Ever seen a woman give birth? Pretty amazing stuff, isn't it? But have you ever seen a woman who isn't pregnant give birth? Yesterday I witnessed a "rebirthing" session, something I wouldn't have believed possible if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes. The ICSM website explains rebirthing thusly:
Rebirthing is a healing process using a simple, relaxing, gentle breathing rhythm. The process aids in dissolving physical tensions and emotional traumas and restores the power of the breath to revitalise and energise the mind, body and spirit.
What is the purpose of Rebirthing?
* To use breathing for deeper exploration of our essence.
* To increase our self love and love of others so our lives work for us
* To reach our fullest potential by unifying body, mind and spirit.
* To increase our experience of physical mental and emotional well being.
The person lies down in a comfortable position and is coached and guided in rhythmic breathing in which the inhale is connected to the exhale without a pause. An average session lasts about an hour and a half, and during the session you may experience physical as well as emotional releases. (From http://www.womenofspirit.asn.au/ProgramsBreathwork.htm)
Our class had the honour of watching our fellow student give birth in the room with us. The only thing is that she wasn't pregnant and there was no baby born, but she was very much giving birth! It sounds outrageous to those of us who have grown up in Western patriarchy, who believe in what we can see and don't see birth as much more than the physical removal of a baby from a body. But having seen it first hand I can tell you it is real and it is amazing. Witnessing another woman rebirth her child (and herself!) really affirmed for me that birth is so much more than just a physical act. The truth is that birth is extremely spiritual and emotional even if we try to deny that. And how our memory works is obviously a lot more complicated than we realise, because it's clear to me now that our bodies retain the memory of our births.
Our Spiritual Midwifery course guide, Rachana, is an experienced rebirthing practitioner, and it was an honour to watch her work. We watched as Rachana guided one of our fellow students into her rebirthing session. At first I thought Rachana was doing a guided metitation and the student was receiving a massage from another experienced doula. After a little while the student began making sounds I remember hearing at birth. And the cynic in me thought she was having us on, but then it became clear that it was a surprise to her too! I think she was thinking (like me) that she was just having a massage and some meditation.
After "giving birth" our fellow student told us how real it all felt. She could feel the labour rushes (contractions) and then the urge to push. We could see from outside her body that she was experiencing these physical feelings and we could hear it as she sang out.
In order to become a certified doula with ICSM, students must do at least five rebirthing sessions (I can't wait to experience it for myself!). Having seen a rebirthing session I realise it's really important for someone who wants to serve women at birth to rebirth herself in order to release (physically and emotionally) any issues she has about her own experiences of being born and giving birth. That way she is better able to be in the moment and with-woman as a birth attendant because she is less likely to bring her own issues into the birth space.
Rebirthing Links:
Wikipedia on rebirthing
Rebirthing/Breathwork
Rebirthing Practitioners Australia
Rebirthing International
Rebirthing Network UK
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