Today’s blog post will be a transcript from Episode 17 of The Craniosacral Podcast.
In this episode I answer a listener question about pitfalls to look out for on the professional path of craniosacral therapy. I elaborate on three of the larger challenges I have noticed: zealotry, disillusionment, and stagnation.
Boy, have I got a treat for you!
Last month on The Craniosacral Podcast I featured an interview with a really dynamic British practitioner by the name of Andrew Stones. In order that I might better understand his background, Andrew sent me a sample of some of his writing that recounted some key periods in his development as an Osteopath and Craniosacral Therapist. I posted a portion of this writing in the show notes for the podcast, but upon reading the document in its entirety I really felt like my listeners and blog followers would enjoy reading the whole thing. Andrew has graciously given me permission to post it here. Get ready to hear things about cranial work you have never heard before! I will spread it out over two posts. Enjoy –
Hello Everyone! Well, I’m in full-swing with The Craniosacral Podcast now, and it has been a lot of fun so far. Producing a podcast does require a good amount of time, however, and I find myself in the process of learning how to better alot my time in order to maintain consistency with the multiple craniosacral-related projects I have given birth to. With that in mind I am going to “borrow” from the podcast for today’s blog offering by posting a transcription of a portion of the latest episode. In this episode I answer two questions from podcast listeners. One is about transitioning from the Upledger approach into biodynamics, and the other is about verbally interacting with the client.
This is a spontaneous talk I recorded in 2014 while sitting inside the Palo Duro Canyon, the second largest canyon in the United States. I did it while on a mini vacation, at the end of a day of hiking. I discuss some fundamental aspects of the fluid body, and walk you through a quick exercise to build a felt sense of it. I recently found it on my hard drive and thought it might be helpful for some of you. For those of you who prefer to read, I have included a transcription. But listening to it is so much better!
I would like to express my thanks to the practitioners of craniosacral therapy across the globe who have sent me positive and encouraging emails asking for more posts during my recent hiatus. It continues to amaze me that the internet connects so many wonderful like-minded individuals. Experts on the subject of blogging say the number one rule to effectiveness with this medium is to be consistent … well it looks like I’ve blown that one! I have been putting a lot of energy into building my clinical practice over the last six months, and it has really payed off with an increased understanding of what it takes to make a living as a craniosacral therapist. I’ve also put time and energy into building strong relationships with my children and spiritual community, and I have been greatly enriched by these efforts. Teaching remains an ongoing endeavor. During my absence from blogging I have been taking a closer look at what it really means to be a craniosacral practitioner in the modern world, and I am excited about sharing some of those thoughts as I get back into online writing. Let’s start with this:
Almost two years ago, Shea Stewart (www.stewartranch.net) formally introduced me to the world of equine craniosacral therapy. I posted my initial impressions here. As many of you know, Shea and I have recently been working together to construct an equine craniosacral curriculum that builds on the existing model by adding new insights emerging from the human biodynamic paradigm. So far the feedback has been very positive from class attendees. The following is a transcription of an informal conversation between Shea and I about working with horses and the growing value we see in the biodynamic approach.
The practice of craniosacral therapy is largely about understanding and coming into correct relationship with the natural spatial organization of the body as it is expressed through deep biological movement. In order to understand the deeper movements of natural embodiment we need to spend time directly in nature, experiencing the varying wavelengths of her frequencies and the textures of her many material enfoldments.
My post for today is a spontaneous spoken word commentary about the gifts nature offers the therapist as an antidote to the often insidious effects of technology and culture on the soul and body of the individual. I also speak to the conundrum faced by the therapist whom, when dealing with Primary Respiration, is subject to a treatment plan that might not easily fit into the constructs of ego. It was recorded in nature and runs about 45 minutes.
Because of the lengthy nature of the mp3 file, it has been archived for you to play or download here:
www.cranioschool.com/audio
I am happy to announce the completion of a new interview with John Chitty. John is a Co-Director of the Colorado School of Energy Studies along with his wife, Anna. The Chitty’s are two of the most prolific trainers in America in the field of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy. John has been a quiet but important force in the field of biodynamic therapy for many years. He recently published his second book Dancing with Yin and Yang: Ancient Wisdom, Modern Psychotherapy and Randolph Stone’s Polarity Therapy. In this interview I ask John to share with us about how his life has unfolded. I think it makes for a pretty interesting tale. Enjoy.
Please take a few seconds to look at the photo posted above.
Last week I did a little experiment with this photo in my office building. I asked 20 random people to look at this photo and tell me what they saw.
Almost everyone said Continue reading
I was cleaning some boxes out of my closet this week and I found a few transcriptions of lectures I gave many years ago. It was fascinating reading these, as I was reminded of how timeless the foundational concepts of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy are. Today I am posting a segment from one of those lectures, given at a weekend training at Phoenix Therapeutic Massage College in 2006. When I visited this discussion again, part of it grabbed my attention because it illustrates well a question I am often asked: Why are craniosacral therapists so interested in embryology? I hope it is useful for you in some capacity: