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CRANIAL-SACRAL THERAPY

As I reflected and gathered my thoughts in preparation for writing I was again aware of the main reason I love the experience of Cranial-Sacral Therapy.  I recalled the sensation of floating in a protected body of water, the sense of weightlessness, calmness, relaxation, timelessness, wholeness and more.  Aware of the sensation that every movement is effortless and supported.  Think of swimming, there is very little effort required, unless one is swimming against a current.  I was again aware of my connection to all that surrounds me.

Now, I know that if you were to do further research on Cranial-Sacral Therapy you would find information on the history of the major pioneers of Cranial-Sacral Therapy and the various theories and mechanics on how it works etc.  However, since I have this affinity for water I will be using analogies of water in describing my perception of Cranial-Sacral Therapy.

Have you ever observed how water flows in a river or ocean?  It flows with ease for the most part.  However, when there is an obstruction the water seeks a new path around it and frequently there remains a ponding of stagnant water or reduced flow in the area of the original obstruction.
Or there may be areas with sandbars, huge kelp beds or coral reefs, which slow down the action of the waves.  In other areas there may be huge out croppings of rocks, which the waves crash up on.

So how does this apply to Cranial-Sacral Therapy?  Well, our bodies are made up of more than 85% water and the rest is other organic materials.  Our bodies are like mini rivers and oceans, with tides and currents, with ebbs and flows. 

What happens when the water that flows within our various systems as blood, lymph, joint fluids, digestive juices, hormones and cerebral-spinal fluid, etc. becomes restricted or obstructed?  We may feel tired, stressed, unable to focus, find ourselves walking or holding ourselves in a restrictive manner, and over time we may eventually become ill.  For each type of fluid plays an important role in facilitating the over-all functioning of our bodies in general.  Each is designed to flow in a prescribed manner within each of our bodies systems.

Cranial-Sacral Therapy opens the door for restoring the natural balance within your body as a whole.  In utilizing gentle touch and intuitively ‘listening’ with my hands I have the opportunity to notice what is currently happening within your body.  Noticing the quality of your breath: labored, rapid or slow; the qualities of your tissues: fluid, tense, dense or relaxed; the qualities of your body fluids: viscous, thin, grainy or gritty. 

In the noticing, an opportunity is created within your body for balance to be restored.  Think about it this way.  We all want to be noticed, typically for the positive rather than that which may be considered negative.  We all want to be recognized and appreciated for our worth.  So too, our bodies, that is why it sends out distress signals when we forget to pay attention to it because we have too much going on in our daily lives. 

In a Cranial-Sacral Therapy session you have the occasion to lie in comfort and just be still.  There is time to quiet your mind, to stop thinking, to pay attention to your breath, or to notice how all the parts of your body are connected.  To become aware of the subtle shifts that occur as energy is freed up within.  To notice how the tension in your abdomen eases, how the tension in your low back and the back of your head relaxes.  You have the opportunity to explore the connections between your body, mind, spirit and more.  You may have the sense that nothing is happening and hence fall asleep.  However, do keep in mind that much is occurring deep within, because your body is in charge of restoring balance no matter what seems to be occurring on a surface level.

The Cranial-Sacral session begins with me placing my hands on your feet or ankles, knees, back or sacrum, abdomen, upper chest or head based on what seems appropriate at the beginning of each session.   Based on what I notice while ‘listening’ with my hands I may move to various locations or remain in one location for the duration of the session.  At the end of the session you may have the sense of being relaxed, refreshed, a sense of increased clarity, feeling more at ease and fluidity with each movement or a sense of vitality restored.  Or you may feel a sense of having spent time at the beach, mountains, desert or floating in a safe body of water.

Cranial-Sacral Therapy can be experienced as a kind of tune-up or fine-tuning session.  It can also be experienced in response to an acute or chronic health challenge with a series of sessions.  Do be aware that if you are in need of a diagnosis, prescription or more specific treatment please contact your health care provider.

I am grateful for each and every opportunity to connect with you and to simply act as the observer or witness appreciating your worth.  It is a blessing for all to experience touch in a transformational way.  This is always a privileged and profound experience for me as I guide and assist you back to a balanced and natural state of health and vitality.  Thank you.   

Trudy Zachman - 2008

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