Elective Class Descriptions

Tending the Therapeutic Relationship: Healing Dynamics, Boundaries and Self Care

"Before we can experience the beauty outside ourselves, we must see and honor our own beauty." ~ Sandra Ingerman

Understanding the therapeutic relationship is critical for any integrative or holistic practice. In this 3-day class, we explore key dynamics of this relationship: power differential, intimacy, boundary navigation, transference/countertransference, and informed consent. We highlight clarifying and communicating our intention, policies and boundaries as well as identifying methods of self-care. We examine the autonomic nervous system, particularly the Polyvagal Theory of stress/distress, trauma generation, resilience and health. This is a practical discussion, with a focus on identifying signs of a balanced or overwhelmed system. Simple strategies for working with emotional release are taught within the context of a body-centered practice.

This is a 3-day class, offering 21 CE Hours. Cost: $410. It is open to all healthcare professionals.

Visceral Listening: Enhancing Motility of the Organs

The viscera have a movement and a rhythm that can be felt with the hands. In this class, you will study the anatomy and physiology as well as the energetic components of the heart, lungs, liver, stomach, spleen, kidneys, bladder, small and large intestines, and the gallbladder. You will have ample time to practice the hands-on techniques: listening to each organ, and creating the space to let the organ move freely and find its own health.

This is a 3-day class, offering 21 CE Hours. Cost: $410. Pre-requisite: The Craniosacral Introductory Workshop taught by Ursula Popp or Lauren Christman. If you have not taken the Craniosacral Introductory Workshop class, then you should have consistent skill in palpating motility (CRI or mid-tide). Please contact the teacher if you have questions about your readiness for the material: lauren@craftedtouch.com.

Visceral Mobilization: Freeing Fascial Layers among the Organs

"Do something good to your body, so that your soul becomes thrilled to live in it." ~ Theresa von Avila

The ability of the organs to glide freely around each other is vital, not only for the physiological task of each organ, but also for overall movement through the torso. Exploration of the fascial layers surrounding organs starts with a ‘topographical’ tour of the anatomy, including where the organs are, what their shape is and how they are accessed. Refining your palpation of soft-tissue structures is highlighted as a part of both assessment and treatment. We will also discuss the issues of postural implications of visceral restrictions and scar tissue as a possible limiting factor of visceral movement.

This is a 3-day class, offering 21 CE Hours. Cost: $410. Pre-requisite: There is no pre-requisite. The ability to perceive motility (CRI or mid-tide) will enhance your learning, but it is not required.

Supporting the Brain – Concussion, Migraine and Centralized Pain

While exploring the brain’s anatomy, you will learn methods to support better function. You will learn to palpate the lobes, ventricles and central brain structures. Once you are familiar with these structures, you will learn a variety of gentle motility and mobilization techniques. Using these techniques, we will discuss treatment strategies for concussion, centralized pain and additional pathologies.

This is a 3-day class, offering 21 CE Hours. Cost: $410. Pre-requisite: The Craniosacral Introductory Workshop taught by Ursula Popp or Lauren Christman. If you have not taken the Craniosacral Introductory Workshop class, then you should have consistent skill in palpating motility (CRI or mid-tide). Please contact the teacher if you have questions about your readiness for the material: lauren@craftedtouch.com.

Cranial Nerve Mobilization: Freeing the Tethers

With this 3-day workshop, you will take a tour of the cranial nerves, identifying their connection to central brain structures, passages through the cranial base and their pathway around the cranium and torso. You will learn gentle balancing techniques, both for neural motility as well as for the fascial freedom (mobility) along the length of the nerve. You will also learn simple exercises to assess neural function which will give you ways of tracking client progress throughout recovery.

This is a 3-day class, offering 21 CE Hours. Cost: $410. Pre-requisite: Introductory Workshop or permission of instructor.

Craniosacral for Infants – An Introduction

Being born is one of the most vigorous and dramatic changes we go through in our lifetime. Craniosacral treatments are a wonderful way to assist the infant to rebalance their autonomic nervous system as well as resolve residual stress imparted by the birth passage. Addressing common neonatal challenges in suckling, digestion and sleep are a focus of the methods taught in this course. General review of late-stage embryology, the birth process, birth interventions and common conditions is included. Students will learn techniques that are appropriate for infants, which can also be applied for older children and adults. Students practice those techniques with each other and when possible with infant-volunteers under direct supervision.

This is a 3-day class, offering 21 CE Hours. Cost: $410. Pre-requisite: Introductory Workshop or permission of instructor.

Unwinding the Birth Pattern

Being born is one of the most vigorous and dramatic changes we go through in our lifetime. How we make that passage generates an imprint in our fascial web, particularly the dural membranes, as well as our psyche. Later in life, when we are met with physical or psychological challenges, we can feel echoes of this early event. Craniosacral treatments are a wonderful way to assist the client, of any age, to rebalance their autonomic nervous system and fascial web. We will do a general review of embryology and the birth process, physical and metaphorical. You will then practice techniques first with each other, and if possible, with infant-volunteers under direct supervision.

This is a 3-day class, offering 21 CE Hours. Cost: $410. Pre-requisite: Previous training in cranial or visceral work is preferable, but not necessary. Class activities will include table work, partnered exercises, multiple demos by instructor, lecture presentation and class discussion. On the third day, we will host a clinic with volunteer infants; if you have or know of infants who would be good candidates for this free clinic, please contact Lauren at: lauren@craftedtouch.com

Cranial and Fascial Balancing Methods for Newborns

In this introductory course, we look at the essential skills for working safely and effectively with newborns (up to 6 months). Between the physical stresses of being born and the remarkable, rapid growth within the first months, this population has its own set of challenges. You will learn methods to improve breast feeding, poor latch, tongue tie, colic, constipation, torticollis, and more. We will use a blend of cranial, visceral and fascial techniques. You will practice techniques first with each other, and if possible, with infant-volunteers under direct supervision.

This is a 3-day class, offering 21 CE Hours. Cost: $410. Pre-requisite: The Craniosacral Introductory Workshop taught by Lauren Christman or Ursula Popp in the past five years. If you have not taken that class (or it's been longer than 5 years ago) but you have consistent skill in palpating motility/inherent health (CRI or mid-tide), or have subtle palpation skills from other methods, please contact Lauren to assess your readiness for the course: lauren@craftedtouch.com

Freeing the Axial Skeleton: Myofascial Balancing for Craniosacral Therapists

Craniosacral therapy orients to the free movement of fluids and energy, particularly within the cranium, spine and sacrum. At times, the dense tissues of the body hold their restrictions firmly enough that it’s helpful to address what Barral calls the ‘hard frame.’ You will learn to mobilize bones, ligaments and myofascial in sync with the mid-tide or CRI allows a more physical approach to be easily accepted by the body. Postural and usage patterns are highlighted as we explore this level of structure and function.

This is a 3-day class, offering 21 CE Hours. Cost: $410. Pre-requisite: The Craniosacral Introductory Workshop taught by Lauren Christman or Ursula Popp in the past five years. If you have not taken that class (or it's been longer than 5 years ago) but you have consistent skill in palpating motility/inherent health (CRI or mid-tide), or have subtle palpation skills from other methods, please contact Lauren to assess your readiness for the course: lauren@craftedtouch.com