Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/296580
78 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 A Convergence The American Polarity Therapy Association (www.polaritytherapy. org) and the Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America (www. craniosacraltherapy.org) are cosponsoring a conference September 11–14, at the Mount Madonna Conference Center above Monterey Bay, California. The Science and Spirituality Conference is open to bodywork practitioners from all specialties, and the healing arts in general. The biennial conferences of these two professions will converge to explore the commonalities, complementarity, and contrasts between the fi elds. The details of the conference program and registration information can be found on the websites of both organizations. This conference is an excellent way to become acquainted with one or both of these fi elds, as well as being designed to present new information for high-level continuing education. It is important to acknowledge that many therapists practice in one of these disciplines, not both. We have already mentioned that the complementary aspects of the two fi elds likely offer valuable understanding in an integrative approach to healing. In fact, each of the disciplines could be viewed as a specifi c therapeutic specialty in the larger, emerging fi eld of energy medicine. I can envision a future where integrative therapists are familiar with the entire spectrum of health and healing, even while most choose to specialize in particular disciplines. The combined professional conference of these two fi elds is one step in this direction. freeing possible nerve impingement or balancing the autonomic nervous system; and, at more essential levels, the overall distribution of vital energy. This therapeutic range can yield benefi ts in the structure of the body, its physiological balance, sensory-motor functioning, ability to reduce stress levels, capacity to self-regulate, and general motivation or drive in life. The Three Fields of Function BCST works within three fi elds of function, which are defi ned as tissues, fl uids, and potency (energy dynamics). For example, massage therapy works on tissues, lymphatic work focuses on fl uids, and energy work deals with potency. BCST therapists work differently from other craniosacral practitioners. Traditional craniosacral therapy (CST) takes a manual approach, though the amount of manipulation is minor compared to other forms of bodywork—Upledger stated a well-known admonition for less than 5 grams of pressure. In contrast, BCST practitioners use subtle skills, including states of balanced tension and other augmentation skills, in which energetic forces are set up to work with or transform their own process, leading to changes at the physical level. Whether it's dural membrane tensions, the position of vertebrae, the contraction in and around a joint, or a strain in the connective tissues, there are energy forces that are organizing these experiences. Although this is a subtle practice, clients should be leaving with tangible physical benefi ts or other noticeable improvements. Many BCST practitioners have additional experience with trauma resolution, and some are adept with neuroendocrine regulation. All of this takes E XPLORING POL ARIT Y THERAPY AND BIODYNAMIC CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY