How Craniosacral Therapy Helps you Feel Relaxed and Connected

by SharonHartnett | Mar 5, 2025 | craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy

Melt Away Stress & Reconnect: How Craniosacral Therapy Helps Your Body to feel Relaxed

In our fast-paced world, stress, tension, and overwhelm can take a serious toll on our bodies and minds. Many of us long for a way to release tension, feel deeply connected to ourselves, and experience true relaxation. Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a gentle yet profound healing modality that offers just that—a doorway to deep relaxation, embodiment, and balance.

What is Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral therapy is a light-touch therapy that works with the body’s natural rhythms to release tension and restore balance. Rooted in osteopathic medicine, CST focuses on the craniosacral system—the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. By gently manipulating this system, CST practitioners help encourage the body’s self-healing abilities, leading to profound feelings of being relaxed and realignment.

The Power of Embodiment and Stress Relief

One of the most powerful aspects of craniosacral therapy is its ability to guide you back into your body. In our modern lives, we often operate from a state of disconnection—living in our minds, caught up in stress, and unaware of the subtle signals our bodies are sending us. CST brings you back into a state of embodiment, where you can fully inhabit your body with ease and presence.

Through this gentle therapy, deep-seated stress patterns begin to dissolve. The nervous system shifts out of the fight-or-flight response and into a state of rest and healing. This allows the body to unwind, releasing stored tension and facilitating deep relaxation. Many clients report feeling lighter, calmer, relaxed, and more at peace after a session—like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders.

How Craniosacral Therapy Helps You Feel Connected and Relaxed

Craniosacral therapy doesn’t just relax the body—it helps restore a deep sense of connection. This connection manifests in multiple ways:

Relaxed Connection to Self: By quieting the mind and relaxing the body, CST helps you tune into your own needs, emotions, and sensations. Many people report a deepened awareness of their inner world, leading to greater self-understanding and clarity.
Connection to the Present Moment: The subtle, meditative nature of CST brings you into the now. Instead of being caught in the past or future, you can fully experience the present moment—where healing and transformation occur.
Connection to the Flow of Life: Many people describe CST as an experience of deep surrender—letting go of control and trusting the innate wisdom of the body. This often translates into a greater sense of ease and flow in everyday life.

What to Expect in a Craniosacral Therapy Session

A typical session takes place in a quiet, soothing environment. You remain fully clothed while the practitioner uses gentle, hands-on techniques to assess and release restrictions in your craniosacral system. The experience is deeply relaxing, and many people feel a profound sense of well-being both during and after the session.

Is Craniosacral Therapy Right for You?

CST is beneficial for a wide range of people, from those dealing with chronic stress and anxiety to individuals recovering from injuries or trauma. It is especially effective for headaches, neck and back pain, sleep disturbances, and nervous system imbalances.

If you’re looking for a holistic way to relieve stress, feel more embodied, and reconnect with yourself, craniosacral therapy may be the perfect solution. A single session can leave you feeling lighter, more aligned, and deeply relaxed—ready to move through life with greater ease and presence.

Ready to experience the profound benefits of craniosacral therapy? Book a session today and step into a more relaxed, connected, and balanced version of yourself!

For a Free 15 minute Phone Consultation, call Sharon Hartnett CST-D:

614 653-8111

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

Find out more about the Upledger Institute at www.upledger.com

The Great and Undervalued Skill of Listening

by SharonHartnett | Mar 4, 2025 | Craniosacral Therapy, healing, healthy, mindfulness

The Power of Listening

Transform Your Relationships

Embrace the skill of Listening. In our fast-paced world, where distractions are everywhere, truly bringing your attention to someone else has become a rare gift. Yet, mastering the art of good listening can enhance every area of your life—from personal relationships to professional success. Although honestly, good communication skills begins with you. It takes intentionality and practice to be a good listener. Let’s dive into why becoming a better listener is one of the most valuable skills you can develop.

