CranioSacral Exercise, Scaravelli Inspired Yoga, Catherine Annis

Craniosacral Rhythm

This week in our Online Yoga Classes we've been exploring approaches to downregulating and soothing our nervous system by visualising the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid is encased in a closed system, contained within the cranium, spine and sacrum. It bathes your brain, travels through the spinal canal, where it soothes and supports the spinal cord, before travelling into a pocket within the sacrum.

It moves in a subtle, rhythmic flow, unique to each individual. An experienced cranio-sacral therapist places their hands beneath sacrum and cranium and makes small adjustments to balance this rhythm and return our bodies to harmony. There's enormous benefit to working with an experienced hands-on therapist, but it's not always possible.

Be your own therapist

If you'd like to work with your own craniosacral rhythm, set aside about 10 mins, switch off your phone and make sure you're warm enough.

∗  Lay down, knees bent, feet flat

∗  Sense into the shape of your sacrum, particularly the way it curves
Imagine the fluid filled pocket within the sacrum and visualise that fluid tipping towards the tail end of the sacrum

∗  Let your sacrum follow

∗  Then imagine the fluid travelling toward the top of the sacrum, towards your waist

∗  Continue with this image - the stronger and more engaging the image, the clearer the movement will be

∗  After a few minutes, see if you can feel the wavelike movement begin to travel up your spine, towards your head, and notice how your head may join in the gentle rocking motion

∗  Drop into your feet and let your pelvis float away from the floor

∗  Now that your hips are free of the support of the ground, there's more space to explore this movement and to feel it travelling along the spine

∗  Float your arms upwards towards the ceiling,

∗  The pulse of the flow of CSF may now stimulate delicate, liquid irregular and exploratory movements of the arms, provoking a sense of fluid movement throughout your pelvis, spine and even shoulder joints

Exercise

Yoga Class Video : Self Care & Craniosacral Therapy

Some yoga is all about our experience of movements and muscularity.  But there’s another way to practice which takes us into the deep rhythms and pulses of the fluid body.

The central nervous system is bathed in craniosacral fluid (CSF), which bathes the brain, flows through the spinal canal and on down into a pocket within the sacrum.  When the fluid is optimally balanced and flowing harmoniously, we feel calm, that all is well with the world and within us.

Usually we visit a therapist who will provide touch and tiny delicate movements to promote harmony within the system.

During this yoga class we explore how it’s possible, with delicacy and attention, to stimulate a harmonious sense of fluid movement and bring ourselves into a sense of balance and ease and quiet.

Have you ever thought about becoming a qualified yoga teacher?

Take a look at Catherine's accredited Intelligent Yoga Teacher Training course with renowned yoga and anatomy teacher, Gary Carter.

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