Craniosacral Therapy, by Sarah Solano

My first experience receiving craniosacral therapy was during my last term of massage school. I had recently lost my "soul dog", Penny, and my body was holding so much grief. In massage school we learned how to support clients through emotional release on the table and I had witnessed classmates have emotions come to the surface during practice sessions. Until that day, I had never experienced it myself. 

Within minutes of settling onto the table, tears began leaking from my eyes. I remember feeling like I didn't need to apologize for my tears -- there was a quiet acceptance in the room that felt deeply safe. From there, I moved through waves of sensation, at times literally feeling like I was bobbing along on calm waters. 

With Swedish or deep tissue massage, I sometimes notice patterns of holding in my own body -- clenching one muscle group as another is being worked on, or bracing in anticipation of a feel-good stroke up my back into my neck. It can feel like my muscles need to "perform". With craniosacral therapy, I am able to safely sink into a profound sense of softening. 

That session stayed with me. It planted the seed for my own study of craniosacral therapy, which I have pursued since graduating. Now, as a practitioner of this modality, I feel honored to offer this same kind of quiet support to my clients-- the kind that isn't about fixing or pushing, but gently inviting. Inviting the nervous system to find safety. Inviting the possibility of imagining something different, what if? Or simply noticing and accepting, what is.

Photo credit: Harry Phạm

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