Upledger: How to Find the Most Qualified Craniosacral Therapist

by TheMediaCaptain@gmail.com | Feb 21, 2025 | Craniosacral Therapy, upledger institute

Upledger Craniosacral Therapy Near Me

Columbus Craniosacral Therapist: Sharon Hartnett CST Diplomate Certified.

In 2003, I was drawn to an Upledger Craniosacral Therapy (CST) class in Washington DC. The class was huge. The information was vast and based on the anatomy, physiology of the Craniosacral System which I knew next to nothing about except for briefly skimming over the basics.

However, I was drawn to learning CST because while I was already a healer, Structural Integration Therapist,Hakomi practitioner, and massage therapist, I had visited an advanced Upledger Craniosacral Therapist-Suzanne Herberts- whose work I found to be amazingly profound, and transformational. So off I went to learn to study Dr. John’s work.

The first. class taught me the foundational 10 step protocol and was the first of many classes on a life long journey. I won’t lie, and tell you that it was easy. Not many schools teach the work of Craniosacral Therapy, nor have many people ever heard of it unless they are “in the know”. There is a lot to learn and you have to enjoy learning the extensive anatomy of the body to become highly effective and specific in the CST work. Yet when you fall in love and feel passionate about something, you step into it and immerse. At least I do anyway.

Over many years, I have continued to study this work. It is an ongoing exploration. The human body is our sacred vessel in which we live, and there is great wonder in dialoguing with each person, and what lives within. While its foundation is clear, there are many ways to weave in and out of the human body with intuition, expertise and understanding. With an open mind and healthy techniques, we can delve deep into the Inner Wisdom to unlock many healing capabilities.

In any case, when I looked at Craniosacral Schools, I simply decided that the Upledger Institute was the best around. Dr. John Upledger had a wonderful reputation as being magically skillful, but also made the work available in a way that many people could learn and help others. If anything, I would say the biggest gift he brought to this world was making Craniosacral Therapy ubiquitous. People across the world and over have studied and used his methodology and teachings to serve others.

About Dr. John Upledger and what makes his teaching stand out.

Dr. John Upledger’s approach to craniosacral therapy (CST) exels because of its unique blend of deep scientific understanding and a profound respect for the body’s natural ability to heal. What truly sets his teaching apart is the emphasis on listening to the body—something that goes beyond technique and into the realm of intuitive healing. Upledger believed that CST wasn’t just about manipulating the body, but rather about creating a nurturing environment for the body to heal itself.

He introduced an innovative perspective with his pioneering research, showing how the craniosacral system, which includes the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid around the brain and spinal cord, plays a crucial role in health and wellness. His work demonstrated that imbalances or restrictions in this system could affect the entire body, influencing both physical and emotional health.

What makes Dr. Upledger’s teachings so special is his deep belief in the therapist’s role as a guide or facilitator in the healing process, rather than someone who “fixes” the patient. He encouraged his students to embrace a gentle, hands-on approach while cultivating sensitivity and an open heart to connect with the body’s rhythms and energy.

In his workshops, he created an atmosphere of trust and openness, helping practitioners develop the skills to tune into the body’s subtle signals. His warm, approachable style made learning this powerful therapy accessible to so many, and his focus on self-awareness and self-care is at the core of his philosophy. For him, CST was more than a therapy—it was a way of being, a way of offering compassion, and a path to healing.

Discover the Healing Touch of Craniosacral Therapy by Dr. John Upledger

Many clients find Craniosacral Therapy to be deeply relaxing and effective in promoting overall well-being. Here’s how it can benefit you:

Gentle and Relaxing: Craniosacral Therapy involves light touches on the head, neck, and spine, offering a calming experience that helps reduce stress and anxiety. It’s a peaceful way to feel deeply relaxed, both physically and mentally.
Relieves Tension and Pain: Whether you’ve been dealing with headaches, neck pain, or chronic muscle tension, this therapy targets areas where stress and discomfort accumulate, providing relief without the need for intense manipulation.
Improves Mobility: The therapy enhances the movement of the cerebrospinal fluid, which nourishes your brain and spinal cord. This can lead to improved flexibility and a sense of lightness in your body, helping you feel more mobile and free.
Supports Healing of Injuries: If you’ve had physical trauma or injury, Craniosacral Therapy can support the healing process. It helps improve circulation and reduces inflammation, allowing your body to recover at its own pace.
Balances Your Body and Mind: Beyond physical relief, many people report a sense of emotional balance and clarity after sessions. Craniosacral Therapy gently encourages harmony between your body and mind, supporting your emotional well-being.
Personalized Care: Dr. Upledger’s approach focuses on listening to your body’s unique needs. Each session is tailored to you, creating a safe space where you can experience deep healing.

Obviously, I am a big believer in Dr. John Upledger’s Work. The school is known for its high level teaching and it’s teaching staff being top notch. More importantly though, I keep coming back to the love of connection, melding and evolving that comes out of this work. It changes everything when a person is met, understood, tuned into, and appreciated with skill, touch and presence. Being the therapist also is deeply rewarding.

For You

If you’re seeking a holistic and nurturing way to address physical discomfort or simply want to restore balance and peace to your life, Craniosacral Therapy could be the supportive therapy you’ve been looking for.

About the Author

Sharon Hartnett CST-D is a Diplomated Certified Upledger Craniosacral Therapist approved through the Upledger Institute. She has worked in Integrative Therapies for close to 30 years. If you would like to find out more about UI, you can go to: www.upledger.com

Or you can call Sharon Hartnett for a free 15 minute phone consultation at 703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

Grounding Techniques: Simple Ways to Connect with Earth’s Healing Energy”

by TheMediaCaptain@gmail.com | Feb 18, 2025 | barbara brennan, Craniosacral Therapy, grounding, healing, healthy, meditation, upledger institute

Grounding for your Wellbeing

The earth is a bundle of grounding energy. It can nourish you from the bottom up! If you take the time to stand outside and feel the ground below your feet, the earth will open up your life flow. Whether you stand out in the sunshine or lie in the snow, feel the healthy grounding of your physical wellbeing.

How Grounding can help you. For:

Empaths & Highly Sensitive People – If you absorb others’ emotions or energy easily, grounding helps you stay balanced and not get overwhelmed.
Healers & Energy Workers – When working with energy, grounding prevents depletion and keeps the flow stable.
People Going Through Spiritual Awakenings – Awakening can make you feel unsteady or disconnected; grounding keeps you anchored in your body and the present moment.
Those Experiencing Anxiety or Overthinking – Grounding shifts your focus from racing thoughts to the stability of the earth, bringing calm and clarity.
Anyone Going Through Major Life Changes – Transitions can make you feel uprooted; grounding helps create a sense of stability and trust in the process.
People Working in High-Stress Environments – Stress can scatter your energy; grounding helps you stay centered and focused.
Individuals Feeling Disconnected from Nature or Their Bodies – If you’re stuck in technology, overanalyzing, or feeling out of touch with yourself, grounding reconnects you.

A good exercise to start grounding with is to imagine roots coming down your feet into the earth bringing you calm and centeredness. Allow yourself to absorb the strength and power of the Earth. If you are more of a touch person, reach out and touch a tree. I know that sounds a bit “out there, but you might be amazed, and what you can sense and feel. Lastly, just looking around and connecting with your eyes can help you to connect. Especially if you start by notice how beautiful the earth is!

Lastly, trying a session in Craniosacral Therapy can help you to feel more embodied and grounded. It’s gentle and very centering as well.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

Fascia: The Hands On Treatment that Changes Everything

by TheMediaCaptain@gmail.com | Jan 21, 2025 | better posture, craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, grounding, healthy, Healthy Body, Structural Integration, upledger institute

Getting Manual Work With Your Fascia supports Overall Health and Wellbeing

About 1-2 years ago, I listened to a podcast about the “Interstitium”. Perhaps you have never heard of it. It is a fairly new term. And we know that sometimes it takes time for a new idea to come take hold. So, I thought I’d give the Interstitium and Fascia work a little boost out here on the web. So here we are.

Let’s begin by defining Fascia and it’s relationship to the Interstitium.

Fascia is a type of tissue that looks like a web inside your body. If you could imagine that underneath your skin there is a living matrix wetsuit superficially. This fascia tissue travels deeper and through almost everything in the human body: around bones, organs and it basically holds us all together. In your mind, if you could continue to see it-and sense into it, you’ understand it as a strong elastic type of material that stretches and connects throughout. Fascia is made up out of elastin, collagen and ground substances.

The interstitium is a relatively new area of study in manual therapy. It’s a vast network of fluid-filled spaces that surround cells and tissues, and it plays a key role in how fluids move through the body. By working with both the fascia and the interstitium, therapists can support the movement of these fluids and encourage more efficient flow, which can help the body recover from injury, decrease inflammation, and promote overall health.

This integrated approach, which addresses both the connective tissue (fascia) and the surrounding fluid networks (interstitium), helps create a more holistic, balanced experience for the body. The combination of fluid dynamics and fascial release is what makes manual therapy working with the fascia and interstitium so powerful and restorative.

