by SharonHartnett | Apr 27, 2015 | Aromatherapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Energy Healing, Massage, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, mind body & spirit, Structural Integration, thought for the day
Feeling stressed out by life?
Everyone feels stressed out at least occasionally. Through all of life’s cycles, growth opportunities pop up presenting us with challenges that push against our boundaries. This can make us feel uncomfortable or stressed out. Fortunately, many of us have had positive influences that have taught us how to navigate through rather difficult times efficiently. But when we don’t know how to cope well any longer, then what? Is it possible to take these stresses and turn them around to make ourselves better?
We have to remember that if we change our perspectives about our difficulties, the rest of the energy supporting the stress will shift too.
Craniosacral Therapy relieves stress.
Remember that:
- Overload is just about how we perceive a certain situation.
- The way our bodies habitually respond to stress can be re-organized into a healthier response.
- We are in charge of how we interact with the world in which we live.
Anything that you believe poses a threat to your way of being can cause stress. So how does your mind, body and spirit let go of any ideas of danger?
- Being mindful of your own experience is a good place to begin. By bringing attention to both your internal and external environment, you will begin to see what ignites stress. Some of the physiological signs might be: slower digestion, heart rate rises, muscles contract, breathing quickens, and it may be difficult to sleep. While you are experiencing the thought and the energy behind the stress, be curious and observant. This is a good way to practice meditation.
- Receiving massage and bodywork has been shown to reduce stress, including modalities such as Craniosacral Therapy, Trigger Point, Structural Integration and the light moving touch of Swedish as well. Feeling deeply into the body re-educates how we think and helps us re-route into a more relaxed and calm state of being.
- Body centered psychotherapies can be very helpful as well. For example, Hakomi is based on peaceful methods of bringing awareness to your experience and trying on different perspectives. This can give you new ways to view life down to the cellular level. This therapy is different than typical talk therapy as the main focus is bringing attention to the body to open the doorway to your consciousness.
- Physical Exercise pumps up your endorphins. Stress melts away. A good workout helps you to feel healthier and feel more alive.
- Deep breathing can help slower the heart rate and decrease your blood pressure. A commitment to yoga practice will certainly give you opportunities to experience stress relief.
- Aromatherapy with oils from Young Living Oils or Doterra can help you to relax in a nice bath or with a foot massage before you go to sleep. The intention of using the oils for health and good self-care can be very helpful if you are feeling anxious or imbalanced.
- Finding a good chiropractor who works with stability as well as flexibility can do wonders in helping you feel better aligned. When the spine is healthy, life looks a lot more positive!
- Byron Katie has come up with 4 questions that will help you change your life. Her worksheets are free online and you can view her on Youtube. Check out www.thework.com.
- Gentle movement exercises like Felderkrais or Continuum will awaken your deeper sense of centeredness.
- Eckhart Tolle is known for bringing out focus “Into the Now”. His teachings can help one to let go of suffering and stress by recognizing our tendencies to live in the past and future rather than being Present.
Remember that If stress is interfering with your life’s purpose and health, it’s time to do something different that will help you resource your internal skills to help you move through life with more ease. There are practices you can do alone, in a class, or with the help of a professional. The more serious the issue with anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD it is best to find the right professional with good experience and references.
Let your stress pass right through by taking good care of you.
Sharon Hartnett LMT, CST, SI
(740) 966-5153
Facilitating with Craniosacral Therapy, Myofascial Release, Structural Integration, Reiki, The Work, Brennan Healing and more. See www.massageincolumbusohio.com for more information.
by SharonHartnett | Apr 16, 2015 | Craniosacral Therapy, Energy Healing, Massage, mind body & spirit
What is Somato-Emotional Release (SER)?
SER begins with an atmosphere of trust, respect, and gentle touch.
Often when I work with clients for a period of time, long-held negative beliefs and residual trauma energy can start to come to surface. This may be a small gentle reminder of an uncomfortable feeling, a tear running down a cheek or a deep anxiety or stress that has energetically been frozen within the cells. We call this an “energy cyst from a Craniosacral Therapy perspective. The energy from the historic trauma isolates itself as a compensation but it not entirely let go.
