maya abdominal massage for reproductive & digestive health

“I learned about Mayan Abdominal Massage from my mom who was trying to help me in my painful journey to get pregnant. My husband and I tried to become pregnant for 1 and 1/2 years before I met Catherine. I had not heard of Mayan massage before and was open to trying anything to get pregnant. When I first met Catherine I was immediately drawn to her kind energy. Being in the emotional state I was in after a year of diagnostic tests, hormone treatments, and increased doubt and anxiety, Catherine was very understanding and provided me a safe place to have all those emotions.

The Mayan massage was immensely healing for me and I did the self-care exercises each night. I felt more in control of my situation that had been so out of my control for too long. The massage just became a part of my routine each night. On December 11, 2008 I found out I was pregnant and now have a healthy baby boy! Catherine did more for me than massage; she was a calm presence who was a part of my journey to motherhood.”
- Darcy Stamps (baby boy Makai Stamps born August 20, 2009)

“When I first began seeing Catherine I was experiencing chronic sciatic pain and digestive health issues. Up until then, I had tried many conventional and non-conventional methods of healing with very little progression. Not long after we began applying the Mayan massage methods, my body began to heal itself and returned to normalcy. I have been healthy over the last year and feel great! When my husband and I felt ready to try for a baby, I was pregnant within a month! I attribute our success to my healthy reproductive and digestive health. Catherine has a strong knowledge and insight of the female body, but her real gift is her gentle, loving nature and encouraging guidance to heal yourself. It is a true blessing to share in Catherine’s gift of healing.”
- Eleesha Guido

“My husband and I tried for 6 years without success to start a family. We were doing IUI's with and without fertility drugs, acupuncture and Chinese herbs off and on, yet nothing seemed to help. After one very expensive and heartbreaking failed attempt, my family doctor suggested I try a combination of acupuncture and Maya massage. By this point, My husband and I were both so emotionally defeated and overwhelmed with grief that even though we decided we'd give this a try we really didn't have any hope that it would work.

Then I met Catherine. Her massages, herbs and Fertile Being classes started a healing process that impacted me on more levels than I ever thought possible. This healing alone was worth every penny and minute spent. And then a year later, to our surprise, I became pregnant! Today I am incredibly blessed to be the mother of an amazing, healthy 5 month old baby boy. I see now how these experiences have made me so much stronger and secure in my contentment that I believe I am so much a better mother now than I ever would have been before. And, Catherine was there with me, helping to pull me out of one of the most difficult times of my life. I will always be grateful to her and recommend her highly.”
- Andrea Matt

“Working with Catherine added another level of connection with my body and monthly cycle. While I wasn't seeking to get pregnant, the massage helped me tune into and clarify myself as a woman, and even as a future mother. When my husband and I received a surprise pregnancy, I felt prepared both in body and spirit to accept this gift.”
- Jennifer Dopierala, mother of Guthrie, born September 29, 2007

“I think my husband and I both agree that meeting Catherine was a turning point in our journey toward parenthood. Here we are days away from welcoming our first child, (due April 2010) and we can't possibly thank Catherine enough for the difference she has made in our lives. We first came to know Catherine through her Fertile Being classes after years of struggling with unexplained infertility. We attended the classes together and experienced the healing journey as a couple and partnership. The classes brought us closer together as well as helped us to share our experiences of the struggle more openly -- with each other as well as with other people. They opened us up to acceptance of our journey and allowed us to move forward with healing. They also taught us powerful coping techniques that work for us in all aspects of our lives, not just in our fertility journey. I'm confident we will be better parents for it. In addition, it was liberating to meet and interact with other couples also struggling with fertility issues.

I also got to know Catherine on a more one-on-one basis through her Maya Abdominal Massage sessions. I enjoyed the massages immensely. I followed the self-care techniques and many other recommendations that Catherine made. As a result, I began to experience less painful cramping during my menstrual cycles -- an outcome I never expected. I thought cramping was normal! The prenatal massages are wonderful as well!

