Craniosacral therapy: theoretical and practical handbook-introduction. Craniosacral therapy There are some questions you face bullies the minds of those who, for the first time, look for an approach to craniosacral therapy. The first, "What?" Is the same that are placed all those who have made this sport a way of life. All of us have heard of therapy or re-balancing Craniosacral became an 'idea, intuitively correct, an ill-defined discipline, outside the rules and the scope of massage or other body techniques. Also because, unlike other techniques and disciplines (such as shiatsu, for example), craniosacral therapy has escaped being robbed operated by means of mass communication, which tend to bring into the heterogeneous category of "new age" all that does not fit in the schemes of the rigid academic teaching. I like to think that they did so out of respect, even though I know it's not true.
In any case, many have felt that somehow behind this definition was probably a strange but fascinating unknown world, and curiosity about them often "forced" to join one of the (rare compared to other disciplines) available courses or to undergo a series of treatments.
Almost as often, during my work as a teacher and practitioner, I was asked two questions.
"What for?" First. Let's face it now: I think that even if spontaneous and not malicious, a question like this means that the applicant's mental attitude is all biased towards the culture of allopathic health, in which all of us in the West, we are plunged willy-nilly. That everything we do should have a utilitarian purpose practical, immediate, the result certainly is an 'aberration resulting from a cultural setting that personal growth is not necessarily aimed at sharing knowledge and awareness of the greater experience, but only to the improvement the material conditions of life of themselves and, at most, of their families. In some cases, those in which strongly discourage my partner to learn this discipline, the applicant fails to accept the fact that a form of health care and welfare can not be used to combat disease and its symptoms, but rather to awaken the life energy and our natural process of healing through a gentle and non-violent approach. If it does not hurt, in fact, some say, is not needed.
There is a third question, which involves the central problem of awareness of the therapist, which can be summarized as follows: "there are however, techniques or procedures that may place the practitioner away from negative influences from the customer? ". In fact, anyone working in daily contact with the disease, the malaise, existential unease, it needs to find a way to adopt an attitude seconded to avoid being overwhelmed and influenced by others' pain. Often people who ask this question refers to the techniques used in pranotherapy, such as the "mental wall" or the golden cocoon ", which consist of specific views for protection of his own psyche.
I'm sorry, but Craniosacral therapy is another thing: do not deny that, as I said, even the craniosacral therapist should be able to totally not get involved, let alone that the treatment should not do everything he can to not bring home the problems of others. But it is the mindset behind this question that bothers me: If an aspiring therapist, even before knowing the characteristics of therapy that wants to learn, first and foremost concern is the possible negative effects that this may cause, then it's probably best that you devote to other activities, such as collecting funds or game bag, rather than an activity that necessarily involves a degree of involvement and consumption of our vital energy, and that is primarily addressed to others and not only to themselves. You can not think of dedicating oneself to others, the therapeutic point of view (the term meant in its broadest sense, and certainly not medical) without risking anything and without spending something of himself. There nothing could be further from the aseptic technique of craniosacral therapy treatment (as are all the rage today with Bioresonance equipment), which rejects the physical contact and even empathic communication, verbal and relational in kind with the receiver.
But perhaps the only question really embarrassing that a craniosacral therapist may feel to ask about his work is right: "But what is, in short, this craniosacral therapy?" .
The embarrassment stems from the fact that this unique therapy system by its nature eludes any definition, placing, for its character of complexity and versatility, unique among the so-called non-conventional therapies, in an area historically, culturally and therapeutically and almost devoid of original terms of reference.
combination therapy, we said, from the theoretical point of view, but apparently simple in its practical application. Body treatment, because it necessarily requires a manual contact with the recipient's body, but the most distant from any imaginable type of massage. Technique of unquestionable efficacy in the treatment of disorders and imbalances, mechanical, organic and functional, but which in reality has no objective to act on them directly.
One could go on pointing out similarities and differences with any other technique or therapy (from meditation to shiatsu, psychotherapy dall'approccio the existential malaise, chiropractic or osteopathic techniques) but the conclusion ultimately is always the same: Craniosacral therapy is first and foremost, a way of dealing with themselves, with health and with the outside world, and a cutting-edge therapeutic system whose principles are increasingly an indispensable reference for any therapist at any level and any tool operates.
