Sensing into the Ticklish Body

by SharonHartnett | Nov 2, 2024 | Craniosacral Therapy, healing, mind body & spirit

Ticklish

Have you gone to get a pedicure only to find that your feet are super ticklish. Or maybe a massage where you twist and turn at the hips, the legs or under the armpits as the laughter bubbles up?

This is not unusual. After working close to 30 years with people, mostly on the table, my curiosity asked me again to consider what this ticklish business is all about. I have experienced more than a few people start to smile and laugh at the same time as trying to move away. Especially with light touch. Obviously, these two reactive expressions seem a bit at odds, right? You know how that feels when you want to get away from the tickles with your eyes sparkling while your legs twitch and activate to run away.

Not all things are equal when it comes to tickling. Usually the places where we are most ticklish are the location with a high amounts of nerve endings. Some places on the body may feel quite soothed with the same quality touch as compared to the ticklish zones. What I have read is that areas like the bottom of the feet or the rib cage are more vulnerable. Who knows how true this always is but it does makes sense from what I have experienced. What is known though is that the ticklish response is a mind (hypothalamus part of the brain) body communication between the brain and body when you don’t feel comfortable with what is happening. What I have seen is that tickles mean the body is reacting to not feeling safe. It’s usually a pattern which is reactive to outside and unexpected influences.

As a Craniosacral Therapist and bodyworker for so many years, I have found it intriguing and fun to help people work through the “tickles”. Especially since I have been so curious about the differences between the many other people who actually quietly enjoy the light stroking while on the other hand invokes the ticking response from others. So, if the body draws me into an area and I see the dynamic begin, I like to ask if we can explore the ticklish sensation. This is done with mindful consideration, and also permission. We explore the feelings and the sensations together. Quite often, the brain becomes desensitized by helping the person to release the associated energy fairly quick. Sometimes it is actually fun because the client laughs genuinely as they let go of the protective response. A light seems to go on for the ticklish person that this is a life strategy and it can be funny too.

Personally, my feet have always been ticklish. I was often tickled as a child. I liked it-perhaps because of the smiles and attention, but it stressed my body. What I do know is if a child is tickled, and it doesn’t stop, the body holds that tension. Whatever the reason for your ticklishness, consider it may be a protective mechanism, and it is possible to honor your body and also to free it from the feedback loop. Makes me think that one day I might need to go have my tickles set free from my feet as I write this. Smile.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

How to Calm the ADHD Mind

by SharonHartnett | Oct 31, 2024 | Craniosacral Therapy, healing, healthy

How ADHD can be better treated with Craniosacral Therapy

ADHD is best diagnosed by a physician. Although, for those of us who have it, we probably have a good idea that we are challenged, have a difficult time with organizing, and can sometimes feel anxious or feel very self-judgmental.

ADHD can look different among different groups of people. Men have been studied more thoroughly, for example, than women. One symptom in particular that can present differently between the genders is hyperactivity. Some act out, but often women may feel more of an inner stress, and overwhelm. So it’s good to find an experienced professional to determine what is the best protocol for you to make life easier. Personally, I enjoy listening to Dr. Amen talk about the brain’s function, and how he treats ADHD. Very evidenced based.

Also, I have found that Craniosacral Therapy can be very helpful in treating ADHD as well. At first, sometimes a person on the table feels very stimulated. Closing the eyes and feeling inward may take some time. However hard this can be initially, eventually they do to quiet and learn to enjoy lying down and receiving. As they begin to trust the therapist, and allow the experience to unfold, they begin to learn how to drop down into stillness. This is very soothing to the mind and of course the body.

Craniosacral Therapy is very gentle. It is focused on the interconnectiveness of the nervous system. By relieving stress there, through working with the fluids in the craniosacral system, clients often feel more focused, sleep better, and feel better emotionally.

In my practice, I enjoy working with people who deal with ADHD and the challenges that come along with it. I understand it. I have seen positive results. It’s also a nice way to help the brain and body to relax without medication.

If you are looking for overall wellbeing, Craniosacral Therapy ought to be one of your first stops. It’s natural and powerfully effective in helping to regulate ADHD stress.

Find peace in your life.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D
703 509-1792
www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

Making Our Clients Comfortable

by SharonHartnett | Oct 30, 2024 | craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, healing, mind body & spirit

Feeling Comfortable is the Number One Priority

Being Comfortable is key for my clients. That’s why I do everything to create the most comfortable environment from the onset. For me this begins at the beginning of the first call. It’s important for me to listen quietly to the concerns from the point of view of the person on the other side of the phone. People deserve to be heard and understood when they are looking for help.

