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F r e e m u s i c d o w n l o a d s f o r C e r t i f i e d m e m b e r s : w w w. a b m p . c o m / g o / c e r t i f i e d c e n t r a l 77 and technique most useful: our nonjudgmental, supportive therapeutic presence. Therapeutic presence is the how we are with our clients, and it's just as important as the what we do with them. Developing skillful therapeutic presence involves working with our body awareness and body mechanics, as well as with our thoughts and biases. BODY AWARENESS AND BODY MECHANICS Our bodies are reliable gauges, but we have to pay attention to them. They tell us when we are tense or relaxed, when we feel safe, and when our boundaries are being crossed. They signal when we are in an unsupported position or have pushed past our physical limits. We access the feeling of neutrality through our bodies with our proprioceptive sense, and can further develop that sense with proper body mechanics. Too often, however, therapists ignore the signals our bodies provide and work from places of tension or outright pain. When we do this often enough, we can become habituated to CULTIVATING NEUTRALIT Y NEUTRAL TOUCH When we touch people, even in everyday situations, we have a natural tendency to either send energy in or take energy out. Sending energy in is most common, especially when we want to help. But when we mindlessly send energy in, it may not be what is needed; if so, no matter how good our intentions, it is uncomfortable for the person receiving our touch. Working from a place of neutrality is ideal, because only then can we be sure we're acting in the best interests of our clients, open to whatever the person on the table needs in the present moment. In order to hold this place of neutrality, we must hold as little judgment as possible about the other person and ourselves—which is easier said than done! Still, striving for neutrality creates a discipline of catching that moment when we start to form ideas about what should be happening or predicting the outcome. The more awareness we can bring to monitoring our own biases, the easier it is to find a neutral place. In bodywork, as in life, none of us like to be told what to do; and we are soon able to detect any agenda someone may have planned for us! People make the most progress when they follow the wisdom of their bodies, not the ideas of their therapist or helper. The bottom line is that when we are touched in a neutral way, we feel great, like somebody is really paying attention to us. Working with the subtleties involved in finding a neutral place is a continuous and fascinating process. Finding Neutral The following is a fun and simple exercise for exploring and feeling into the concept of being neutral. Sit opposite a friend with your knees close to each other, and place your hands on his or her knees. As you do so, have the intention of sending energy through your hands and into his or her body. Pay attention to what it feels like for you to be putting energy in and have your friend pay attention to what it feels like, as well. You only need to do this for a few minutes, and then gently take your hands away. Take a moment for each of you to share your observations. What did this feel like? Was it comfortable? Intense? Warm? Use all of your senses to describe what you felt. Now, place your hands back on your friend's knees, with the intention of taking energy out. Stay with that intention for a few minutes, and then take some time for observation and feedback once you take your hands off. Finally, place your hands back on your friend's knees, but this time hold the intention of being neutral, neither putting energy in nor taking it out. While you're doing this, check in to see if it feels neutral to him or her as well. Stay here and play with the sensations to get the feeling of neutrality finely tuned. Once you have the feeling of neutrality reliably in your hands, change your intention so your hands are providing exactly what your friend needs at this moment. Get feedback from your friend, and check in with yourself to be sure you're not just falling into a pattern of giving or taking, but responding appropriately to what the tissues are asking for. Stay grounded and present. (Adapted from From My Hands and Heart: Achieving Health and Balance with Craniosacral Therapy, Kate Mackinnon, Hay House, 2013.) Cultivating neutrality encourages us to be aware of our choices and challenge our habitual reactions and assumptions.