As with most disciplines working on the body, Craniosacral therapy is based on techniques which, as such, could be taught in a few hours, personally, am increasingly convinced that everything that is truly useful and effective also relatively simple to understand and learn (Dr. Hamer believes that the basis of his "new medicine" may be taught in two weekends). The fact is that knowledge of technique, in our case, not an exhaustive treatment, in fact, unlike other techniques, craniosacral that, in itself, does not serve anyone or anything. What makes it possible to these simple hand positions on the the recipient's body to put into action their unique potential is what forms the subject of most of our theoretical and practical course: the therapist, the awareness, the ability to enter into a meditative state, many hours of experience, many hours of study to make and interpret its own, adapting to our personalities, philosophical, psychological and scientific underpinning of the modern understanding of health, the reality of life. For the recipient, the awareness of mind-body-spirit and the will to initiate a healing process, in which the remission of symptoms is a secondary effect at all (although it should not be underestimated).
But with such presumptuous statements, I realize it did not offer many explanations.
Just as well, because the Craniosacral therapy can not be reduced to a technique can be summed up in a few concepts and acquired with little effort, especially by those therapists and there are many who "collect" heterogeneous techniques you can apply them without thinking a deep interior involvement.
The reader and the student should not be surprised then, if a scheme of this complexity is presented as applied with efficacy, safety and confidence from the first level of study. In fact, like everything that is useful and effective, it first requires a proper mindset (which is no small thing, as it is guessed) and an apparently simple bodily contact and almost no rules. But, in reality, the results surprising that many acknowledge that they occurred from the early sessions of therapy will be more profound and definitive as the student will develop its application to the discipline, which means that every therapist, whatever the level of education and experience has come, will always feel a beginner in the heart and dedicate his life to the ongoing study, practice and to 'upgrade.
"The Eastern way of thinking
mainly consists in turning around the object of contemplation ...
a 'multi-faceted impression, that is multidimensional
formed by the overlapping of individual impressions obtained from different points of view. "
; Lama Govinda
Gradually, almost imperceptibly, the student will find himself confronted with the same concepts and the same techniques believed to have already learned, but viewed from a different angle, with different animations, with a different depth. Each topic will be continually re-addressed in a different and broader perspective, to which each of us, during his years of study, in fact, continue to constantly review and question all that believed it had finally acquired until at that time. Moreover, we will only live life for what it is: life is metabolism, that is, transformation and movement, and movement means continually adapt to the changes. We are not today than we were yesterday, but neither therapy that we use remains the same.
In terms of technical and scientific scope of this manual, as such, concise and didactic, it will be to illustrate clearly the basic techniques, positions, "jacks", which constitute the ' practical aspect of the discipline, just doing simple hints to the fundamental concepts of anatomy and physiology pertaining to the whole craniosacral system. I found it absolutely useless to spend time and space to issues and subjects that each student can deepen the thousands of anatomy books and atlases on the market, but rather, I found it useful to bring my experience and my views on the theoretical and practical aspects of discipline. But the main purpose of the work, summarized in this manual will be to lead the student gradually to a deeper level of knowledge and experience in this following the Eastern method of teaching according to which the understanding of the rules do not can come from words and explanations by the teacher, but born, like lighting, from within each of us, in a process of growing awareness of its role as a therapist, that is, someone who puts his whole self to the service of those who suffer .
Since we have hitherto spoken of doubts and questions, I would draw the reader's attention on that last question, this time, it is usually to ask the teacher to the students. This is the fateful (and purpose vaguely controversial) question: "But because each of you has decided to dedicate himself to this discipline?". Besides, as we said, the answer is linked to an irresistible curiosity for everything that is hidden behind the name "craniosacral balancing," the answers are very brief always the same, and are two: one is "because I feel the need to help others, "the other:" First of all for myself. "
What is inside you, you put yourself there, through your thoughts.
If hatred dwells in you, you shall give just hate
If you are in love and compassion, you give love and compassion.
Only the rich can give.
Those who are poor can not take anything .
Wayne Dyer
In the first case (and we will often deepen the argument during the trial that awaits us), it is the duty of every teacher to draw attention to the fact that the satisfaction of a need, though seemingly noble as that place themselves at the service of others, it means first of all the work, the service takes place, even if directly addressed to the good of others, is actually intended to fill a gap, to win a fear, to distract attention by a trauma that affects us.
Do something for others, also requires knowledge and awareness of what that is, its purpose, its effects, even undesirable. It 's a huge responsibility, because it involves the whole field of human relationship, with its load of affective and emotional values \u200b\u200bin general and not only with the use of aseptic techniques and therapeutic tools.
To give, of course, you first have something important to give. And when, at the cost of sacrifice and commitment, you think you have got enough and be able to share it with others, should be clear why there is at the service of others because, as we said, or it do with love or do not do this.
