The Mind: Combining Science and Mindfulness to Enhance Effectiveness
The power of the Mind is unlimited. The clarity and quality of our Mind influences our physical health & vitality, our emotional balance, and our perceptions of the world. As Cranial Sacral Workers, we understand that working with the Mind is as important as working with the bones and tissues to the well-being of our clients. Through the application of Craniosacral touch and the visionary approach, we can effectively work with the Mind of our clients to facilitate greater balance, harmony, and health.

What is the Mind? Although modern thinking tends to equate the Mind with the Brain, ancient wisdom cultures understood that the Mind is much more than the Brain. A complete exploration of the Mind must include not only the Head, but the Heart, the Hara, & the Soul/Spirit. Each of these aspects brings important understandings that enhance our ability to be of service to our clients when these systems are out of balance. In this class, craniosacral work combines the modern findings of Science with the ancient traditions of Mindfulness to offer practical protocols for harmonizing and balancing each layer of the Mind.

In this 4-day seminar:
• We will begin our exploration of the Mind with an understanding of the Brain: brain anatomy, function, & chemistry. We will link common symptoms of disharmony (ADHD, depression, mood swings, processing difficulties, PTSD, anxiety disorders, etc.) with their associated areas of the brain. A simple protocol for balancing and harmonizing the major areas of the brain will provide an experiential understanding of how craniosacral therapy is uniquely positioned to assist our clients in addressing concerns associated with brain dysfunction.

• In addition to the Brain, we will explore the Eastern view of the Xin (or Heart/Mind). In the East, the energy of the Heart has a potent influence on our consciousness and mental activity. In this cosmology, imbalances in the Heart are related to problems that the West considers mental or brain "disorders." This section will cover heart anatomy, the heart’s connection with the brain, and the role emotions play in our capacity to think clearly, make good decisions, and regulate our nervous system. The Heart protocol offers techniques to address stress, adrenal issues, circulatory and immune issues.

• We will also look at the Mind through the lens of the Hara. Scientific research is beginning to acknowledge what folk healing has always known -- that the gut is our second brain. What happens (or doesn't happen) in our Hara has a tremendous impact on our mood, our well-being, and our overall health and vitality. We will cover the anatomy of the gut, explore how the gut-brain interacts with the head-brain, and understand how medicating one brain affects the other brains. The Hara protocol will include techniques to balance moods, relieve anxiety, and unwind and charge the abdominal brain.

• We will conclude our journey, by working with different paradigms of Soul/Spirit. Our work with the 3 dantians and the Long Tide will enable us to experience how reconnecting with the Mind of the Soul & Spirit can address issues with physical, emotional, & mental health.

• This class will also offer ways for us as practitioners to more easily calm and center ourselves allowing us to connect more deeply with our own Head, Heart, Hara and Soul.

Each time we connect with our clients, we know that we can have a profound effect on more than what we touch with our fingertips. We will address common dysfunctions with each system and focus on the practical ways that CranioSacral Therapy can assist in harmonizing and balancing each layer of the Mind.

***Note: For those people who attended Benjamin Shields’ The Brain class, the material covered in The Mind class contains ~ 15% overlap.

This class is eligible for 32 CE hours through NCBTMB

Prerequisites: This is not an introductory craniosacral therapy course. Previous cranial sacral training and/or practice is required. Please email info@thepath.us if you are unsure if your experience fulfills the prerequisite.

When: June 14-17, 2012 Thursday-Sunday, 9:00-6PM or September 1-4, 2012 Saturday-Tuesday, 9:00-6PM
Cost: $650 if registered and paid 28 days or more before the class starts (May 17 or August 4), otherwise $715
Registration: Please download and fill out The Mind registration form and send via email to Cristina Levert at info@thepath.us.

For questions about The Mind class, Cristina can also be reached by phone at 510.559.0376

The completed registration form and a $250 deposit (or full payment) are needed to reserve your place in the class. The balance is due 28 days before class starts. Cancellations made more than 28 days in advance will receive a full refund minus a $50 processing fee. No refunds are provided for cancellations made less than 28 days before class.