The womb is our Root. It is the seat of our creativity and power. It is the portal through which life and creativity flows and it is a gateway for our deepest knowing.
Despite the innate, knowledge and wisdom she holds for each of us, many of us (even those of us who may have conceived and had children) can still remain disconnected from our womb.
Maybe, we only think of our wombs in relation to our monthly cycles, which through patriarchal conditioning, is often treated as an inconvenient burden, the unwanted visitor that brings with it shame, pains, cramps, mood swings and cravings. Maybe we come to think of the womb again if /when trying to conceive or already pregnant, as the home to our babies. We underestimate how integral our womb health is to our overall wellbeing, balance, healing and vitality through all stages of our lives.
Within the chakra system, the womb sits between the root and sacral chakras which mean it is connected to the elements of earth and water. This is the balance between grounded energy and flowing energy – the perfect recipe for new life and creativity. If there are blockages (stagnation) in this area, physically or energetically, maybe caused by previous toxic partners, internalised shame, abuse, trauma, suppressed resentment etc., over time it can show up in the form of physical dis-ease, or in the outer expressions of toxicity or dysfunction in other areas of our lives.
“Womb steaming has been spoken about as a new ‘trend’ in women’s wellness spaces an conversations, but it is an ancient ritual practiced by women in indigenous cultures throughout the world, from South America to Africa.“
In supporting women on their Conscious Conception Journey, or generally to more vitality, the first thing I encourage women to do is to get in tune with their wombs. To honour her wisdom, to make space for that innate guidance that lies within. Some ways I invite women to do this is through guided visualisation or journalling. There are beautiful movement sequences that I drawn on from womb yoga therapy that also help us to tune in to the womb and her qualities. Just paying attention to our natural cycle and rhythms and the ways we feel as a result is also a good place to start coming into a more subtle daily awareness and reverence. I invite women to acknowledge any blockages or resistance that may come up – emotionally, physically or spiritually. Another practice that brings us into this natural alignment and harmony with the womb is a herbal womb steam – also called a yoni or vaginal steam.
Womb steaming has been spoken about as a new ‘trend’ in women’s wellness spaces an conversations, but it is an ancient ritual practiced by women in indigenous cultures throughout the world, from South America to Africa. I first started steaming for my own conscious conception journey, and then again specifically as part of my Postpartum Recovery and Healing. It’s a beautiful thing to add into a self care or spiritual practice however – (unless you are or could be pregnant!, or have in a coil or IUD.) I can personally testify to the benefits of steaming as a direct and powerful way to connect with and realign the womb. I tend to do it in the evening with candles, meditation music and incense and it never fails to leave me feeling grounded, guided and deeply relaxed.
One woman working hard to scientifically prove the benefits of vagina steam therapy and has used it in her practice to treat everything from missing periods to pelvic prolapse is Keli Garza, founder of Steamychick (US) which stock steaming stools and herbal blends to steam with and also provide support for protocols. There is also UK distributors including MamaLuna, but if you can’t wait and are curious to try, here’s my personal DIY home version.
Home Womb Steam
- Steep your choice of healing herbs in boiling water. (Different herbs have different benefits and is good to choose according to your intention, research and intuition. (My personal favourites at the moment include Lavender, Red Rose Petals and Rosemary.
- Pour infusion into a large glass bowl. (never use plastic)
- Place bowl into a large ceramic (not plastic) plant pot that the bowl can sit in the bottom of.
- Use a children’s toilet seat adaptor, or some wood with a hole cut into it that fits the circumference of the pot.
- Undress from the waist down but make sure your feet are covered with thick socks or slippers.
- Test the temperature of the steam to make sure its comfortable.
- Wrap yourself in blankets to keep the steam in and the body warm.
- Close your eyes, breathe slowly and deeply, rest and relaaaax.
- Sit down for up to 20 minutes or until the steam is cool.
- Can be nice to have a journal beside you for any inspiration that comes through or listen to a guided womb meditation during this time.
- Ideally, it’s great to do this before bed so you can go to sleep straight after.
I’d love to know if you try this, and how it makes you feel. However you do it, making space for and coming into alignment with our womb and cycles is healing medicine and our birthright as women. Lets claim it.
If you would like some support on you own womb wellness journey generally or with the intention to consciously conceive or heal after birth, you can also book a free call with me here.
If haven’t already, you might also be interested in reading Makeba Celeste’s guest blog on How honouring her cycle revolutionised her life.
Much Love
Nehanda xx
Nehanda Truscott Reid is a Holistic Wellness Coach, mother, writer, speaker and Host of The Soul Mama Podcast. She’s passionate about all the ways women can heal, awaken, and thrive through the sacred path of Conscious Motherhood.
Follow me on Instagram @soulmamacoach