Love, as saying Chrishnamurti, " is that extraordinary feeling that asks nothing in return." We are sure, when we think of doing something for others, not to be doing really, first of all, something for us? Sure, you may disagree with someone, everything we do should be reported first ourselves, but it makes no sense as well as damage to themselves to do good to another, so it makes no sense to do good to others to do, really good to themselves. And the reason for my assertion is that, for experience, the receiver, who has asked for our help through therapy, is well aware if the therapist is working consciously also for him, not only for himself, and results of treatment in the two cases will be very different.
course, in every therapist, every person that you put at the service of others there also, and primarily, the need for meet their own, very personal and "selfish" needs. But with one difference: the real therapist is not someone who sacrifices himself for others and work in an absolutely disinterested, even at the risk of damage to himself.
The real therapist is one who is aware of what it is, its limitations, its needs, its conditioning , and giving to others always in mind the fact that he is simultaneously giving himself.
Unlike the case of those who, usually with a barely concealed sense of pride, says it wants to follow this path, first of all for himself. In this case, the problem is simple: This person is simply wrong to discipline, planning to take part in a course training therapists to be able to refer only to a series of treatments and then to enrich their cultural or solve some problem that afflicts him.
The study of craniosacral therapy is not learning a set of techniques, but it is a training for those who have already reached the realization that the therapeutic activity (in the broadest sense of the term we use regularly) is not only satisfying their own needs, but the attempt to balance the harmony improve the conditions of their neighbor.
short, holiness is not required to work in the therapeutic sense, but some awareness is required. And this point is so important, who will return often and unexpectedly in various forms, all the way we are following.
Another thing to clarify from the outset is that concerning the relationship between medicine and craniosacral therapy. Although there is a precise plan that would bring in the medical field or under medical supervision in all disciplines that in any way have anything to do with health, I think it must be a definite distinction (which is also a choice of field and vision of life), including those involved in disease, and who is responsible for human health.
Medical science has for its object the disease, craniosacral therapy, the whole person.
The fact that the non-conventional therapies do not take care of the disease is not a limitation due to a legal prohibition, but a statement of principle which arises from a conception health as opposed to the traditional medical science, and which is, indeed, another way of understanding life and reality.
On the one hand, the traditional medical science views reality as an epochal struggle between good and evil, where good is represented (a concept in today's pathetically Enlightenment) by reason and science, while evil takes shape, preferably by means of micro-organisms such as viruses and bacteria in organic disease.
In fact, I believe that evil exists only as its good, which is instead an absolute value, only a myopic view of reality to be able to eradicate evil as a separate entity own, without considering the obvious fact that it is part and parcel of life in all its forms (all that exists, according to the principle of polarity, and according to Taoism, has in it to varying degrees both good and evil). This is why every time you try to root out evil with violence, not least at the same time try to develop the good, the bad side effects she takes it or otherwise prevents full recovery.
is not evil and disease that we must turn our attention (think of this medicine, surgery and pharmacology), but the development of goodness and health.
Not surprisingly, the fury with which more than a century, scientists devote much of their energies and resources of Health to "hunt" for the microorganisms responsible for diseases from cancer to AIDS, (and a few years events responsible for the genetic modification), hoping to find a scapegoat sacrificed as our life is happy and eternal?
Someone has controversially estimated that the same funds used for cancer research (which has led to very little results, as is known), one could improve the living conditions all of humanity simply to prevent, reduce environmental pollution, food and correction of the lifestyle, greater attention to 'health, culture and education, thereby drastically reducing some of the causes of certain disease. ;
Human history is littered instead of these "hunts" to what is different to what we do not understand and do not know. Men with a different color of the skin to witches, from wolves to insects, mice and snakes, man has always felt able to solve its problems by removing physical harm, of the enemy.
Besides the most obvious example that we all in the eyes of the mind is that of Jesus Christ, not simply "cut off", but crucified, according to a ceremony that highlighted reached the domain, through restraint, the evil itself. And examples in history, there are some that many others, from Socrates to Giordano Bruno, M. Luther King to Gandhi.
What this part of humanity does not understand is that every time we fight against something that weakens us and every time we support something that strengthens us.
Conventional medicine seeks to external power, that is, to domination and control of the material world.
She hates evil and its role is to destroy everything that you think is wrong.
The craniosacral therapy aims to improve himself and others and can not even conceive that do violence to others, know that hatred and undermine the fight, and what excites him increase his strength.
