Shugie is five weeks old and I just want to say – THANK YOU – to those of you who are here supporting me by reading and engaging with my content! I hope what I have been sharing has brought even the slightest bit of value into your life. I appreciate the support from my incredible Denver community (y’all know who you are) and I have enjoyed meeting all of you new friends through my DMs! If there are any topics, practices, or products that you are interested in learning more about this fall and winter please let me know by commenting here or messaging me! Xx

Now to the point. At-home massages.

We shared last week all about Abhyanga oil massage and why you want to include one (or more if you can) into your postpartum recovery plan. Today, I want to bring you an incredibly simple massage oil recipe so you can treat yourself to some grade-A self-care at home that you can do by yourself or with a partner. One of our goals at Shugie is to make postpartum care accessible to everyone. Yes, you can hire an ayurvedic practitioner to come into your home (put it on your registry!) AND/OR you can practice this ritual at home by yourself at very little cost. It’s important that we let new moms know- there are at-home rituals and resources available to her!

First, let’s start with the massage oil recipe:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

???? 3 tbsp refined coconut oil (melted)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

???? 2 tbsp food-grade rose water⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

???? 1/2 c jojoba oil⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

???? 10 drops of a grounding essential oil⠀⠀

Mix together and voila! I stored my homemade oil in a glass jar and kept it in my bathroom since the recurring warmth in the room wouldn’t solidify the oil.

MASSAGE GUIDE:

Step 1. Get the vibe right – but keep it simple. Bring in your salt lamp, candle, Palo Santo wood, crystals, whatever it is for you that is calming.

Step 2. Begin drawing your herbal sitz bath. I love this dehydrated citrus blend from The Boozy Botanist. You are going to soak in this following the massage.

Step 3. Lose your clothes and step onto a bathmat (that you don’t care about). Take your oil and begin at the very top of your head. Pour your oil slowly and intentionally and feel as it drips down your neck and shoulders. Massage the oil into your scalp covering every inch and soaking your hair. Rub behind your ears and allow your intuition to guide you on where your attention is needed. Oil builds warmth in your system, hydrates your hair and skin, and acts as a sacred barrier of protection against depletion.

Step 4. Continue your self-massage down your body moving your hands and fingertips in circles along your skin. Pay close attention to areas of tension and tightness.

Step 5. Enjoy an herbal sitz bath. Close your eyes in a moment of meditation in closing. Ask to contain and seal your energy creating a boundary for the sake of you and your family’s health and wellness.

What at-home self-care practices are you loving for postpartum support?

xx

Kaitlin