People who come to me are typically looking for more than relaxing bodywork. They’re looking to heal old pain that often has deep roots in trauma and emotional wounding. They’ve heard craniosacral therapy or somatic bodywork can help but often have little idea what to expect. So today, I offer a snapshot of how these elements can blend.

First, though, some quick definitions. Craniosacral therapy is a light-touch bodywork that wakes up the body’s healing forces. Somatic bodywork involves noticing and sharing aloud your inner experience of yourself—things like sensations, feelings, and imagery—to connect directly with the body. I blend these in distance sessions using dialogue and intentional touch.

Getting started

To start a session, I like to talk with you a bit. How are you doing? What are you needing? You’re a person who’s come to me for help—I want to hear about that. 

Next, we both get comfortable. You lie down or recline. I sink into my chair, usually with my cat nearby. Then we tune in and start with somatics. What are you noticing in your body just now? A sensation in your belly…an overall mood…a restlessness? Whatever it is, we’ll just be curious. This starts to tune us both in to your inner world.  

At this point, I might also connect using intentional touch. For instance, I might picture a craniosacral hold at your feet and start to “listen” with my hands. Then, we wait for your body to settle and organize its healing forces. For you, this can feel like starting to relax.

Deeper work can begin

If your body can settle and has enough juice, it will bring up something specific to work on. We may feel drawn to your tight neck, for instance. If the muscles and vertebrae begin to relax and realign while I hold there, then we’re deep in a craniosacral process.

But let’s say the process stalls. Your neck feels stuck and it’s not changing. Something more may need acknowledgment and support, so I’ll add somatics. When you tune in, you notice the stuckness is actually more in your throat, and it’s accompanied by a feeling of frustration. We’ll just notice that.

As our attention stays with the throat, things start to happen. Unsaid words may bubble up. Or an image of a current or past person in your life may surface. Perhaps you realize you often swallow your frustration in conflicts and this tightens up your neck. As we acknowledge this bigger picture, the energies held there can start to unknot.

Dancing together

Obviously, there are a million possible permutations for a session. How we blend it will ultimately depend on your needs, your body’s wealth of creativity and resources, and my responsiveness as a dance partner. Together, we co-create the session.