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Written by Christine McPherson
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Relaxing in a natural way allows our body, mind and spirit the
necessary rest to deal with the increasing pressure and stresses of
everyday living.
And renowned Craniosacral Therapist Daniel Agustoni has developed a
series of special exercises to help us treat ourselves and take
responsibility for our own health.
He explains: ‘The autonomic nervous system of many people in
the Western culture is set to a high degree on stress and therefore on
activating the sympathetic nervous system. If the natural pendulum
swing of tension and relaxation – or
‘inner’ and ‘outer’ –
is disregarded for a period of time, sooner or later health and life
quality will suffer.
‘Permanent stress and possible consequences like back
problems, chronic sleeping disorders or heart attack are quite common.
Since the demands we face will probably not diminish and possibly will
even grow, we surely have to prioritize finding a new, more conscious
way of being with ourselves and our stress.’
Daniel is also concerned that many therapists are particularly at risk
of burning themselves out, by ‘almost crucifying themselves
in that tension between inner calling and the constant excessive
overload that makes them sick in the long run’.
Originating in cranial osteopathy, craniosacral therapy has established
itself within the last few decades and developed further as an
independent therapy form.
More and more physiotherapists, massage therapists, alternative
practitioners, midwives and other professionals are now skilled in
craniosacral therapy.
In his new book, ‘Harmonizing Your Craniosacral
System’ Daniel outlines a number of loosening-up exercises,
self-massages, awareness and palpation exercises which can help us all
to relax.
‘The regenerating, reviving force with which we reconnect in
relaxation is a regulating natural principle striving for wholeness and
perfection. In combination, relaxation and self-regulation act as a
fountain of youth: they boost the flow of energy, the life force, our
immune system and our inner balance,’ Daniel adds.
‘Often one perceives, for example, how the breathing changes,
how shoulders and lower jaw drop, or that peristalsis (stomach-bowel
sounds) starts up. This shows that the person is releasing tension: the
body starts to relax, the autonomic nervous system regulates itself and
gets the chance to balance itself from the inside.’
The exercises he has developed are suitable for:
· Lay people who have already
received craniosacral treatment and are free of pain
· Lay people with knowledge of
massage and body therapies
· People training to become
craniosacral practitioners
· Craniosacral practitioners
who want to offer and introduce their clients to exercises
· Physiotherapists,
practitioners of other body therapies, alternative practitioners,
midwife and other professionals
Craniosacral treatment predominately refers to the system, rather than
to the symptoms. This means that by balancing the craniosacral system
the body’s self-healing powers are boosted and subsequently
physical blockages are lessened or dissolved. Ideally you will, in
addition to doing self-treatments, experience craniosacral treatments
with a professional craniosacral practitioner.
About the Author
Daniel Agustoni is based at the Sphinx-Craniosacral Institute in
Switzerland, but holds seminars and training courses worldwide.
More information on craniosacral therapy and therapists can be found
at: Craniosacral Therapy
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