by SharonHartnett | May 6, 2014 | Craniosacral Therapy
Dr. John Upledger is the founder and creator of the Upledger Institute.
While I had not been blessed to study directly under Dr. John, I have enjoyed working with Dr. Chas Perry of Integrative Intentions, an Advanced Teacher who teaches Craniosacral Therapy at its’ very best. He stays true to the basic principals of the Institute and travels around the world spreading this fantastic work. He also is in charge of the inter-species program with the dolphins and in bringing people together for comprehensive intensives. Personally, I have been deeply transformed with CST, especially with the aquatic dolphin experiences.
In my experience as an Advanced Certified CST, I have seen Craniosacral Therapy work wonders on helping people to find balance, a new vitality and to heal on a very deep level. While I feel comfortable speaking about the many benefits of this type of work, I wanted to also bring you a video of one of my teachers in order to give you another perspective. Take a moment to watch this to see if it answers any questions you may have of CST.
Chas Perry from Helgi Sverrisson on Vimeo.
Sharon Hartnett LMT
Columbus, Ohio
(740) 966-5153
www.massageincolumbusohio.com
by SharonHartnett | Apr 15, 2014 | Craniosacral Therapy, Massage, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, thought for the day
If we want to continue to Grow and Evolve, it is necessary to open the mind to the body’s own wisdom. By bringing our conscious awareness to our body’s breathing, movement and dialogue, we continue to learn from our internal experience and stay healthier.
Human Evolution
As an experienced massage therapist and bodyworker, I am no longer surprised by how many people spend the majority of time living in their thinking head. I know this may sound crazy to some of you, but there is so much more to us then the thoughts we have been thinking for so long. There is a whole blissful pool of intelligence Within that is Light and the key to our human evolution.
Exploring our bodies with curiosity, through witnessing and and experiencing will help us to feel more deeply connected to the core of our lives.
For yourself, take some time to expand your life and move one step ahead into the fullness of your life!
Lighten Up Therapies is happy to help you on your journey too.
Call Sharon Hartnett LMT at:
(614) 372-6598
www.massageincolumbusohio.com
by SharonHartnett | Apr 4, 2014 | Craniosacral Therapy, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K
To Quiet the Mind… That can be a challenge for those who experience ADHD symptoms.
A Challenge: For children and young adults with ADHD, it may be a test to just get them up on a massage table. They get distracted easily and it may take some time to have them follow the basic directions to prepare for a massage. In fact, initially they may want to avoid table work altogether as the idea itself to quiet down is uncomfortable. However, by building a trusting and calm relationship, supportive somatic listening and therapy can create healthy contact and allow new information to enter an overly active system to help re-center and re-organize. Believe it- that when a busy mind can rest- new focus and concentration can be the end result. Even better, when more fully integrated, it’s easier to fit in and feel comfortable with ourselves and in our lives.
Reducing Stress
How Massage and Craniosacral Therapy can Help
One of the most amazing experiences is when a busy mind actually finds the space to quiet down, even if only for a moment. When this happens the whole body can relax and find a deeper peace. It’s like a “remembering” into ease. In our society, most of us are taught to be active most of the time. We are very goal oriented and can be very stressful when in constant extreme. But do we also promote stillness and meditation with the same intention? Learning how to be mindful and quiet can take practice and it is possible for everyone to find mindfulness. For those with ADHD, to take it a step further- massage and bodywork can be key in helping one to re-establish contact with inner stillness.
One of the quieting tools that Craniosacral Therapy brings to a session is the Stillpoint.
The still point is a technique that a Craniosacral Therapist may induce. The cerebral spinal fluid comes to a pause and the adhesions and restrictions around the brain and spine begin to release as the system is flushed out by the rebuilding of fluid pressure. Often clients will relax to such a deep level that they fall asleep or find a sense of empty spaciousness. It may take time for people with ADHD to have this type of experience, but as sessions progress, the nervous system self-corrects. It can be such a relief.
When clients come into balance, it often helps their self-esteem and naturally builds confidence. No matter what the challenge, it is important that people learn how to rest equally to their abilities to achieve. Our bodies and minds are meant to touch into equilibrium.
Why not try a new experience and commit to an Integrative Self-Care system to help reduce your ADHD symptoms?
Sharon Hartnett CST
(614) 372-6598
Columbus, Ohio
by SharonHartnett | Mar 21, 2014 | Craniosacral Therapy, Massage, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, mind body & spirit
Does Your Child have ADHD?
It’s sometimes difficult to distinguish whether your child is suffering from actual ADHD or experiencing life with a typically high activity level with a short attention span. But what a parent does know is that it can be challenging trying to fit their kids into a mainstream educational system without some extra support.
Regulating life through New Sensory Input.