Together we discuss different approaches to healing, using Craniosacral Therapy as the primary vechicle to healing and growth. In addition, I also offer support with Energy Healing (Barbara Brennan School), Visceral Manipulation, Hakomi Techniques, Trauma Support and more. Mostly though, I listen. Whether that is with my hands, my eyes, my ears or however information comes to me from your Deepest Inner Wisdom. It’s the combination of your words, and how your body speaks. Especially the unfolding of the most subtle of cues offer deeper ways for the body to self-correct. When this happens we develop a dynamic therapeutic relationship which supports wellness.

In any given session, comfort is enhanced when we are mindful, present, and there is good communication. That’s why Craniosacral Therapy is focused on staying neutral with the people who trust us in this therapeutic setting. What this means, is we hold a stance of non-judgment and checking in quite often. This doesn’t mean we don’t think or feel, but our awareness is centered on melding with our clients as we touch into the Craniosacral System. Nourishing the nervous system this way brings balance and peace. Also comments are specific to the process which originates from you. A skilled Craniosacral Therapist will want to meet and address your real needs.

Feeling comfortable is truly about feeling safe and deepening into trust. It allows people to go silently inward or on the opposite side to express what is going on for them. Often clients fall deep into silence or enter into a reflective mode. Craniosacral Therapy is a beautiful therapy which helps you to heal as your are ready.

If you want to find out more about Craniosacral Therapy, give me a ring. Aligning mind, body and spirit in the. Columbus, Ohio area.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D
703 509-1792
www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

How To Grow In An Overwhelming World

by SharonHartnett | Oct 17, 2024 | Craniosacral Therapy, healing, mind body & spirit, mindfulness, upledger institute

How to Grow as a Sensitive Person

Blossom and Grow. Recently, I picked up the book, “The Highly Sensitive Person and have been recommending it to quite a few of my clients. One niche that I seem to be able to support well are people who benefit from Craniosacral Therapy and Energy Work because the nervous systems of sensitive people often have been overwhelmed.

In this book, we find meaning, and an opportunity to grow, in what it is like to be” highly sensitive“. A term that not many people recognize. On top of this aboug 80% of people are not sensitive, and they don’t understand the other 20%. Can you imagine what it’s like to not have a description or understanding for how you sense the world, while most people are different? I found reading this book to be a relief since I include myself in this category. I felt noticed and acknowledged by the writer. The book is such an in depth mirror. I also felt more of a comfort level knowing that there are many more people walking around like me. Even if we are a minority.

One thing about highly sensitive people is that we notice the subtle and so many details. I know for me, when I walk into a room, I can feel the mood. I cue into expressions and movement, and so much information enters into my system. Often because of this, we need to rest and take time for ourselves to integrate. Craniosacral Therapy can respond to this need through its gentle listeing, touch and melding.

As Craniosacral Therapist, we listen to the Cerebrospinal fluid motion and we palpate and listen to the nervous system. By connecting with that with which we blend, we can bring in a calm and balance. When this happens the deep creativity from within can emerge and grow. It can be brought out into the world in a very positive way.

One of the challenges which highly sensitve people encounter is that when they feel overwhelmed, they tend to react. Some people may view this as over-reacting. This especially occurs if they grew up in a rough environment. They tend to feel misunderstood. However there are some wonderful advantages as well. Lots of good exercises in this book.

The book recommends:

1. Self-Knowledge

2. Reframing

3. Healing

It also offers activities to help process intense feelings. In addition Craniosacral Therapy can help a person through self- discovery work and self-regulation. The book- I think that it is fantastic and opens the eyes to those who want to connect.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

When Nature & Nurture Shape Opportunities

by SharonHartnett | Oct 15, 2024 | craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, healing, Healthy Body, meditation, mind body & spirit, mindfulness, move effortlessly

Nature & Nurture Awaken the Inner Intelligence Within

Let’s talk about Nature & Nurture. From a Craniosacral Therapy Perspective, an experienced Craniosacral Therapist knows that each individual has a working Inner Intelligence Living Within. This Inner Intelligence is a Deep Conscious Awareness. I see it as the essence of each person connected to.a Higher Source. At least these are the best words which I can describe it.

This Inner Intelligence is constantly working to support the health of our physical bodies, our emotional state, our thinking patterns, our relationships and even our connection to spirituality and what we call God. For example, we hardly don’t even have to think about getting out of bed in the morning, straightening our legs so that we get begin to walk through our day. It’s an effortless flow for most of us. Everything is aligned and we begin to move our lives through time and space here at home within our bodies.

In any case, this Intelligence miraculously brings us to life. It allows us to interact with the world we know. It’s in a constant dance with Nature & Nurture.

Biologically we have genes that get turned on. From the time of conception, the heredity influence unfolds into this unique song that makes us who we are. Our environments have their own unique sound, and blend with our systems to create new relationships and growth patterns. These two influences mutually work together to create our Life Experiences for us as individuals. I would say in a larger sense as well.

Such a dynamic pairing: Nature and Nurture. However, there are times when we do get stuck in a glitch. The Intelligence Within is always available, but our choices and life experiences can begin to isolate us or limit our potential. Our genetics can get tripped off into a disease process, or our environment can become toxic or painful for us to live in through certain influences and choices. Triggers could be anything from things like early abandonment, trauma, developmental support lacking and so on. This history, as we live it, is held in the posture and tissue of the body. When we don’t feel connected and in sync with Nature & Nurture, we don’t thrive.

From a Craniosacral Therapist stance, the first thing we do when we work with a person is to connect with ourselves and to create a safe and healthy environment. This connects us with our own nature & nurture qualities and inner wisdom. Then we listen to the person who comes to see us fully and with intention to connect to their own inner intelligence. My hope is that as a team, and while plugging into Source, the techniques and intelligence in my system will nourish the missing steps or pieces to re-awaken what is needed for wellness.

By working with the Craniosacral System, we can listen and sense deeply into another. By melding and blending we encourage and give a little nudge to help release and to restore healthy communication and dialogue. The Nervous System especially feels this healing touch. Integration brings everything back together .People process, but by the end of a session, usually they find a deeper peace and sense of knowing themselves. The Craniosacral Rhythm is restored. That’s because the Inner Intelligence is awakening and moving us to the next level of wellness.

Nature & Nurture are at the foundation of who we are if we are to be healthy and thriving. None of us are meant to live alone. We all need support to keep our own resources reinvigorated and vital. It’s the bond that pulls life together which makes us stronger and more vibrant. Sometimes this is done internally, and sometimes we need to fill in the gap through our relationships.

Learn to connect to Your Own Inner Intelligence. We are all able to do this. Our Higher Selves, when we clear the way, will always keeps us on the Path which brings the best to our soul. When we are able to receive and give through nature and nurture freely, we have more power to influence and co-create in health and wellbeing.

Sharon Hartnett CST-d
703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

How to Move Effortlessly Through Life

by SharonHartnett | Sep 28, 2024 | craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, grounding, healing, mind body & spirit, mindfulness, move effortlessly

Grounding: Move Effortlessly with Grace

Move Effortlessly. It’s easy to escape the moment. To not be fully present. The mind easily wanders into the past with regrets and guilt. Undoubtably it moves forward with worry and anticipation as well. This is to be human.

However, what if there is a way to engage with life more deeply and fully?

I was reading FB today and came across a beautiful post about grounding. I feel it’s so important to connect to the earth. She supports us and nourishes us continuously. We are made of the earth, and she lives within all that we are. So I am including this writing by “Lowen” to share here. Let go of your burdens my friends… Discover Your Human Body.

Lowen is credited with coining the word “grounding” in the physiological and psychological sense and emphasizing it’s importance in human development. I believe it has now become a term widely understood (if not precisely understood) in the broader pop culture.

“Once he is grounded, a person no longer holds himself up but allows the ground to support him. By coming down to earth, he finds that his blood pressure also drops. But effecting that kind of change requires a commitment to the body and to a way of life that respects the body and it’s needs.

Unfortunately, our culture is moving away from the body as the source of feeling and spirituality. Our fitness programs are not designed to enhance the sensitivity of the body but to hone it as if it were a machine. In so doing, they produce people who are fit only to run the race of life. I suppose that if reaching the top is one’s goal in life, our modern-day fitness programs may help. But if one’s goal is to experience the joy of being fully alive, the excitement of feeling part of this pulsating universe, and the deep satisfaction of being a person who is both graceful and gracious, one must turn elsewhere.

When I was a young man, being “earthy” was regarded as a virtue. I never hear anyone descibed that way anymore. Has the quality of having one’s feet on the ground lost its meaning? I believe it has. The modern individual is more properly described as “flying high and fast”. It is hard to slow down when the world is racing by. It is difficult to be grounded when the culture itself is ungrounded, when it denies reality and promotes an illusion that success represents a higher state of being and successful people live richer and more fulfilling lives. All the same, the real values of life are “earthy” values: health, gracefulness, connectedness, pleasure and love. But these values have meaning only if one’s feet are planted firmly on the ground.”

– Alexander Lowen from The Spirituality of the Body

To Move Effortlessly is freedom and Joy

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com