Upledger Institute International’s CranioSacral Therapy Level One Intensive: Presence, Palpation and Protocol

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) utilizes very gentle touch to assess and correct imbalances in the craniosacral system — the membranes and fluids protecting the brain and spinal cord. CST is a powerful hands-on modality that addresses numerous sensory, motor and intellectual challenges; central nervous system disorders; and chronic pain. You will be taught detailed anatomy and physiology of the craniosacral system, its functions in health and its relationship to disease. Emphasis will be on developing effective palpation skills to detect subtle movement, energy, fluid and structures within the body. The group will explore palpation as both an evaluative and therapeutic tool to facilitate fascial and soft-tissue releases.

As part of this monthlong program you will also explore how to use your presence to augment the healing process through mindfulness/sensory-awareness exercises. The practitioner’s sense of presence during a treatment session enables a strong therapeutic alliance, which in turn creates a safe environment for the client’s innate healing process to unfold. Anatomical knowledge, palpation and presence provide the foundation needed for participants to learn an effective 10-step CranioSacral protocol. By the end of this program, you will have the tools to evaluate the entire body from a CranioSacral perspective, identify significant restrictions affecting the craniosacral system, apply structural and energetic CST techniques to restore balance to the client’s body, and gain measurable results from a CranioSacral treatment session. Completion of this workshop will result in full credit for Upledger’s CS1 course, and eligibility to take CS2 through the Upledger curriculum.

Required reading and advance preparation: Upledger, CranioSacral Therapy chapters 1-6 and Your Inner Physician and You. Also please familiarize yourself with the definitions and/or locations of the anatomical terms here: http://www.upledger.com/seminar_info/Terms/CSIterms.doc.

For continuing education syllabus, see https://www.esalen.org/upledger-cst1-residential-study.

CE credit for massage.