The Upledger Craniosacral approach to working with Somato-Emotional Release involves a very natural type of presence and touch into the Cranosacral system that supports the process of releasing old trauma’s such as: car accidents, PTSD, warfare, violence, divorce or any type of experience that feels overwhelming. If the cycle of feelings does not complete itself, it remains until given the opportunity to heal. By dialoguing with the Craniosacral System, the true intelligence within will lead the way to self-correct into health and wellbeing. Craniosacral Therapy is a professional therapeutic modality that balances, restore and brings greater awareness to clients.
Craniosacral Columbus
The old painful messages melt away and give way to the Present moment.
By taking the road of self-discovery with CST, new awareness will help you to make better choices in your life with more clarity and heart. Bringing the physical, feelings, beliefs and heart into coherence opens the door to health and wellbeing.
Sharon Hartnett Craniosacral Therapist Columbus
614 653-8111
Serving the Columbus, Ohio Area
For information, go to my main page.
by SharonHartnett | Apr 7, 2015 | Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K
Myofascial Release therapy is focused on the attention given to improving the posture and flexibility in the body.
Who can benefit from this type of work?
Myofascial Massage is very beneficial for chronic pain issues, body imbalances, as well as people suffering from stiffness and lack of range of motion. Working with the fascia can help those with autism, people who have experienced trauma and others living with arthritis. No matter what sport you play or activity in which you engage, athletes who are wanting to improve their performance by finding better length in lines and movement often find enhanced performance. In my practice, I have seen myofascial work truly helps people to feel more energized and in tune with their functionality.
Myofascial Release
How is myofascial massage different than typical swedish massage?
This type of work is definitely different than typical massage. When working with fascia, the massage therapist does not use a lubricant. This is so we can differentiate between the layers of fascia to unravel and and help release restrictions in the tissues and along the spine. The goal is to stretch and loosen the body so that all the organs and other structures can let go in their most optimal and relaxed position. Many times clients say that this work last longer. They feel dramatically different, especially after a 10 series of Structural Integration.
How does Myofascial Work help specifically with Sports Performance?
In regards to Sports Performance, myofascial release can help give athletes that extra edge. Often when people train hard, they can get into repetitive habits. By touching into the various different fascial planes of the fascial web, the body opens to newer movements throughout. There is a functional and structural connection between all of the body’s soft and hard tissues. By addressing the whole body, motion gains better relationship to gravity again and again. Athletes young and old can benefit from myofascial work.
www.massageincolumbusohio.com
Sharon Hartnett LMT, CST, Si
Columbus, Ohio
740 966-5153
by SharonHartnett | Jan 26, 2015 | Craniosacral Therapy, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K
In Daily life, most people stay busy, and it’s easy to become distracted.
One of the best things that I like best about Craniosacral Therapy, is that it creates a sacred space for silence. During a session, clients lay on a table fully clothed, close their eyes, and relax. Stress is let go. In the quiet of the moment, many layers of consciousness have the time and ability to arise and be expressed. For many people, this means that they have a unique opportunity to be mindful, introspective and have an experiential of unfolding. Wonderful healing can take place, along with integration and growth.
I believe that this state of Grace in awakening is always available to us, however; it’s easy to miss due all the things we schedule or how we decide to live. It is in our best interest to balance action with receiving, thereby giving us the chance to live in “Being”.
As a Certified Craniosacral Therapist, my priority is to align with “listening” and help my clients to find their Inner Physician through resonance. What this means is that I focus on the CST rhythm primarily as it allows me to emphasize around the brain and spinal cord and how they relate to the rest of the body. By supporting balance, strength, rate and symmetry, the client optimizes through inner dialogue in the moment. In many instances, one can feel this as the therapeutic pulse picks up and sounds its healing potential. In other cases, tissues release and energy is flows or an electrical buzz travels under the fingers. In addition to the CSR (Craniosacral Rhythm), there are so many other things going on that intuition can lead me towards-the beating of the heart, the way the body moves with each inhale and exhale, the sound that loudens or softens as the body changes, all of these have a voice that the wisdom of the body is ready to reveal. By using the fascia and the bones as my prime manual tools, change is encouraged and a sense of wellbeing is the end result.