How Does a Manual Therapist Work with the fascia and Interstitium?

1. It’s key to work slowly and gently whether the therapist does Craniosacral Therapy, Myfascial Release or Deeper Structural Integration. The connected touch feels like a deep stretch, lengthening and spreading vitality to the surrounding tissues. When the therapist listens, the fascia will always lead to the easiest way to unwind and free of movement and space.

2. It’s also quite common for people to feel more fluidity with fascial work. This is where the instertitium comes in because it allows motion and enhances functioning.

3. Manual Fascial Therapy often releases deep tension patterns. Here is where some of the therapies may vary in approach. With Ida Rolf’s work, generally the touch is more assertive. The other end of the spectrum is gentle, light touch Craniosacral Therapy.

4. You may gain greater awareness of your body. Touch is a great way to mirror back the sensations in your body. You may feel a greater sense of connection to the many internal influences that optimize your body’s health and wellness.

5. The effects of fascial work is profound. You may walk away feeling so calm and peaceful. Often people feel more balanced inside but also in how their body stacks up. This can mean better grounding and use of movement. When the fascia is better organized, it is more efficient in everything it does. With muscles but also in promoting organ health too with mobility and motility.

6. Both the fascia and the interstitium are connected to emotions. For example, when a person experiences a physical or emotional trauma, that may hold in the tissues and contract to protect. While this is super efficient short-term it’s important to find balance and length again so misalignments don’t compensate permanently.

7. If you want to feel more at home in your body, fascia and interstitum work can help you reach your goals. It’s always best to optimize what you have.

A little bit about Sharon Hartnett (author):

I studied Massage in the 1990’s. Later studying Ida Rolf’s work at the Institute for Structural Integration. Later in the early 2000’s I got turned on to Craniosacral Therapy. Truly I love both of these approaches to keep the fascial body healthy. One (SI) is definately a stronger approach. However, the Craniosacral Therapy is so gentle that body is more apt to work more effectively. It doesn’t fight any of the technique. More recently, I have studied Visceral Manipulation at the Barral Institute for about the last 10 years. This looks at the organs and the tissues connecting and surrounding. Mobilizing the tissues can actually help the organs to functure better. So all this work is vital to keep peope healthy. Getting unstuck nourishes the body and cleans up what no longer needs to be held. I love this work!

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

How to Find Yourself in the Healing Process

by SharonHartnett | Jan 15, 2025 | barbara brennan, change, Craniosacral Therapy, Energy Healing, healing, healthy, Spiritual Healing, upledger institute

The Healing Process is built on many moments of Life.

The Truth: Moments Unfolding with Change is Authentic Healing. Things do change instanteously and miraculously, but often in life relationships and time, one experience leads into another. The same thing occurs with the healing process.

For people hoping to Heal

Slow it Down With Grace

I get that you want things to happen quickly, and that’s totally normal. You may also want to feel a deep shift in the first session.We live in a world where everything feels like it’s supposed to happen now. Or maybe you have been feeling uncomfortable or in pain for a long time. I get that can be difficult. However, when it comes to life and healing, the truth is, the “process” is where all the real growth and change happens. Healing isn’t like flipping a switch, it’s like planting a seed. You can’t rush a seed to grow into a tree—it takes time, care, and patience.

In the process, you’re learning, adjusting, and becoming stronger. It’s not always easy, and it can feel frustrating, but the struggle is actually what builds resilience. Think of it like lifting weights—at first, you can’t handle much, but little by little, your strength increases. That’s how emotional growth works too. It’s in the moments that feel slow, or even stagnant, that you’re really building the foundation for long-term change.

So while you may want results now, the process is what makes those results sustainable. If you skip steps or try to rush it, you might end up back where you started, without having truly learned what you needed to. The key is to trust that the process, though uncomfortable at times, is actually your path to the very thing you’re craving—whether it’s peace, strength, clarity. It’s all happening in the journey, not just at the destination.

I share this with you because unrealistic expectations can actually stop the healing. In order to avoid disappointment, realize that the Healer is within You and it will happen as you are truly ready. A therapist or healer can help meet those places inside that desire change. They can nudge and hold a healing space for that change to happen. But most importantly your Higher Self must be tapped into for those places that feel stuck and may need to feel reassured in many different ways and on different levels.

The Journey of Healing is an ongoing process. Perhaps what you need will be resolved in one session. But it’s important for you to realize that the more complex the issues, more likely your healing team will need to re-evaluate on an ongoing basis.