1. Builds Stronger Relationships

Good listening fosters deeper connections. Not only does listening help you gather information that can teach you, but it also includes the other person/people in the relationship. It builds connection. It builds a sense of wellbeing within yourself and with others.

2. Boosts Career and Business Success

Want to stand out in your career? Be a great listener. Good listening skills put you at the head of the game. In addition, it helps you build work teams and achieve business goals creatively and with success.

3. Enhances Problem-Solving and Decision-Making

When you listen well, you gather accurate and clear information, leading to better decision-making. Many problems arise from misunderstandings, but active listening helps you identify core issues and find effective solutions faster.

4. Improves Emotional Intelligence

Listening is a cornerstone of emotional intelligence (EQ). When you learn to take in another without judgment, you become more empathetic and aware of others’ emotions. This improves social interactions and makes you a more compassionate and respected individual.

5. Reduces Stress and Miscommunication

Poor listening leads to misunderstandings, stress, and unnecessary conflicts. By fully focusing on conversations, you ensure clear communication, reducing confusion and tension in both personal and professional settings.

How to Become a Better Listener

Be Present – Put away distractions and give the speaker your full attention.
Use Active Listening Techniques – Nod, maintain eye contact, and reflect back what you hear.
Ask Thoughtful Questions – Show genuine curiosity and seek to understand before responding.
Avoid Interrupting – Let the other person finish before sharing your thoughts.

Final Thoughts

If you are finding that you are missing out in conversations, or have developed your listening skills on a deep level, you can develop it and practice through self-awareness and tracking. Sharon Hartnett CST-D is Diplomate Certified Craniosacral Therapist, and also practices energy healing and transformation, along with Hakomi. With close to 30 years of working in her private practice, she offers sessions that focus on listening on different levels. Call for a free 15 free consultation to find out more.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614 653-811. or cell: 703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

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

by SharonHartnett | 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

How to Best Express Your Emotions Effectively

by SharonHartnett | Feb 9, 2025 | Craniosacral Therapy, Energy Healing, fear, grounding, healing, Healthy Body

The Transformation of Raw Emotions Into Emotional Intelligence

Speaking to Neurodivergence

Living with a neurodivergent mind can come with a range of emotions and challenges. As each individual is unique, this can show up in many ways. When I speak of neurodivergence, I am referring to those of us who cognitively process information differently than neurotypical thinkers. This can include:

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Unique social communication challenges, sensory sensitivities, and repetitive behaviors. I recommend the Telepathy Tapes to learn more about this.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Features of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
Dyslexia: Difficulty with language skills, especially reading.
Dyscalculia: Difficulty with performing basic arithmetic.
Dyspraxia: Issues related to physical coordination.
Tourette’s Syndrome: Involuntary, repetitive movements and vocalizations.
Down’s Syndrome: Genetic disorder causing developmental and intellectual delays.

Stress, in particular, among neurodivert people may play a big part in keeping neurodivergent thinkers feeling isolated and alone. Our feelings, emotions, and expressions can easily be misunderstood or misinterpreted. However, as we learn to understand our raw and vulnerable selves better, and also as more people learn to understand and accept people who seem different, for the whole, it allows for more diversity and creativity. We each have our gifts as well. Neurodivergent thinkers can actually be super creative out of the box thinkers, and help come up with innovate ideas to help resolve problems.

Common issues with Emotions with Neurodivergence:

Social Anxiety

I know that sometimes just being in the same space as other people alerts the nervous system into hypersensitivity. A neurodivergent person could end up feeling sensory overload when they detect conflict or too much energy around them. Maybe it is pressure to perform or to look like everyone else. Maybe coming up with words to communicate is hard. In this case, the healing response might be to ground or to limit overstimulation so that we can feel safe in our emotions.

