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restriction patterns and release the held effects of insult and trauma, all performed with pressure that does not overwhelm or overpower the body. CST techniques are taught by the Upledger Institute as a series of three classes, which can then be built on with further training. When practiced correctly, these techniques allow practitioners to do a lot of good with little chance of doing harm. And because the only contraindication for CST is when a transient change in intracranial pressure would be harmful (when it's unsafe to go from lying supine to sitting upright, such as when someone has active bleeding in the brain or a cerebrospinal fluid leak), the techniques are applicable in all sorts of situations. Upledger often said anyone with soft hands and good intent can practice the protocol of CST techniques. This makes them great tools for bodyworkers of all stripes, as is evident in the following examples. The Esthetician: The first time I visited Annie for a facial, I was running late. Traffic was bad, parking was more difficult than I had planned for, and there was a line at her front desk. When she greeted me, I was sweaty and flustered. I wanted to have a relaxing experience, but my adrenaline was still pumping. To calm my nervous system quickly, I got on her table and gave myself a still point—a therapeutic pause in the craniosacral rhythm. Still points take us from "fight or flight" directly into "rest and digest," clearing stress and preparing the body to heal. Annie noticed right away how I went from agitated to relaxed. I taught her how to perform the technique, and now all her clients have the benefit of moving directly from the stress of daily life into the calm that makes facials feel so delicious. The Physical Therapist: Deanna Savant, a physical therapist from Oakland, California, uses the CST techniques called Fascial Glide (assessing fascial mobility) and Arcing (precisely locating areas of entropic energy) as assessment tools during her otherwise traditional PT work- up. Savant says, "CST helps me to feel the full myofascial pathways and identify trigger points that may be far away anatomically from the pain site, but when palpated are tender, and when released greatly improve the primary pain. Even if I am doing joint mobilization, I monitor for therapeutic pulses (signs of tissue release) and the nuances of the craniosacral rhythm to make sure I am on the right track." The Massage Therapist: Kelly Vogel, a massage therapist and yoga instructor in Walnut Creek, California, combines CST techniques with her deep-tissue work. She says, "I bring CST into my massage sessions when people have tissue-guarding. I'll do a diaphragm release and hold space for that area of holding to 'melt' and release the way it wants to release. Then, I can go directly into the remaining trigger points or tight areas, and the work goes more easily because the body is not 'blocking me out.' "Many people come to me requesting deep work, but that doesn't mean it's what they need, or even what they really want. They may not know about CST, or think subtle work isn't for them. When I can incorporate it into the type of work they're more familiar with, they can really see the benefit. Many times people will say, 'That quiet stuff was exactly what I needed. How did you know?'" CRANIOSACRAL WORK 64 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k m a y / j u n e 2 0 1 4 � TUNING INTO THE CRANIOSACRAL RHYTHM As I transitioned from massage therapy to performing CST full time, I worked much the same way: I incorporated techniques when they were useful in my clients' deep-tissue sessions, as I perfected how to engage without overpowering. I also made time in my week to practice complete protocols. Kate Mackinnon, PT, CST-D, describes the path many craniosacral therapists take in her book, From My Hands and Heart: Achieving Health and Balance with Craniosacral Therapy (Hay House, 2013). "Beginning craniosacral therapists often follow a 10-step protocol. It is a safe yet effective practice that still has the potential to bring much benefit to recipients. There is minimal risk of harm to clients: for the most part they notice improvement, and, in a worst- case scenario, they notice nothing at all. "When I first started courses at the Upledger Institute, my classmates and I were advised to practice this protocol at least 70 times before taking the next class in the curriculum. I bought a massage table and asked almost everyone I knew if they would be guinea pigs. In fact, at the end, many of my volunteers wanted repeat sessions and reported results like relaxation and less joint pain. One friend, who had been trying to conceive for quite a while with no success, got pregnant. "I found that my commitment to practicing the protocol 70 times paid off, as it helped me understand the logic behind it. I became skilled at feeling the kinds of changes that each step creates in the body." Some CST students stop their studies after learning the techniques. These practitioners still do a lot of good, but they miss out on learning