The Eastern and esoteric disciplines take for granted the fact that evil is strengthened by giving it attention, and that should drive it out recognize it for what it is, but then ignore it, bringing all of our energies toward what we consider to be positive towards life rather than death.
So then Craniosacral therapy seeks to bring to the surface, the attention of the therapist-receiver system, the positive resources that lie hidden within each of us, freeing them from the chains of pain, trauma, fear , re-emerging only to be recognized, and then "broken down", reworked and transformed into their corresponding positive (that is not how our immune system also acts?).
The spread of so-called non-conventional therapies in many forms, for the reasons we all know, has led to the emergence of a host of great therapists, who may, if it were not for this widespread interest in alternative medicine, they would continue to work in a completely different business sector, depriving the next of their support.
But, of course, the downside is the fact that this common but often superficial interest has led to much confusion in an area where it would first need to they were very clear principles on which it rests. In addition, some practice these disciplines to fashion, or for other reasons pertaining more attempt to solve their existential problems that sincere interest in improving the health of others.
therapists are not required to do, and it is not sufficient to do so, the simple desire to do good and help others.
makes no sense to engage in a challenging course like this just to make a "growth path" individual, ie only for themselves. Craniosacral therapy is a therapy, and as such requires a responsible relationship with a person who suffers, and can not be used alone to solve their personal problems.
The aspirant craniosacral therapist must always keep in mind that the ultimate goal of his career, study, awareness of hundreds of hours of practice, is to help others, not to enrich their curriculum and increase the size one's own self. Otherwise, make fun of ourselves and others.
One last point: as I have already stressed, Craniosacral therapy is a discipline born, developed and spread throughout the Western world, just in the United States. His cultural background, then, is a young country, dynamic, always open to cultural influences.
Craniosacral therapy has developed into the then socio-economic and cultural west, one in which modern science has developed, from quantum physics to medicine (Western, in fact), from computer science to psychoanalysis.
Given these bases, it is open to any influence that could broaden their horizons and therapeutic due to its lack of rigid schematic, it can match the principles of neuroscience Psychoneuroimmunology and those of traditional medicine Chinese and Oriental philosophies, and body contact can be applied according to the scheme feel that every therapist is more effective, the search for the "outbreak" of its homotoxicology to Ayurveda Chakra.
This, in my opinion, this treatment gives a breath of life (it is must be said), which frees the therapist and recipient need to make constant reference to cultural impositions restrictive and sectarian. For example, if the operator feels the need to undertake a harmonization of the chakras, you can put this technique in the craniosacral treatment, but may also not strictly follow the protocol and the sequence of activation or perception of the chakras themselves, if it deems appropriate, without feeling guilty for his "disobedience."
At the same time, however, Craniosacral therapy has its own very individual aspect, the general principles of which are clearly observed: New Age is not a technique, applicable after a few hours of practice, perhaps mixed with other techniques based on different principles. E ', if I pass the time, a libertarian framework, which, as such, taxation and rejects any dogmatic construction. It can not be distorted in its meaning, the application of patterns, rituals or classifications going to clash against the principles, including above all those that are strictly scientific underpinning.
The therapist who, for cultural education, is used to greet the customer bowing with folded hands, it is absolutely free to do so, but will have an obligation to ensure that his gesture is not misinterpreted or otherwise objectionable customer, nor can he compel the customer to take ritual gestures that are outside. Remember, treatment means being at the service of someone we who must adapt to customer needs and allow him to speak in a more spontaneous and natural.
Unfortunately, I often work with therapists, novel principles of the Night, recoiled in horror in front of a client who crossed her fingers or cross your legs during the treatment, or rebuked fellow therapist who applied their hands on the recipient's body crossing arms. These manifestations of childish dogmatism, founded on the belief that certain positions blocking the recall of positive energy and negative, in my opinion, should be erased from the baggage of a serious Craniosacral therapy: the energy is too serious for those who deal with it does not have an open mind and a scientific basis: the energy, the message, information, because they stop material flow within the channel which has taken a position rather than another and that is not crossing her legs in the therapeutic relationship will end. If anything, it's true that certain positions make it easy to relax and are a sign of relaxation, while others show discomfort or "closure" of the customer, but our job is not simply to induce a state of well-being, and every location, every sign, every movement of the receiver should be read for meaning as expressed (discomfort, closures, of nervousness and agitation), it is important for the therapist, not fix it, interpret it as acting accordingly. But that is another matter, more strictly science, that we will face during the study and practice, trying to free us, during the journey, of all unnecessary weight.