Time Management

It may be difficult to keep focused or on schedule. People may become impatient or uncomfortable if they don’t understand or feel at ease with the boundaries and patterns which are unfamiliar. Especially with procrastination. It’s easy for people to think we are lazy or that we don’t want to partipate, or do the work. For healing, it’s important to realize that everyone is organized differently and healthy processing time for some may be to do nothing until ready to make the next move.

Self Blame

It’s easy to blame oneself when others who are neurotypical don’t understand why we don’t have the same social cues or regulation. Many neurodivergent people might believe they are the problem, when actually they are not. They are just different. It’s vital they they are reflected back as valuable in their authenticity and contributions. They should not have to “mask” in order to be accepted or valued. Once we all see the light in each other, the more the Whole can evolve.

Emotional Woundings

Neurodivergent individuals can feel emotionally chaotic at time. Their experiences may feel more hightened, and they don’t know the best way to respond. It’s important that they find supportive people to help them to understand. In today’s world, sometime emotions get a bad wrap. I’d suggest that many neurodivergent thinkers are actually more emotionally mature if they decide to work through what comes up for them. They have to work and move through so much more. It’s an art and a skill to relate when it doesn’t come easily.

Physically

They may need more rest and down time to integrate with introspection.

Unique Communication Styles

While neurodivergent people may not always communicate in ways that others expect, their style can bring fresh insights or directness. For example, individuals on the autism spectrum might be incredibly honest and straightforward, offering clarity in situations where others might shy away from being so direct.

Being good at understanding and managing emotions can be a challenge for neurotypical thinkers. However, with healthy support, they can learn how to deal with life and make better decisions based on their unique perspectives in life. Being mindful, as we learn to stay more in the moment, and get to know ourselves, moving from stress to emotional intelligence moves us and humanity forward. We are all in this thing called humanity together.

If you are interested in a body centered therapy to help you to ground, feel more embodied and integrated, check out the Upledger Institute for a therapist near you.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614 653-8111

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

How to Develop a Good Plan for Stress Management

by SharonHartnett | Jan 24, 2025 | Craniosacral Therapy, Energy Healing, grounding, healing, healthy, Healthy Body, meditation, mind body & spirit, mindfulness

Who needs stress?

Well, stress can be beneficial. It can help your performance in any part of your life if it is used in a positive way. However, chronic stress is a different matter. Long-term stress can be a major contributor to numerous health problems.

Fortunately, there are some tools that you can learn to help you stay healthy in your mind and body connection. Addressing stress as soon as possible can significantly shift your mindset. An intentional practice of committing to self-care can help avoid or minimize anxiety, depression, cardiovascular diseases and chronic pain.

If you haven’t already come up with a plan for stress managment, here are a few ideas:

Mindfulness, prayer and meditation can help reduce cortisol levels and bring one to center. This is a practice of becoming fully aware in the moment through experience and observation. Curiousity also helps set the stage for discovering inner peace.
Holistic and Complementary practices like Craniosacral Therapy, Visceral Manipulation, Acupuncture have shown to be very helpful with stress management.
Breathing Exercises can shift you more into a calm state. One that I recommend is breathing in to a slow count of 4, exhale to 6 and pause. In your practice continue to lengthen the pause at the end of the exhale. Also, practice diaphragmatic breathing, imagining your breath filling the whole ribcage as it expands and contracts. Allow the breath to move all the way to the pelvic floor.
Check with your physician about the Role of Nutrition: omega 3, magnesium and certaine B vitamins support brain health, and help to regulate emotions.
Sleep. It’s so important to get enough rest. When you sleep well your brain is able to clear through the glymphatic system. This can help you to feel much better restored, and to heal. A good sleep routine is imperative to good health.

Being in a Healing Practice for close to 30 years, I have seen so many people with chronic stress.I want you to know that it’s possible to step away from that. However, it does mean making a choice to change your life. Your power comes in the form of doing things that bring you back to your balanced and healthy Self.

If you have any questions, how I can help you as a Craniosacral Therapist, I offer a free 15 phone consultation.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614 653-8111

Serving the Columbus Ohio Area

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com