the natural world are also intricately at play within us and instrumental in guiding us toward our fullest expression of wellness. More specifically, Ayurvedic Postpartum care works to nourish and support a new mother’s and baby’s needs through special diet, lifestyle and care practices that are tailored to this specific time.
———————————————————
Every new mother is a beautiful rose, radiant, full of life, and overflowing with love…
———————————————————
The Sacred Window
According to Ayurveda, the first 6 weeks after giving birth, are a time of upmost transformation for a new mother. Ayurvedic Doulas call this time the Sacred Window. During this window, mama is so vulnerable from the birthing experience, from the miracle of seeing baby, and the incredible wave into motherhood, that every amount of care and love mama receives is truly amplified and profoundly impactful on the mother and the baby on the deepest of levels. It is from the depth of this support, that mama and baby build their foundation to thrive in this world. Ayurveda offers an incredible approach to support and nourish mama and baby during the postpartum window. As an Ayurvedic Doula, it is my wholehearted intention to support mothers and families during this postpartum time in order to ensure mama and baby get the complete rest, nourishment, and loving care they need in order to thrive.
When mama is able to rest, receive deep nourishment through foods and loving relationships, as well as feel safe and comfortable in a peaceful environment, mama is in the very best position to focus on baby and providing everything baby needs. In addition, when mama is cared for in this way, knowing she has the support she needs to care for baby, then mama will have the space within to process and integrate her journey. Such inward connection further nourishes mama’s wellbeing and brings empowerment as mama begins a new life as the primary support to baby.
My role as an Ayurvedic Doula is to use Ayurvedic Postpartum practices to support a new mother and her family in preparation for the postpartum time as well as support them during the postpartum time, especially their first six weeks. There is a saying that it takes a village to raise a child. During the preparation phase, I work with families to discuss the ways that that they can include their personal support network during those 6 weeks in a balanced and uplifting way. I believe this can be an essential part of a postpartum plan, ensuring mama has ample support. In addition, I take the opportunity to educate parents about wonderful Ayurvedic body and self-care practices that they can incorporate into their daily routines pre- and post- birth. These include Ayurvedic postpartum cooking, Ayurvedic baby massage, abhyanga or self-massage, belly-wrapping, and postpartum herbal support.
During the postpartum time, I come in-person on scheduled days to care for mama + baby. In the home, I focus on providing high-quality Ayurvedic care. Some of these special offerings include cooking fresh, delicious, and wholesome Ayurvedic 4-course meals, making Ayurvedic herbal teas and nutritive snacks, as well as preparing mama’s space for oil massage and herbal baths. Each of the three care packages I have crafted are also abundant in beauty to uplift the mind and spirit. Every week of care mama signs up for, mama receives a divine flower bouquet and on week 6 mama receives a Sacred Ceremonial Bath.
The Sacred Window is truly a time for deep compassionate bonding between mama and baby. To experience whole-hearted contentment during the postpartum time imparts strength, courage, and resilience in motherhood and selfhood beyond what we could ever imagine.