My husband and I ultimately turned to IVF to help us achieve pregnancy, but our work with Catherine helped us to be absolutely at peace with this decision. I once described Catherine to a fellow client as "she is just good therapy", and I stand by that. Beyond the physical therapy offered by her wonderful massages, Catherine's calm demeanor and generous, accepting heart frequently provide emotional healing as well. I always feel more relaxed when I leave a session with Catherine. My husband said "I wouldn't be in the place I am today if it wasn't for Catherine". So Catherine, with heartfelt gratitude, thank you for all that you do!”
- Becky and Bill Porter

“After suffering a miscarriage about 6 months previously, I decided to have a session with Catherine. I’d heard she was the one to see if you wanted to get pregnant! I started having monthly visits with her and so much changed so quickly. After just a few sessions, my periods were no longer painful, heavy feeling or full of cramps. I wasn't worn down and bedridden anymore when my period arrived. In fact, I felt so good all month that I would forget when my period was coming because all of my negative symptoms were a thing of the past! When my husband and I decided to start trying to get pregnant again, I felt like my body was ready to receive a little being. I got pregnant after 3 months of trying! And Charles Vincent arrived July 24, 2007. This bodywork has changed my life! I would recommend this work to ALL women, whether you want a child or not. It has helped me find internal balance with my hormones, my periods and helps me continue to have a more balanced life each month. Curling up in a ball and being miserable when my period arrives is a thing of the past! So blessed and grateful to you, Catherine!”
- Nina L. Montemarano

"I'm currently five months pregnant, with three-plus years of trying to conceive under the “unexplained infertility” label, one surgery to remove cysts, and a successful first insemination... I truly believe that I met Catherine where I was supposed to during my journey, when I needed hope the most. The infertility struggle can be so consuming and heavy. I'll never forget the emotional releases that went along with the first few sessions. My uterus definitely needed to let go of some negative things. And the energy, not just physical, that Catherine put into the sessions was wonderful. She truly believed that pregnancy would happen for us, and I eventually not only believed it, but also started being less wrapped up in it (perhaps the proverbial letting go?). That said, she simply gives a great massage. The only thing better than a “please-help-me-get-pregnant” massage is a prenatal one.”
- Cindy Crosby (gave birth to a healthy baby boy, John Paul, in April '08)

“After a year’s worth of negative pregnancy tests, I finally told my husband I couldn’t stand the heartbreak anymore: our son was going to be an only child if I didn’t conceive in the next month. We made a trip to Crestone to see Catherine. She asked if she could examine me, and she discovered my uterus was lying sideways. She brought it into alignment and showed me how to perform strengthening exercises. Two weeks later I was pregnant! I now believe my flopped-over womb was preventing zygotes from implanting, and Catherine’s intervention likely saved my son’s life. Today Leo is a rambunctious toddler who brings us immeasurable joy, and Catherine is in large part to thank.”
- Leah Pabst, mother of Benjamin (6), Leo (2), and Thaddeus (5 months)

“Maya Abdominal Massage helped me to let go of old wounds and brought me into my body in a way that nothing else has. It brought a genuine awareness of what it is to be a woman; it grounded, centered, and integrated this primordial energy, something our culture doesn’t typically recognize or value. As I settle into a new experience of being a woman, I am naturally a more grounded mother.”
- Claire Vaughn, professional Rolfer and mother of Sage, born February 10, 2007

Praise for the Fertile Being Six-Week Class Series:

“The Fertile Being class offered so many practical ways of dealing with the stress that can come with infertility. Because of the holistic approach taken in the class, I was able to create a whole new perspective about my body, my mind and infertility that have made this a beautiful journey rather than a difficult struggle.”

“The Fertile Being classes were amazing for my physical health, yet more importantly for my mental health as I went through the process of trying to get pregnant. Catherine is one of the most supportive, patient, and genuinely kind women I know. She facilitated the classes in such a way that I felt welcome and heard. I truly appreciate that experience and often recommend these classes to other women I know in their process of becoming mothers.”

“I enjoyed this class more than I could have imagined. When we signed up, I figured it would be “good” for us but had no idea how good! Aside from the relaxing/healing aspects of the yoga, meditation and journaling, it was liberating to spend time with people living through the same experience.”

“I loved this class. Especially helpful to me was the journal work, the guided visualizations, and last but probably most important, starting to bring awareness to my own thoughts and how to begin the task of changing them. I also got a lot out of hearing other people's stories and came away with a sense of hopefulness that I did not have before the class. Definitely worth the money!”

“Each week was like a mini retreat — wonderful! Thank you!”

"The class was great and very helpful. I would definitely recommend it to others. I think I've come a long way since my first session in just accepting the journey and learning to embrace it and trust. I really appreciate that. It's better than therapy! : )"