One thing is certain though. Healing is an investment into yourself. You are worth it, and miracles can happen. Still be patient with yourself and the process. The flow will take you into the most unexpected and special places.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

7035091792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

How to Change Your Posture with Somato Emotional Release

by SharonHartnett | Jan 2, 2025 | craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, Healthy Body, mind body & spirit, move effortlessly, Structural Integration, upledger institute

Organizing Optimal Posture

Structural Integration, with an emphasis on posture, is based on the principle that the body is organized and held together in a coordinated, balanced manner. Any distortions in that order and/or balance can lead to physical and emotional discomfort. Fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds muscles, bones, and organs, plays a crucial role in this organization. When fascia becomes tight, scarred, or restricted due to poor posture, emotional stress, or injury, it can cause the body to lose its ability to move freely and efficiently.

Creating a healthier and more fluid Posture can be better facilitated by recognising the emotional aspect of Structure. At the core of Somato Emotional Release hands-on manual work, we consider holding the intention of using of physical touch to help a person to heal emotionally as well as physically. For many of us who have worked with clients for years, we recognize that the body stores emotional memories. The body often reflects our history and our choices. However, this can change with gentle and nourishing skillful touch.

Fortunately, some people are proactive and come in for help with their posture ahead of the game. These cases are often easier in terms of release and integration. Often though, discomfort or pain may be the leading reason someone seeks out help. Obviously, it’s always best to stay in front of the curve when possible. It’s the whole idea of treating simplity over complexity.

The Best situation for a client is when the therapist is Certified through their schooling. It ensures that they reach the top level of understanding of the anatomy, skills particular to a certain manual therapy, but also that they have learned how to support the emotional process. Because quite often people do have emotional releases when their posture is changing on a fascial level.

Emotions for some people can be a very vulnerable thing to express. Perhaps in their childhood or current relationships, there is judgment or lack of understanding. So it’s very helpful to find someone with specific training in dialoguing. Bodyworkers are not counselors, but they can and certainly do help their clients process, and find their own healing responses when trained.

Some things to look for in a Somato Emotional Release Therapist are:

A trusting and Safe Space
Neutrality
Certification ie. Upledger
Body Centered Emotional Training
An Understanding of Posture
An Ability to Listen and Work with Fascia
The Ability to Meld with the Tissues
Experience

If you are seeking out a Somato Emotional Release therapist to help free up and balance your posture, first call for an interview. It’s important to feel a bond of trust first and foremost. Then,as this type of manual therapy can help treat misalignment of the posture as well as letting go of stress and emotional baggage, ask questions upfront so that you can feel comfortable with your choice.

Processing unresolved emotional trauma can truly change how you feel in your body!

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

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How to Open to the Possibilities

by SharonHartnett | Dec 29, 2024 | Craniosacral Therapy, healing, meditation, mind body & spirit, mindfulness, upledger institute

Possibilities Are Always Present.

Call in the Possibilities!

Remember a time that you felt stuck? Perhaps right now it feels like some doors are shut No options available? No matter how much you try, you’re still in the same place.

When we look outside of ourselves for answers, the ultimate resolution never starts there. Rather, change is an inside job to self-realize possibilities in any given situation. The sooner we realize that we have no control over other people or events, the freerer we become internally. We learn that the power of possibilities can be born from within us. It’s a mindset. Something that calls for us to practice so that we see new opportunities outside as well. We can be the intentional change we want to be.

True freedom to discover comes from understanding that possibilities live in the Unknown. It can take courage to explore possibilities over the “norm” It does take a quiet mind and a mindful intention to stay in curiositiy with the “Self”, and with our other relationships. When we question with an open mind, it gives us space for the mystery to unfold. It allows time for the chess pieces to move, and new magical experiences to arise. It’s in these gaps of silence and curiosity, that insights come from a place which hold eternal wisdom.

These days, so much of the time we invest in “knowing”. I’d suggesty an alternative. Try instead to rest in the play of “not knowing” if you want to shift or transform into your most “Whole” feeling Self. Allow the mystery to fulfill you.

Life is about receiving meaning and understanding. In order to allow the possibilties to move through us, it’s a choice to invite and partipate in all that we DON’T Know.

Being a Craniosacral Therapist, all my sessions move in this way. Magic happens. I live in the mystery of the Deeper Essential Wisdom that is always here, waiting to express its voice. It helps my clients to free themselves when they remember and awaken to this Deeper Truth. Because I get to observe this experience, it reminds me every day of the possibilities that are always swimming around for me, for you, and for anyone if we are willing to leave the familiar and explore.

The Possibilities of Change. You may feel stuck at times, but you are not. New possibilties are always less than a breath away.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

Certified Craniosacral Therapist through the Upledger Institute

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com