At Lighten Up Therapies, we are not so concerned where your child falls in the spectrum of ADHD, but instead we choose to focus on giving your child a new integrative mind, body & spirit experience. We have been intrigued with the success that Craniosacral Therapy has had with young people in helping them to self-regulate and be more comfortable in their daily lives. A quote that describes our outlook to healing is well spoken by Moshe Feldenkrais, “What I’m after isn’t flexible bodies, but flexible minds and to restore each person to their human dignity.” So how do we help children to find more joy and emotional balance through massage and bodywork?
It’s very helpful to imagine the mind as being inclusive of the whole body, and if you can even go outside the box a little further, into the complete human energy field. When we can allow kids to become mindful of their physical self and subtle energies if only for a few minutes here and there during a session, the brain becomes better informed. Sensory information attained through the fascial and nervous system can enliven the DNA to express itself in a new way and change our thinking and expression. By touching into the continuous web of dialogue, children can become better educated to find quiet and self-correction
One of the first things that is helpful for children during a session is to induce a still point. A still point is a period of time in which the cerebral spinal flow comes to a rest, allows improved circulation to the brain, and helps relieve adhesions around the brain’s membranes and spine. Still points can be very calming and nourishing to the nervous system. It may take time with children who don’t want to sit still, but with patience, still point is a practice that can be taught to parents and felt deeply relaxing by their children. One of the best things a practitioner can do is give their clients tools to take home to carry the work forward.
While children with ADHD might initially avoid this type of experience, eventually- the new felt sense of the subtle work of Craniosacral regulation will begin to take root. The calm will open the doorway to a more relaxed sense of wellbeing. At this point, we can then proceed with checking the diaphragms for release, listening to the flow around the spine and brain, and to encourage symmetry, strength and coherence within all the systems. With this work, as the structure changes, so does the way the energy moves The internal environment can integrate with the mind body & spirit sense of reconnection!
One of the best things you can do it interview. Sharon Hartnett LMT CST offers 15 minute free phone sessions to answer your questions at:
(614) 372-6598
Helping your children to become more focused and centered is an experiential commitment. It often takes time to see improvements, but in most cases, dramatic change does show up.
If you would like to try a session to gain your own first hand experience of Craniosacral Therapy, ask for $10.00 of your first session.
by SharonHartnett | Mar 15, 2014 | Craniosacral Therapy, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, Structural Integration
When muscles are stuck in either over-contracted or over-stretched positions, you’ll often find reduced functioning in that area of the body.
In order to find the best treatment to reduce this type of strain and help nourish overworked muscles, look to supporting healthy fascia through modalities such as: Structural Integration, Craniosacral Therapy or exercises like Yamuna Ball Rolling or Feldenkrais. Through fascial manipulation and mindful movement, it is very possible to restore full body movement. By reopening the adhesions in the tissue, one is able to to restore fluid flow and help the nervous system to enliven, as well as correct the misalignment which helped contribute to that pull.
Finding Healthy Structure through Balance
This adhesion gives you a good view of deformed fascia. As people get older, lifetime stresses often play a significant factor in how we relate within and to our environments. Accidents, illnesses, repetitive motion, and stress can all take us all off kilter. The resulting tension patterns take us out of effortless motion and tend to create pain over time. Fortunately, for us, the fascia is able to self correct through a practitioner’s or proper exercise of gentle pushes and pulls of this continuous fabric of life. Whether you go to a Fascial Bodyworker, or choose to check into using tools such as the balls, Melt Tube,or instructional movement DVDS, it is easy to improve your health by lengthening and unwinding rotations and twists. As the tissues unfold and lubricate, there is more space for movement and nourishment to organs, muscles, and bones. And- we all want to feel our best, right?
The first thing to do to stabilize and balance the body is to find a therapist who will help bring self awareness to you about your fascial body. Learning mindfulness with the body is pivotal in taking responsibility for one’s health. Many people are not familiar with the web-like fasical system and do not know how important it is in regards to postural balance. Yet once a conscious relationship is awakened, you’ll be surprised how simple it is to gain more flexibility and energy. It’s a shame that this system has not been investigated more thoroughly in the past as it is a life altering element of health and wellness. Getting yourself educated by experienced people and good literature will ultimately help you stay in charge for your own life. Take some time to read about all the new finding regarding the role of fascia in the field of wellness. A good place to start is: http://www.theiasi.net/new-to-structural-integration-
Once you have found the best bodyworker for you, make sure that there is educational dialogue. Each person develops in his/her own unique way. It is valuable to share the type of touch that works best for you even with the most experienced therapist. If you have any previous trauma, whether physical, emotional or whatever… please let us know because the best sessions are where there is respect for boundaries and good listening. Sometimes it is the case that the body will allow one in, but repetitive thought patterns and the emotion energy behind that can bring about strong resistance and responses in other levels of consciousness. The whole of a person must be addressed for deep healing and respect of the process and this holistic model is the key to success. The fascia is a continuous web of connective tissue that is responsible for posture. Whatever history you bring into the session will begin to unravel as the whole body changes, and organically many different experiences unfold.
