SOBADA
the Art of Mayan Abdominal-Womb Massage
5-day Intensive Training
December 13 - 17, 2026 | GuateMaya
Within Mayan Cosmovision, the navel is considered to be the Center of our Power.
The Mux’u’x is the physical scar left by our first relationship, our direct connection to the placenta, and through it, to our mother and father - but also, to the more-than-visible aspects of Spirit and our Ancestors. After the cord is cut, what remains is a visible mark on the surface of the body- a central point within the fascial and energetic networks of the abdomen - our spiritual and energetic connection to Mother Earth and all the Living Forces who Create Life.
Learning the art of Sobada means to understand that nothing in the body happens in isolation, and nothing in life happens outside of pattern. The same Intelligence that organizes the movement of the stars organizes the formation of a human body in the womb. To learn the Sobada is to learn how the intelligence of the body can be listened to, and where the patterns of life can be remembered and reorganized through Ancestral Care.
Overview
This Training is carefully designed to offer you the most comprehensive, in depth and authentic education in the Art of Ancestral Bodywork focused in Womb and gastrointestinal health as portals for Whole body (Spirit, body and mind) health.
Studying the “Sobada” invites our senses to activate mystically through skilled touch and the profound understanding of the wisdom of the organs as the containers for spiritual, emotional and physical qualities of the Soul. The Mayan Sobada is an invitation to re-member the innate intelligence that our bodies carry, learning how to care for the bigger web of Life through tending to our sacred bodies.
The Art of Ancestral Bodywork
Learn the Art of Ancestral Bodywork not only as physical practice but as a vehicle for deep spiritual attunement to the innate intelligence of the body.
Support personal and communal healing through skilled touch, become a steward of Ancestral healing technologies.
Earth-Based knowledge for Womb and Whole health
Deepen your connection with Nature and the sacred cycles of life through a deeper understanding of Womb physiology and its inextricable connection to the Living Earth.
Cultivate a sense of clarity and belonging as a Guardian of Life and Womb Wisdom to support yourself and your community.
Integration of Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science
Learn to integrate ancestral Mayan teachings with contemporary understandings of human’s health.
Develop a holistic approach to physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing by profoundly understanding the natural rhythms of the body.
What you will learn:
You will learn a 2 hour FULL BODY treatment of SOBADA + full body massage.
Learn how to support women and your community through the SOBADA as taught by the Maya K’ich’e traditional Midwives.
Practice SOBADA supervised/assisted by our teachers, receive feedback, advice and blessings to guide you in the learning process.
Gain knowledge about medicinal herbs and energetic treatments for womb health, preconception, fertility, postpartum and menopause that usually complement the massage session.
Bridge ways of connection to life from the Maya K'iche' Cosmovision & integrate to your daily life, relations and your work to harmonize all aspects of your being.
Learn more about yourself through Mayan Cosmovision.
Integrate physiology, technique, energy, emotional & spiritual healing into your service and personal life through Ancestral Mayan understandings of Health and Medicine.
What you receive:
Mayan Abdominal- Womb Massage teachings, practice and receiving.
Daily ritual practice.
2 Pre-recorded theory classes: Anatomy & Physiology of the womb + Introduction to Maya Cosmovision. (We will review the material of these in person but it is important that you immerse yourself in the theory before our hands-on training).
1 Faja (handwoven by the midwives).
2 Mayan Fire Ceremonies with the Spirituality of Cacau & Tabaco (Opening and Closing)
Ancestral education of Women’s health and it’s relation to the Cosmos.
Immersion into Mayan Medicine, Elemental healing modalities, sisterhood, self-healing and SO MUCH MORE….
Rooted in the Mayan Highlands of Guatemala, at the shores of Lake Atitlán…
-
![]()
San Marcos La Laguna, Lake Atitlán
VOLCANIC LAKE
A caldera lake formed by volcanic activity, Lake Atitlán is the deepest lake in Central America.Created approximately 84,000 years ago when a massive super-eruption (the Los Chocoyos eruption) caused a magma chamber to collapse, leaving a giant basin that filled with water.
VIBRANT MAYAN CULTURE
The shores of this majestic Lake are vibrant with around 13 main Mayan towns and villages, primarily inhabited by the Tz'utujil and Kaqchikel peoples.
For centuries, the shores of Lake Atitlán have been home to Maya communities whose traditions, languages, textiles, farming practices, and spiritual beliefs continue to shape everyday life. Unlike many destinations where indigenous culture exists only in museums, Mayan culture at Lake Atitlán remains a living part of the bioregion.
