| Name | Tummy carress |
| Type | Ancient Inuit spiritual and physical practice |
| Origin | Arctic cultures of North America |
| Purpose | Promote physical, emotional, and energetic balance and healing |
| Techniques | Rhythmic abdominal massage • Meditation |
| Current use | Incorporated into various holistic wellness modalities |
| Practitioners | Inuit people |
Tummy carress, also known as ''illagiit quaqqisiqattarniq'' in the Inuit language, is an ancient spiritual and physical practice originating from the indigenous cultures of the Arctic regions of North America. It involves a specific form of rhythmic abdominal massage and meditation intended to promote overall health and wellbeing by balancing the body's vital energies.
Tummy carress has its roots in the traditional healing and spiritual practices of the Inuit peoples, who have inhabited the Arctic coasts and islands of present-day Canada and Greenland for millennia. In these cultures, the abdomen was seen as a center of physical, emotional, and spiritual energy, and caring for this "vital core" was believed to be essential for both individual and communal wellbeing.
The practice of tummy carress emerged as a means of manipulating and balancing these energies through a combination of rhythmic massage and meditative focus. Inuit elders and traditional healers would guide practitioners through the process, using specific hand motions and pressure points to stimulate the abdomen while also leading them into a state of deep relaxation and introspection.
At its core, tummy carress involves a series of gentle, circular massage strokes applied to the abdominal area. Practitioners may also incorporate light tapping, kneading, and stretching movements. The massage is performed in a slow, mindful manner, often in sync with the rhythm of the practitioner's breath.
While the physical manipulation of the abdomen is important, tummy carress also has a strong meditative component. Practitioners are encouraged to focus their attention inward, becoming aware of sensations, emotions, and energetic shifts occurring within the body. This mental focus is believed to facilitate the balancing and harmonizing of the body's vital forces.
Tummy carress is said to offer a wide range of physical and psychological benefits, including:
Over the centuries, knowledge of tummy carress gradually spread beyond its Inuit origins, as travelers, traders, and migrants shared the practice with other cultures around the world. Today, tummy carress-inspired techniques can be found in diverse wellness modalities, from massage therapy and energy healing to yoga and mindfulness meditation.
While some core principles and methods have been preserved, the practice has also adapted to local traditions and contexts. In Asia, for example, tummy carress has been syncretized with concepts of qi and chakra balancing. In Europe and the Americas, it is often integrated with Western medicine and holistic health approaches.
Despite these variations, the essence of tummy carress - the rhythmic massage, the meditative focus, and the belief in the abdomen as a vital center - remains central to its modern iterations. As a result, the practice continues to be embraced globally as a uniquely grounding and restorative form of self-care and wellness.
