Traditional Maya Healing

Traditional Healing
The ancient practice of Mayan Traditional Healing has undergone many translations and has survived countless interpretations. I am not a scholar on the subject of Maya culture by any means, but I love and respect the simple traditions that were passed down to me through Dr. Rosita Arvigo who learned from her teacher, one of the last Maya shamans, Don Elijio Panti. The tools that I use in my practice include:

  • A knowledge and reverence of plants and cycles of nature
  • Massage and bodywork
  • An understanding of ch'ulel, or life energy
  • A fusion of the spiritual and physical
  • Humor
  • Prayer
Maya Abdominal Massage
Most Maya traditional Healers incorporate therapeutic, healing touch into their work. Midwives, granny-healers and the H'men (shaman / doctor-priest) use massage in the treatment of both spiritual and physical ailments. One of the main benefits of Maya Abdominal Massage is the circulation of blood, lymph and chi to organs and muscles. This, in turn, improves digestive function and reproductive health. For women seeking fertility enhancement, there is a reputed 30% higher success rate of conception using the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Massage in conjunction with other natural therapies such as acupuncture, dietary and lifestyle changes. (This statistic does not reflect age, health history or other influencing factors). In my practice, I do not reposition organs. I am a licensed massage therapist; therefore I must remain within my scope of practice, provide no false hope and offer no “cure”. My role is to support and educate women about general health and well being while providing the benefits of therapeutic touch… which is very powerful in itself.		  

"Most people think too much, but get them to laugh and half of their trouble and sickness will go away."
Don Elijio Panti


"Speak tenderly to them. Let there be kindness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile, in the warmth of your greeting. Don't only give your care, but give your heart as well."
Mother Theresa


"It is far more important to know what sort of person has a disease than what sort of disease a person has."
Hippocrates

Maya Spiritual Healing

  • The Maya traditional healer recognizes that there are both physical and spiritual causes of illness.
  • Underlying any spiritual illness is the concept of the loss of ch'ulel, or "soul loss."
  • The Maya, along with other ancient cultures, believed that souls can be, "frightened away, wander off or be abducted." (Arvigo / Epstein)

The most common sign of a spiritual illness is the presence of unresolved emotional distress that stems from a serious, traumatic event or long-term emotional stress. Some contemporary causes of soul loss are: loss of a loved one, rape or incest, major illness, surgery, accidents, violence, abuse or witnessing a violent or disturbing incident. Clearly, many people have suffered of spiritual illness in one way or another. The Maya traditional healer uses prayer, incense, plants, water, amulets and ritual to perform a spiritual healing*.

*Those with serious psychological issues are advised to seek professional counseling and/or medical attention. A spiritual healing is not intended to replace necessary mental care.

Mayan Practitioner Oath:

I promise to uphold to the best of my ability the lineage and integrity of my Profession.

First, I will do no harm, offer no false hope and guard against arrogance.

I promise to be just as kind, loving and forgiving to myself as I am to those who seek my aid.

For more information on Traditional Maya Healing read:

  • Sastun: My Apprenticeship with a Maya Healer by Rosita Arvigo
  • Rainforest Home Remedies: The Maya Way to Heal Your Body & Replenish Your Soul by Rosita Arvigo & Nadine Epstein