-
![]()
Tzanabaj Collective
INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY
Colectivo Atitlán Tzanabaj is an intentional lakefront community and co-living space located on the shores of Lake Atitlán in Guatemala, near San Marcos La Laguna. It features lush gardens, a lakefront yoga shala, a traditional wood-fired temazcal (sweat lodge), and panoramic volcano views.
Our training will take place in this beautiful, family friendly location. If you wish to stay on site, a shared or private accommodation may be booked in advance to secure your spot.
Only 6 spaces available to stay onsite!!! (shared communal areas with the long term Tzanabaj community).
The Flow
Classes will go from 9am - 5pm every day, with a 1-1.5 hour lunch break.
Schedule:
December 13th, 2026 - Oxlajuj Kan
Opening Ceremony
Demonstration of the massage + theory study
December 14th, 2026 - Jun Kame
Theory revision, questions and answers
Hands-on supervised practice (you will practice on each other) #1
December 15th, 2026 - Keb Kej
Hands-on supervised practice (you will practice on each other) #2
Questions and answers, sharing circle
December 16th, 2026 - Oxib Q’anil
Supervised practice on a guest
December 17th, 2026 - Kajib Toj
Closing Ceremony
WHO is this Training for?
Established midwives, bodyworkers, health care providers, doulas, massage and physical therapists, doctors, etc… looking to enrich their capacity to provide Holistic Healthcare rooted in Ancestral Wisdom to their patients, families and communities.
Mothers, maidens and grandmothers who acknowledge the importance of carrying the wisdom of how to tend to the Womb for their own health and for their communities.
Past students of Ecology of Women Immersion (discounted enrollment) who wish to deepen their knowledge and carry with them the skills to provide Mayan Abdominal-Womb Massage to their families and communities.
You will learn directly from:
-
![]()
Nana Rosalía
Revered Elder Midwife and Ajq’ij (Spiritual Guide/Time Keeper) who comes from a lineage of traditional Birthkeepers and Time Keepers from the Maya K’iche’ Peoples. Rosalía has kept and passed down to generations Ancestral Knowledge regarding birth, postpartum, womb health and the Mayan Cosmology. She is also a survivor of the Guatemalan genocide of indigenous peoples from 1960 to 1996. Nana Rosalía has sustained the Wisdom of her grandparents, attended thousands of births (3,000+) in the traditional ancestral way, she has also taught and shared her wisdom with countless people from all over the world in many different countries for decades and is a pillar of true Wisdom, Love and Resilience for all the K’iche’ Peoples and the world.
-
![]()
Nana Ixquik'
Daughter of Nana Rosalía, Ixquik’ was initiated as an Ajq’ij (Spiritual Guide/Time Keeper) at the young age of 13, receiving a responsibility from her Elders to share the Mayan Cosmovision through her spiritual abilities with the world, especially through her work as an Aj Iyom (Midwife) and with Women’s health. Ixquik’ is a spiritually gifted Healer who has developed in ancestral healing modalities known only by a few talented healers in her lineage. Ixquik’s dedication to the Sacred is felt through each word she shares, her connection with the Earth and her embodiment of Ancestral Medicine is a gift to the world.
-
![]()
María Xtal'y
Founder of RUK’U’X KAWOQ’, Ecology of Women & GuateMaya Retreats. Born and raised in Guatemala, María is a Holistic therapist, Medicine woman, Artist and Full Spectrum Doula dedicated to serving the sanctity of life and our connection to Mother Earth. María weaves Science and Spirit through earth\water-based knowledge systems, utilizing indigenous ways of thinking to make holistic models of Physiology and Ecology. María is an apprentice of the Maya Cosmology via her relationships with Nana Rosalía and the family. Her intention is to amplify the voices of the Mayan Midwives, preserving ancestral wisdom, millenary tradition and culture while sharing what has brought healing to her own life with more women around the world.
Details
What’s included:
Full 5-day training
1 meal per day (lunch) and some snacks: Taste traditional Guatemalan foods and be nourished by meals prepared every day by our Chef. We have vegetarian and gluten free options (please let us know any food allergies or restrictions in the application form).
Cacau and special herbal teas: Nourish the Soul with the magickal drinks of the Maya Lands which will assist you in your learning process.
Supplies for Offerings and Altar making: You will be provided with a base of offerings and materials for our community altar and the ceremonies. Some materials you will have to bring or buy.
Manual: Mindfully curated by our team, the manualcontains all the essential information about the MAWM you’ll need for your practice.
