Cranial-Sacral Therapy

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system – comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Therapists tune into the craniosacral rhythm (which can be felt at different sites around the body) and evaluate the skull for symmetry of the cranial bones and the flow of the cerebral spinal fluid. Using a soft touch, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system.

Discover how cranial work can enhance your practice. This wonderful DVD will show you how to balance each of the cranial bones and sacrum using 22 varied techniques. Divided into 13 lessons, each lesson focuses on a different bone or aspect of cranial technique. The first three lessons cover the history, anatomy and technique fundamentals. The next 9 lessons cover a specific bone, its’ motion, common dysfunction, and detailed, clearly demonstrated techniques. The last lesson discusses advanced topics in cranial therapy. Stunning visuals add to the presentation making learning cranial-sacral therapy easy.

DVD content
Running time 77 minutes

This DVD is divided into 13 lessons.
1 History-
This lesson discusses the history of Cranial Work. The main focus is on Dr. Sutherland’s process of discovering cranial movement.
2 Anatomy
This lesson included information on the cranial bones, sutures, the dural membrane and meninges, reciprocal tension membrane, cerebrospinal fluid, and more.
3 Techniques
This lesson discusses the definition of a release, describes what a release feels like, and discusses three outcomes of a release- still point, unwinding, and no change. Then this lesson describes the basic cranial technique, and the use of presence. Next the student is lead through an exercise to feel the cranial motion in each bone.
4 Sacrum
This lesson discusses the location, function and emotional connections of the sacrum, then covers motility patterns common in the sacrum, as well as common dysfunction’s. Next Mary shows various techniques on the sacrum; the sacral release, modified sacral release, cradle, Sacroiliac decompression and core link techniques.
5 Occipital
First discussed is the occiput’s location, connection to the reciprocal tension membrane and motility pattern, as well as common disfunctions. Next Mary shows the cranial base release and the 4th ventricle technique.
6 Sphenoid
The motion, location and common dysfunction’s of the sphenoid are first discussed. Then Mary shows the basic sphenoid release with motion testing in 6 planes. Next she shows the Coronal shear technique also with motion testing. Finally she demonstrates Sutherland’s grip with clear directions.
7 Temporal
This lesson discusses the location, motion and dysfunction’s of the temporal bone, then shows the ear pull/decompression and the temporal palming technique.
8 Parietal
In this lesson the motility and and connections to the parietal are discussed, and the Parietal hold and lift technique is demonstrated and discussed.
9 Frontal
In this lesson the location and motility pattern of the frontal bone is discussed, then the following techniques are shown ;frontal decompression, balancing the glabella and bregma, balancing the frontal with the viscero-cranium.
10 Zygoma
In this lesson the location and function of the zygoma is discussed, and the zygoma palpation technique is shown.
11 Maxilla
This lesson shows the location, function and common dysfunction’s related to the maxilla. This Mary shows the inter-oral technique utilizing gloves to release the bone.
12 Mandible
This lesson discusses the location, function and common dysfunction of the mandible. Next the following techniques are shown; Palming, interoral- two handed technique, interoral-one hand technique.
13 Rhythms
This lesson discusses the biodynamic model of cranial technique, and Mary discusses following deeper rhythm of cranial motion.

Massage Today Review: “This video is expertly made. As I have come to expect with Real Bodywork’s videos, the production quality is superb. The pictures are sharp and clear, and the instruction by Mary Sullivan is understandable, without being overly verbose or concise. .. I must make a special note of the high-quality graphics, which differentiate Real Bodywork’s videos from those generated by other producers. These graphics make a vital contribution to the utility of this video. Rating: 10 out of 10.

About The Instructor:
Mary Sullivan has over 25 years of bodywork experience. She has a Master degree in Counseling Psychology, residential training at Fall River Mills with the Alive Polarity Foundation, and a degree from the Santa Barbara College of Oriental Medicine. She is a Cranial Therapist, Polarity Practitioner, Licensed Acupuncturist & Massage Therapist. She has studied craniosacral therapy with Hugh Milne, Charles Ridley & Michael Shea. She has studied the works of Sutherland, Upledger, Becker, Sills, Jealous, Stone and others. She is a licensed acupuncturist, and teaches classes in Cranial-Sacral Therapy, Polarity Therapy, Lymphatic Drainage, Chi Nei Tsang and Women’s Cycles. She maintains a private practice in Santa Barbara, CA.