Another reason why I recommend Craniosacral Therapy to many people is that it is very gentle. This type of hands on therapy can be used during pregnancy, right after birth to seniors with sensitive skin and/or health issues. We use about a nickels worth of pressure until the tissue takes us deeper. No forcing or tough manipulating. Yet believe it or not- profound change can occur through this quiet listening and supporting through the craniosacral system.
If you are needing some help with energizing, or quieting CST is quite helpful. If you are in pain- helping restrictions or adhesions to dissolve opens the pathways to healthier dialogue. The body is a whole being and awakening it to its possibilities is exciting as it brings one back to center and wellness.
FAQ Page
Sharon Hartnett CST-D
Worthington, Ohio|Serving the Columbus Area
614 653-8111
To find out more about Craniosacral Therapy, check out my main page.
by SharonHartnett | Jan 17, 2015 | Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, thought for the day
In this post, I want to share my personal experience in what has helped me to move forward in life…
Compassionate Witness
When I first began to questions my existence and purpose as a young adult, I headed myself over to a psychotherapist. My life was good, on the outside things were bright, and I knew that my life was blessed. Yet something deeper was calling me and I didn’t know how to connect to my life’s longing. I didn’t know how to sort through confusing thoughts and feelings.
My first step: I found a person who listened and asked me questions. This woman was somebody who really gave me time and consideration. In exchange, I paid, and this was a healthy balance. My sharing was real and expressed, and it felt great to be acknowledged. To have someone help me discover my own path from my own curiosity and wisdom was truly a gift. To be the center of my own Universe and have that be good was healthy for me. This was the first of many experiences for me to be listened to in such a way.
After that, I realized the continued importance of having someone listen who would be objective and not invested in my outcome. Someone who wasn’t a friend or a family member, but a person who could just “Be” with me as I rolled through the ups and downs of life. Eventually, this led me to the Barbara Brennan School of Healing where we learned “listening”, “contact”, “witnessing, experiencing and asking” as foundational skills to be a healer. While I attended the school I did at least the required 18 personal therapy sessions a year, usually more. I found that in the space of the objective listener, that my mind opened and I could see opportunities for change unleash my restrictive conscious patterns. Areas where I felt pain, cleared up, and my heart connected with new friends, community and my relationships expanded. I learned to be with others in 1:1 relationships and also in the midst of a group process, able to hold space for others and I heard and recovered their stories.
With this great expansion of listening, other teachings caught my attention…. Hakomi- which is a Masters Level teaching in Organic Unfolding with most of the students being in the field of Psychotherapy or Integrative healing. In this School, I finally understood that no internal experience was bad or good, but rather a learning opportunity as part of my experience as a human being. The listening techniques used in Hakomi are soft, gentle and support the unfolding of the essence of each session. It was a miracle that I could study these learnings and share them with others. It was a blessing to be able to incorporate these skills into my daily life.
Other techniques or schools that drew me in were the Upledger Institute with Somato-Emotional Release and courses with Pat Ogden to learn about trauma. In both of the fields, the emphasis again was listening and encouraging self-authority and empowerment. I loved learning about listening and just taking the present moment. There is always a teacher is you are wanting to learn and grow.
With all of this and much more study than I mentioned, I learned that when my clients come in, that I could now provide a rich and Sacred Space environment where people could speak, express, dance, hide, or shout without judgment to the best of my ability. It is in this gentle process, that clients lie on the table and can allow their body’s, their energy dynamics and their voice to be heard with compassion in a space of deep listening. With listening, I can take in the stories on a verbal cue. But what most excites me is the journey into silence and connection. When people are available to listen, people can come closer together in the most profound touching of the souls. Two can become One, and One becomes Zero.
When I saw that Carolyn Myss had written the above quote, I thought to myself, “how well said”. We each need somebody to listen to us objectively and to then ask us inquiry that will nurture us as the creative force is born within.
In this day and age, I wonder how it would be to live in a world where people truly listened, where all cultures and religions dropped their divisive beliefs so that we could all take in the beauty of each other and remove all the obstacles that we believe and adhere to that keep us one step farther from God.
The Sacred Witness… What would it be like to sit in silence each day and develop this skill even further?
Sharon Hartnett LMT, SI, CST
(614) 372-6598
www.massageincolumbusohio.com
I thank all my teachers who have ever listened to me with a sympathetic ear, and given me an opportunity to mature and evolve.