2Pre-recorded Classes: Anatomy & Physiology of the womb, MAWM essential theory. We will review the material of these in person but it is important that you immerse yourself in the theory before our hands-on training.
Investment:
Full Intensive Training SOBADAMayan Abdominal-womb Massage, Early Bird - $950
$1,200
A 30% ($285 USD) deposit is required upon application.
If you are not accepted you will be refunded in full.
An exploration call is required to complete the registration process.
We ask that you please refrain from booking flights or accommodation before you have been accepted.
** Upgrade to a shared or private accommodation on site. Only 6 spots available!!
Financial Transparency
This is how your Investment is distributed.
RUK’U’X KAWOQ’ is a platform created with the intention of redirecting Capital to the people, places and cultures that increase Biodiversity, connection to Nature and traditions of CARE in the World.
We believe that true Abundance comes from Reciprocity and Generosity. All services hired for our immersion are Local and based on deep long term Relationships.
From our Chef to our shuttle Driver, every person hired for our immersions is part of the community and is directly supported by your Investment.
Payment Plans:
After your application deposit (3o%) you can opt for any of the following payment plans:
1 payment of $665
2 payments of $333
3 payments of $222
**Payment links will be shared directly with you via email.
Not included:
Airfare, transportation to and from the airport, or travelers insurance.
Accommodation: We are happy to provide a list of recommendations for places located nearby.
**If you’re traveling from abroad we recommend you to arrive a few days early to have a smooth travel experience.
** Optional Add-on: shared or private accommodation on site. Only 6 spots available!!
What is SOBADA?
The Abdominal-Womb Massage (Sobada) is a strong foundational piece for the rich Mayan Medicine System. The grandmothers and midwives (Aj Iyom) have kept this knowledge through times immemorial and it is a healing modality indicated through pre-conception, pregnancy, and especially during the postpartum period to ensure healing for the vulnerable bodies of postpartum mothers.
Physically, the massage helps bring the uterus and organs back into place after birth, creates a feeling of closing and safety for the mother who just experienced the most expansive “opening” in her body. It also assists muscles and ligaments to move back to their pre-pregnancy place, assists the sensitive digestive system of the newborn mothers as well as their babies, promotes healthy lymphatic flow, and so much more…
AND, due to its incredibly deep healing capacity, this massage is also indicated to treat many imbalances in the human (also male) body including energetic, emotional and spiritual dis-eases.
The wisdom of the Sacred Maya Calendar Cholq’ij (used to explain literally everything in life) is based on the scientific and astronomical study of pregnancy and birth.
This is why, for the Maya, midwives are the ultimate authority, leaders and wisdom keepers of the physical, energetic and mystical Secrets to the Creation of the Universe and the continuum of Life.
The Aj Iyom (midwives and grandmothers) of the Maya peoples oftentimes practice other important professions such as Aj'q’ij (Spiritual Guide/Time Keepers), and Ajq’omanel (Doctors by birth).
The Mayan Abdominal-Womb Massage, in it’s complete and original practice, contains all the energetic, physical and spiritual mysteries of the Cholq’ij within it’s methodology, making it
more than a therapeutic treatment - the Essential Medicine for the Soul.
Written by María Xtal’y
Acknowledgments:
Thanks to Nana Rosalia, Nana Reina, Mariu Gobbato, Nana Ixquik’ and Nana Nicté for teaching me Mayan Abdominal-Womb Massage and for continuing to teach me Maya Cosmovision, for your trust in my work and for your openness to share your ancestral medicine with the world.
To Rachelle Seliga and the work of INNATE Traditions + all the teachers from INNATE’s Postpartum Care Certification Training.
-Consejo de Médicos Maya’ob por Nacimiento “Raxnaq’il Nuk’aslemal, Medicina Maya en Guatemala”
-Apab’yan Tew “Ri utik awex jun Kajulew (The Birth of a Universe, The Maya Science of Pregnancy)”
-Tami Lynn Kent “Wild Feminine” and “Wild Mothering”
Your participation in this program is directly funding an Indigenous Land Based Project…
13% of all funds collected through our retreats and courses goes directly to support “Casa Tortuga” the FIRST Mayan Birthing Center in Guatemala.
YOU are supporting the continuation of Ancestral Mayan Birth Keeping Arts and Mayan Culture.
THANK YOU!! MALTYOX!
“Every breath ever taken is still in the air to breathe. I breathe the breaths of the Ancestors, and everybody else’s too.”
SOBADA
Mayan Abdominal-Womb Massage Training
Mayan Immersion
RUK’U’X KAWOQ’ & COLECTIVO UTZ K’ASLEMAL