Conscious Breast Exploration


Self Discovery

  • The energy with which we approach our bodies and our breasts is very important. Our bodies are very attuned and impacted by energetic frequencies.  If we approach breast ‘exams’ with fear and anxiety, this frequency will be transmitted to the breast tissue. Just the work ‘exam’ elicits a pang of worry. Many women are reluctant to do breast exams out of for fear of what they might find.

  • Developing a loving relationships to our breasts takes time.

  • The goal is establish a loving and nurturing relationship with your breasts and your body. Always approach them with respect and loving kindness. They’re here to support you, not to cause you anxiety and fear.

  • The purpose of examining any part of your body is to know your body well enough and be comfortable so that when sometime abnormal shows up  you have the ability to recognize that, hey, something’s not right and I need to have this checked out.  

  • You are the most important diagnostic tool. Most women find their own lumps (about 90%), not doctors.

  • Approach this with a spirit of consciously loving and caring for them.  Get to know them. Don’t approach them with the intent to find lumps. It should be no different then exploring the bottom of your foot but we treat it as armageddon, at least I used to.

  • Go slowly. Take your time and only do what you’re comfortable with. Many woman have a fearful relationship with their breasts. If you’re too scared to do an exploration, simply start with a loving massage with a beautifully scented massage oil. This will help move the lymph and detoxify the breast tissue which is great practice and will help you get comfortable with your breasts.

  • Breast tissue is not uniform which in itself is stressful. The upper outer quadrant is more dense than the rest which, if you don’t know, can be worrisome. Divide your breast area into 4 areas and take one area and start to gently and slowly explore.  Do so with sense of curiosity more than a search and destroy method.

  • Learn what that part feels like and send it loving thoughts, thanking it for all the health and blessings it’s brought you.

 

Practice

  • Create a relaxing environment: candle light, soothing music, bath, essential oils, breast oils. Whatever makes you feel calm, safe and relaxed.

  • Rub your hands until they’re warm and whenever you touch your breasts do so with loving kindness.  Cover your breasts with your hands and visualize transferring a white light of loving and healing energy. Your breasts respond to positive loving thoughts.

  • When you’re ready, explore your breast tissue using the flat parts of your fingers. Your fingertips are incredibly sensitive and will pick up the little ductules.

  • It is recommended that you lie down when you do a breast exam. This helps increase the surface area of the breast tissue making it easier to find any imbalances. Lying down raise your right arm and use your left hand to explore the right breast. Start with one section if you’re feeling a bit nervous.

  • Another option is have your doctor tell you what they’re feeling as they’re examining you. Examine yourself afterwards so you know what you’re feeling is normal. Ask them to guide you through a breast exam. This will help you get familiar with your particular breast tissue.  

  • Mantra while doing breast exams and massage : “You are safe with me.” This helps release any fear.

  • Remember, breasts respond positively to your intent (!)

 


 

Breast Massage

  • As you are well aware of by now, breasts contain no muscle tissue, which restricts the flow of lymph. When lymph becomes stagnant, toxins are retained and proper nutrition of the breasts is inhibited.

  • Important lymph nodes reside under the armpits, in between the breasts, next to the collarbone and are responsible for filtering harmful substances and contain important immune cells which fight off the bad guys.

  • Breast massage is one of the best ways to move this lymph and energy. It is imperative that toxins are drained and that energy (hurt, pain, heartbreak, sorrow) is released. Breast massage combined with a breast mask not only helps drain and detoxify breast tissue, but it also nourishes and heals.

 

Benefits

  • Supports healthy lymph flow

  • Known to help shrink growths

  • Increases breast tissue nutrition and oxygenation

  • Boosts blood circulation

  • Promotes relaxation

  • Balances heart and sexual energy

  • Detoxifies toxins and excess estrogen

  • Enhance elasticity of the ligaments

  • Increase breast milk production

  • Unblock plugged milk glands

  • Releases stagnant energy like stress, hurt, sorrow, unlovability and unworthiness

  • Reduces breast pain and tenderness

  • Allows you to develop a loving and nurturing relationship with your breasts and body

  • Helps you get comfortable and confident with the idea and practice of a breast ‘exam’

 

  • Your breasts will feel incredibly light and nourished afterwards.

  • In Japan, breast massage is practiced to increase breast milk quantity and quality.

  • There are different approaches to massaging your breasts. The lymphatic pump has a one way valve, so don’t worry about doing it wrong. You can’t disrupt the direction of the lymphatic flow.  What’s important is moving that lymph and placing a loving intention on your breasts.

  • A simple and easy method is placing each hand over each breasts, the middle of the palm over each nipple, and move the breasts in a circular motion, towards the armpits.

Exercise

I encourage you to start a regular breast massage practice. We all have our areas of comfort and discomfort and it’s important to start with what we’re comfortable with. If you’ve never touched or ‘examined’ your breasts, it can be a daunting and fearful experience. Start small and work your way up. Perhaps you just start with the armpit ‘pumping’ action as described in the video below. Just this in itself, can do so much! Doing a breast or armpit massage while experiencing PMS pain and tenderness is a great way to witness how well theses practices work and motivates us to keep going.

 

This is a wonderful video tutorial for breast lymphatic massage and incredibly helpful for reducing pain and tenderness that happens around the menstrual cycle.


 “The art of breast massage. Even though I’ve been on the holistic path for a decade and a half, I only started breast massage in my own beauty ritual a few years ago. I began it after my studies in Ayurveda, and also when I started to get cysts that brought on swelling and pain. I was so thrilled when I was able to make a cyst dissipate with regular massage, and using a cabbage leaf on the cyst when sleeping. Being your own healer means taking initiative in preventative measures.”

Shiva Rose