Holistic Practice and How It's All Coming Together

"Never stop learning because life never stops teaching" was a quote often shared by one of the instructors when I was studying Massage Therapy. She was right, and her words have had such an impact on me through my years as a Holistic Practitioner.

During the last day of instruction of the Level 1 Advanced Craniosacral Therapy training that I’m currently taking, I had an “a ha” moment. I realized that what I was learning was bringing together all that I’ve learned, practiced, understood and taught in the holistic health field through the past 34 years. A moment when all of my understandings and beliefs clicked, made sense and pointed to the path forward in what I do. It's a little overwhelming and difficult to put into words, but I will try.

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As a holistic practitioner I strongly agree with the understanding of how interconnected our mind, body and spirit are, in each individual's well-being. I witness it daily with clients, as well as within myself. I also believe that our amazing bodies have an innate ability for deep healing, if allowed time and space to do so.

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The barrier to self healing appears to be the never-ending busyness of a world filled with distractions. We spend so much of our time living in our heads (minds) rather than maintaining a continuous awareness of our body and spirit. Yes, there are added environmental challenges to our natural state of wellness as well.

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​I have always maintained that choosing between holistic modalities and western medicine should not be an either/or decision. They integrate well together.

I have also always believed that each client who comes to see me knows themself and their body much better than anyone else. I trust that you are feeling and experiencing the way that you say you are, and that your sessions should empower a sense of trust in yourself. (Read more here)

All of the holistic therapies that I have learned, experienced and currently offer to clients share an opportunity for a temporary time-out from the busyness of the world. They promote relaxation, ease pain on physical and emotional levels and encourage a return to our natural state of well-being. When I suggest ways to care for yourself at home, in between your holistic sessions, it is because they will help to expand upon that temporary time-out and be of further benefit.

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​I’ve practiced Craniosacral Therapy for 28 years with clients experiencing good results. What I am realizing with the advanced training is that Craniosacral Therapy addresses similar issues and concerns as the other modalities that I offer, but on a gentler and deeper level of healing.

I did a quick compare and contrast for myself.

• Marma Point Therapy has taught me to stimulate points on the body that open the pathways to each person's natural inner pharmacy. Advanced Craniosacral encourages me to be directed by each person's inner physician (yes, you have one). That ensures that, rather than a series of points meant to serve every “body”, I am tuning in to what you are specifically needing.

 

• Massage Therapy has taught me to force a knot or adhesion out of a muscle in order to ease pain and strain. Advanced Craniosacral has taught me that through gently providing slack, space and direction, the body will realign itself. The body knows what to do without me forcing it.
  
  
• Reiki has helped clients to draw energy into areas where they need it and I find that, if open to Reiki energy, those experiencing a Craniosacral Therapy session will draw Reiki as well. The advanced Craniosacral has taught me that there are subtle movements within the physical body and that it’s possible to detect where there may be a 'stuckness' or lack of mobility in how energy is moving.
  
  
• With Reflexology I apply techniques to nerve endings in clients feet or hands to encourage relaxation, improved circulation and stimulation. With Advanced Craniosacral I feel the rhythm of movement throughout the Craniosacral system as that rhythm moves through the entire body. That mobility, or lack of, gives direction as to where there may be tension held in the body. When eased, the entire nervous system shifts into rest and digest mode.
  
  
• ​My past training in Craniosacral Therapy put me near to where the cause of an issue was, the advanced training puts me right on it. Rather than referred pain areas, the techniques move towards the cause, while paying attention to that body’s history.

I have learned so much more about taking time rather than using pressure, to allow the body to respond, to wait for the release of tension to happen. Practicing on both myself and others, it’s been amazing to witness the shifts and changes that happen.

I’ve learned how powerful it is to hold space for a client, and how much physical, emotional and spiritual healing can be had just by encouraging stillness in the body’s Nervous System. How beneficial it is to bring a client out of their sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) into parasympathetic (rest and digest) right at the start of a session. That often allows a client to feel more deeply, just what is going on for them.

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​There have been other smaller things that I will learn more about, such as tongue posture and the impact it has on tension in the jaw and neck. How the birth experience impacts a baby’s skull and spine and how small releases in tension can bring about big changes.

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As I continue with the next 3 levels of advanced training I’m confident that it will only expand upon my understanding of how everything I do is clicking together. I do see a time where I may put aside some of the holistic therapies that I offer because this advanced  training gives clients more. And that is what the past years have been about, giving the best of my skills and experience to help clients feel better in mind, body and spirit.