On a personal note, I like to ask my clients not to work out very hard while going through a ten series. Often muscles building can lead to overuse and weaknesses that may be unconscious or imbalanced. It is beneficial to allow the 10 weeks to be dedicated to feeling the body open and lengthen naturally. Personally, I also like to advise clients to use rollers and balls to work each day to keep the fascia hydrated, layered and softer. By the time the client feels a 10 series from the superficial work to the deeper layers and such, he/she (if they have been mindful of their bodies), will feel a dramatic shift into freer mobility, increased energy and integration.
Fascial work originally was brought to attention by Ida Rolf. Since her time, there are now many wonderful graduated practitioners across the globe from schools such as the Institute for Structural Integration,The Rolf Institute,The Upledger Institute, Tom Meyers School and more. The research that is being done is exciting and coming more into the mainstream of the medical community. In my own Private Practice,I have seen people who have lived with years of pain, release and find themselves feeling freer and happier than in previous years. It is always a pleasure to see my clients walking away with more essence and vitality in their step.
Fascial work is so exciting because it can help so many people to feel more deeply and alive. If you have any questions, please call Sharon Hartnett LMT for a free 15 phone consultation.
(740) 966-5153
Columbus, Ohio
by SharonHartnett | Mar 2, 2014 | Craniosacral Therapy, Massage, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, Structural Integration
Chest Pain can be caused by many different circumstances…
If you feel any mechanical restrictions or ongoing pain, make sure that you see a doctor and get your questions answered. However, if everything checks out there, you might find great benefit in finding a Structural Integration or Myofascial Massage Therapist to help you relieve the pain and discomfort.
The first question I would ask as a Massage Therapist regarding thoracic pain is whether you have been in any car accidents. Automobile accidents have become one of the leading reasons why clients come in for help due to thoracic restrictions. When a person crashes, upon the impact, the human body encounters extraordinary pressure. The energy force that moves through is absorbed mainly into the soft tissues around the sternum, clavicles and ribs. The seatbelt area in particular is a place that may feel painful since it holds the body back while the rest of the body jets forward. For clients who have been in an accident, this information allows us to have an idea of how the body was impacted during the crash and give us a direction on how to treat. Other probable causes for structural thoracic pain to be considered might be falling, birth traumas, being physically hit, or any type of trauma that has exerted force through this part of the body. When you come in for intake, it is important for you to relate your history so that we have a thorough understanding of any traumas to the body.
During a session, once you get on the table, we move to a more sensory type of experience. Over the years, a Fascial Massage Therapist learns to feel the subtle layers of connective tissue and how it is organized. We palpate for adhesions, disturbances, lack of motion, and all imbalances. We observe the breathing and notice where it is stuck and where it moves freely.The body gives us all the clues we need to help create more space and flexibility. In particular with the upper thoracic pain, I like to ask my clients to bring mindfulness to their breathing during this type of work. It is amazing how much information people will learn about themselves when they quiet down and be curious about their own basic functioning. What clients with upper chest pain often notice is that there is little moving there at all. Most of the breathing is in the belly and stops before it moves superiorly. It’s important to explore this to help open up the upper chest. Mindful breathing and releasing the breath and any sound is a constructive way to bring ease and flow back into the thoracic area.
Once these patterns of restriction can been observed, it’s time to free up the affected structures. Personally, I begin by using general superficial movements to allow the fascia to get a basic stretch.My intention is pay attention to the diaphragm and thoracic inlet to release them for better breathing and to improve general overall efficient functioning in the area.As I do this, generally smaller and tighter restrictions will also reveal themselves. When I find the smaller spaces that are fixed, we spend more time exploring breathing and my movements into the tissue until we get the tissues to spread and/or unwind. When the layers begin to differentiate and flow over each other more freely, we have achieved success. This ongoing process goes on around the whole thoracic area (including the ribcage) until the breath starts to expand more equally from the front of the upper body to the back.
With the general work said and done, it is next important to check out the joint restrictions. I usually begin by exploring the clavicle and how it relates to the sternum. Some work around the shoulders with gentle manipulations will help allow confined articulations to clear through deep seated patterns.Touching into the sternomanubrial joint with compression and decompression with help repair tension imbalances. Using opposing movements facially from the back to front to engage the tissues will bring about more vitality and rehydration. The idea is to begin to get the body moving on these different layers of fascia to that everything within begins to re-engage with itself and the other. This is what creates health and wellness.
When our bodies face trauma, often the body self-corrects as much as it knows how. However, when a heavy energy force enters the body, often there are residual imbalances that may ended up keeping you stuck out of alignment. Soft tissues, mostly the fascia, are key to work if you want to release habitual distorted structural patterns in the body. You don’t have to live in pain. It is possible to begin to feel better.
Relieve the Pain
If you have more questions about feeling healthier in your body, call Sharon Hartnett for a free 15 minute phone consultation.
Sharon Hartnett LMT, SI, CST
Columbus, Ohio
(740) 966-5153
www.massageincolumbusohio.com
