There is a profound silence that often settles in the bones of Black women. It is a weight we carry, sometimes for decades, without truly understanding where it began. We call it stress, we call it “getting older,” or we call it the “price of strength.” But in the sanctuary of our spirits, we know it is often something much deeper. It is the physical manifestation of stories left untold and burdens passed down through generations.
In my work at Fematin958 Intl, I often speak about the three sacred stages of our journey: The Remembering, The Unveiling, and The Reclaiming. Today, I want to invite you to explore how we can move through these phases not just with our minds, but through the sacred vessel of our bodies, specifically through the ancient Yoruba practice of Opa Tiya.
The Remembering: Listening to the Body’s Archive
The first step in any healing journey is The Remembering. We must acknowledge that our bodies are living archives. Every ache in our shoulders and every tension in our lower back is a whisper from our lineage. In African diasporic traditions, we understand that we do not exist in isolation. We are the sum of those who came before us.
When we experience chronic pain or poor circulation, it is often a sign of “stuck” energy. This is where the wisdom of our ancestors provides a roadmap. Our foremothers knew that the body required more than just rest; it required intentional, therapeutic touch to release the trauma trapped in the fascia and muscles.
Opa Tiya, our traditional form of massage therapy, is more than just a luxury. It is a restorative necessity. Historically, it was used to:
- Treat deep-seated body aches that resisted standard rest.
- Improve the “flow” or circulation of both blood and spirit.
- Prepare the body for the spiritual work of ancestral connection.
By engaging with Opa Tiya, we begin to remember that our bodies deserve softness. We break the cycle of the “Strong Black Woman” trope that demands we remain rigid and unbreakable. True strength, as our ancestors knew, lies in our ability to be fluid and open.
The Unveiling: Breaking the Cycles of Trauma
As we move into The Unveiling, we begin to peel back the layers of why we hold tension in the first place. This stage is about clarity. It is about looking at the intergenerational trauma and the cultural disconnection that has made us feel “homeless” within our own skin.
Generational trauma is not just a psychological concept; it is physiological. When our ancestors survived immense hardship, their nervous systems stayed in a state of high alert. This “survival mode” can be passed down through our DNA, manifesting as high blood pressure, chronic fatigue, or persistent physical discomfort.
During an Opa Tiya session, the physical manipulation of the muscles serves as a catalyst for emotional release. As the therapist works on the physical knots, the spiritual knots often begin to loosen as well.
You may find yourself feeling a sudden wave of emotion or a sudden flash of a memory. This is the unveiling in action. You are clearing the debris of the past to make room for your present self.
Consider the impact of poor circulation. When our blood does not flow freely, our vitality is dimmed. We feel sluggish, disconnected, and heavy. In Yoruba cosmology, the flow of life force is essential for spiritual alignment. By physically addressing these blockages, we are symbolically and literally clearing the path for our purpose to emerge.
The Reclaiming: Stepping Into Your Sacred Power
The final stage of our journey is The Reclaiming. This is where we take back our health, our joy, and our ancestral birthright. To reclaim ourselves is to stand in our power with grace. It is the moment we decide that the pain of the past no longer has permission to live in our bodies.
Reclaiming through Opa Tiya looks like a commitment to self-sanctuary. It is a declaration that your well-being is a priority. When we treat our bodies with the reverence they deserve, we are teaching the world (and our children) how to treat us.
The benefits of incorporating this ancestral healing into your modern life are vast:
- Physical Vitality: By improving circulation, you nourish your organs and boost your immune system, giving you the energy to pursue your divine calling.
- Spiritual Grounding: Massage helps “lower” the energy from a busy, overthinking mind back down into the earth, helping you feel more present and stable.
- Cultural Connection: Practicing Opa Tiya is an act of Sankofa. You are reaching back to take what was nearly lost and bringing it into the present to build a healthier future.
Restoring the Divine Feminine
For the Black woman and our elders, reclaiming the body is a radical act of love. We have spent so long caring for others, building communities, and holding up the sky. The divine feminine within us thrives on nurture, flow, and receptivity. Opa Tiya allows us to be at the receiving end of care. It allows us to be vulnerable in a safe, spirit-led space.
When you lay on the massage table, you are not just a client; you are a daughter of the soil returning to the wisdom of the elders. You are allowing the “Opa” (the staff or support) to hold you.
This practice reminds us that we do not have to carry the world alone. There are tools, rituals, and traditions designed specifically to lighten our load.
A Sacred Invitation
If you have been feeling disconnected from your body, or if you feel that your physical aches are tied to a deeper, spiritual weight, I invite you to stop running. The path to your healing is not found in doing more, but in being more present with yourself.
Your ancestors did not want you to live in pain. They left us these “Opa” (supports) to ensure we could navigate this life with vitality and joy. Whether it is through the therapeutic touch of Opa Tiya or the deep soul-work of our mentorship programmes, the door to your sanctuary is open.
Let us begin the work of The Remembering, The Unveiling, and The Reclaiming together. Your body is a temple, and it is time you felt at home within its walls.
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