Natural Health Resources Center ~ Cranio-Sacral (craniosacral, cranial-sacral) Training and Therapy with Ursula Popp, L.Ac., VCST, Cranio-Sacral Practitioner, Counselor, and Educator. 12252 2nd Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98177. 206-783-3922

The cranial practitioner’s primary focus is the movement of the CSF. While far subtler than the motion created pulsing of blood, the flow of cerebral spinal fluid creates a motion that can be felt throughout the body. The Cranio-sacral practitioner becomes highly adept at listening to the subtle movement or restrictions in the movement, and is able to optimize this very important, yet most subtle movement by working with the muscles, the bones and other structures of the body. Many conditions are attributable to a dysfunction here. Perhaps you’ve been suffering from symptoms such as allergies, shoulder pain, cancer. While these symptoms are causing you the distress, they are often an indication of a deeper problem. With Cranio-sacral therapy, the deeper issues can be identified and resolved, and the stressful or painful symptoms can disappear.

How does Cranio-Sacral therapy work?

Cranio-sacral is the subtlest hands-on therapy there is. Because it addresses issues at the most fundamental level, it can eliminate chronic conditions, strengthen health, and unlock held emotions.

In this healing art, the client and practitioner listen carefully to the expression of the body, mind and spirit acknowledging the ever present health and trusting that your being is at all times doing its best to be healthy, well and strong. The listening is done through the use of exquisite cranial techniques—involving the practitioner’s hands, mind, intuition and most all of heart. The practitioner does not follow a prescribed protocol, but rather draws on the information presented by the client’s body in order to design a treatment unique to the client at that moment in time. In this way, the treatment is highly personal and deeply respectful.

While there isn’t a prescribed protocol of treatment, there are many specific hands-on techniques used when working with the client’s head and sacrum. The focus of these wonderful techniques is to facilitate optimal movement of the cerebrospinal fluid around the central nervous system. This movement can be restricted by muscles or be due to compromised mobility of the cranial bones, the vertebras and the sacrum. The cause of these restrictions can be physical, emotional and/or spiritual, and can be released on any of those levels.

The skilled practitioner has learned the specific cranial techniques, but no skill is more important than the ability to listen with hands and fingertips to the cerebrospinal fluid. Based on what the practitioner perceives in this listening, various non-manipulative hands-on techniques are applied in order to invite the structures around the cerebrospinal fluid to relax, loosen, and to move more freely.

The practitioner learns to listen, without judgment, to the body’s stories and to the memory held within the body’s cells. The cells of the body hold all sorts of memories, including those of trauma and painful events that hurt us, physically, mentally and psychologically. If these cellular memories are not released, they can create disease of any magnitude. But, in a noninvasive, accepting atmosphere, the body and the mind of the client relax. The part of our nervous system that is on constant alert in order to keep us safe, also relaxes and the client is able to experience an altered state, different from the ordinary day-to-day consciousness, so that certain information and memories can be released into conscious awareness. As Marion Woodman, a famous Canadian psychologist, says, “When the body is finally listened to, it becomes eloquent. It’s like changing a fiddle into a Stradivarius.”

Through this skillful listening, your body relaxes and is able to let go of tension and pain. Once this is achieved, emotions are able to surface, to be heard, and then to relax. With continued listening, the soul will start to express itself and this is where the deepest level of healing can occur. It is in a safe and open space that one’s life's experiences will make sense, joy will arise, and the future comes into clearer focus.

Ursula's bodywork is both sensitive and precise. While recovering from acute back inflammation her sessions helped greatly to reduce irritation and pain. This supported my body to let go of further compensation,relax more fully and move forward in my process of recovery. ~ Treya Maria Forlenza, 3/17/09

What makes it unique?

Many people who come for Cranio-sacral Therapy have already tried other forms of bodywork and massage therapy, physical therapy, or chiropractic. The reason that Cranio-sacral therapy is so highly effective is because of its address problems at the fundamental level, creating the possibility of true resolution and the permanent resolution of symptoms and stress.

