CST is a practice recognizing that your system leads and is one respecting that your system knows best what it needs. Much of the therapists' foundational work in addition to technique, anatomy, and the system's physiology is about this aspect of big T, "Trust".
In simplest language, this is not a “doing to” therapy, this is a “listening to” therapy.
That this is a therapy focused on the therapist developing open and neutral listening skills is an important distinction in the fundamental approach of CranioSacral.
Do you recognize the difference in the placement of leadership/action/empowerment?
It rests not with the therapist but with you, the patient.
Dr. John Upledger, DO, OMM (1932-2012), developer of CranioSacral Therapy and founder of Upledger Institute, explained it in the simplest phrase,
It's why at the end of a session when you ask me what I felt, I often ask you what you felt as well. Part of my work is to help you connect to your own experience in your own body because it is equally if not more important than my own experience of listening.
I remind myself of Dr. Upledger's guiding words almost daily. It is a framework I invite you to explore with me in session and in the days following as change continues to unfold for you.
Thank you for joining me here and in session.