Because Cranio-Sacral Therapy is non-invasive and requires only very light pressure, the chance of harm coming from the techniques is nearly non-existent. Cranio-sacral therapy can be used (where other techniques are contra-indicated). Because it is so gentle, Cranio-sacral Therapy is safe both for the most vulnerable newborn as well as for the most fragile of the elderly or those in severe pain.

These are just some of the conditions that Ursula has successfully treated:

Allergies Anxiety Back pain Brain or head injuries Cancer Chronic fatigue Depression Fibromyalgia Grief Huntington’s Disease Hypertension

Insomnia Joint and muscular pain and dysfunction Migraines and headaches Pain Post-Surgery PTSD Rheumatoid arthritis TMJ Tinnitus Vertigo Whiplash

The human body has been found to have 12 energy channels that run superficially, along the surface of the skin, as well as internally; each of these channels is related to a different organ system. On these channels, there are specific points that relate to the energy of these organ systems. Disease is understood as an imbalance or lack of flow of Qi. Acupuncture uses tiny, hair-thin needles to work with the specific points to promote the balance and flow of Qi.

Other therapeutic forms of TCM that Ursula uses in her work include:

• Acupressure (hands-on pressure)
• Tuning Forks
• Moxibustion (herbal heating device)
• Cupping (suction)
• Toyo Hari Tools (silver devices)

Ursula studied TCM in order to have a complete medical understanding of the human body. This knowledge informs every healing session both in terms of understanding what is happening and in determining what needs to be done. Though hands-on therapy is the most direct healing, TCM as a very powerful healing method that is sometimes faster and more effective.

Coaching provides a safe environment for exploring thoughts, dreams, and the possible consequences of actions and decisions. Coaching also helps clients to recognize and overcome the barriers in life—both internal and external.

Coaching focuses on your present life, and on your actions, your outer expression, your work, while counseling more often focuses on your internal life, the way you feel.

In your professional life, coaching is very valuable in helping you sort through issues with co-workers, staff, or managers. Perhaps you are faced with a difficult management decision, and need to think and talk it through thoroughly with an objective outsider. Coaching is a wonderful arena in which to explore circumstances like these.

Once you have identified the decisions you need to make, how you want to live, or what you want to do with your life energy and time, your coach becomes your ally. Your coach supports you as you pursue your goals, face challenging situations, break out of old patterns and overcome fears.

How Does Coaching Happen?

Coaching happens on a one-on-one basis. When you are experiencing intense personal or work-related issues, you may seek coaching frequently for a period of time, until you feel confident to continue along your path alone. Often, coaching is then used less frequently for intermittent support and guidance. Most often, coaching happens in my office, but it can also take place via the telephone, if necessary.

Who Needs Coaching?

Coaching is wonderful for anybody who would like an ally in their professional or personal life. If you feel blocked, limited by the same old issues, unable to live a life you want, make changes you would like, or just need some outside support, then a coach can assist you. Or, if you feel unsure about your decisions as a manager, if conflict predominates your environment and absorbs your as well as your employees' energy, coaching can help move beyond these obstacles.

Some people, especially those in management positions, seek coaching in order to focus on an issue related to their professional work environment. Others seek coaching in order to explore solutions to questions and difficulties in their personal lives and career development.

Ursula as a Coach

As a trained counselor, I am committed to creating a safe, non-judgmental environment for you to explore your conscious and unconscious parts. I remain present and attentive to what you are saying both explicitly and implicitly. Using my intuition and experience, I ask powerful questions that help you identify common themes underlying your presenting issues and gain the confidence and enthusiasm to move beyond these issues into the life you desire. And in your management role, I help you see the big picture and move beyond conflict and stagnation to positive, effective management. My rich life experiences and my own continuous adjustments to my life’s purpose and calling are invaluable tools in this work. ~ Ursula