I recently participated in a dolphin assisted craniosacral therapy program with the Upledger Institute in Freeport, Grand Bahama. It was an 8 day intense training and treating clients program.
The first 4 days, experienced craniosacral therapists got to learn about CST in water, whether it was in the pool or in the ocean.
Each morning we received instructions on techniques in the water and we all got treatments from each other in a “multi hand” format; first in the pool than later in the afternoon in the ocean. “Multi hand” means, there were two therapists working on one client at the same time. The experience I had was quite surprising, moving and intense. It was not the first time I received CST work, but it was the first time I received it in water. My curiosity about it received an experience I will never forget.
I spent most of my life in the pool as a competitive swimmer from the age of 6 till my late teens, taught and coached swimming for a number of years after, so I thought I was familiar with the atmosphere pool water provides.
“To know is to know that you know nothing” – Socrates. I now can say, I know what Socrates was talking about. No pun intended. 🙂
The pool and ocean waters were warm, heated by the Bahamian sun, so none of us was aware of feeling cold as we laid still or stood holding our client in the water. The flexibility and flow of the water allowed for body movements that laying on a treatment table may not allow so freely. Melting in and having your ears underwater throughout the whole treatment was incredibly relaxing.
At the same time as the body expresses itself, all sorts of memories, thoughts and beliefs surfaced that were deep within, but were ready to be repatterned. Some were gone as quickly as they came and some needed more time to process through and integrate. This is the reason we had 3 sessions each day in both 4 day sessions.
And then the dolphins… They are incredible to be around!
Our first encounter happened right after the first treatment in the pool. We got to go to a special dolphin training center where we were able to have a 20 minute free swim with the dolphins. We got to know them up close, got to touch them and play with them. We got hugs and kisses too. We also experienced a treatment session with them on the third day. The hip pain that was waking me up each night months prior and up till dolphin treatment day is completely gone. I am enjoying my sleep through the night since then. Honestly.
The second part of the program included patients who came to receive treatment for various reasons. The first morning sitting in a circle, we all introduced ourselves and got to know the patients and their health or emotional difficulties. Patients received 3 multi-hand treatments for 4 days and they also received a 45 minute treatment from dolphins once each day.
The shifts in the way our clients felt from day 1 to day 4 as they shared in the circle each morning, filled the room with joy and gratitude. We all were looking forward to what the next day was going to gift us with.
I am attaching a video link from the Upledger Institute that explains more about the therapy program. I feel honored to have met the founders and teachers of the program. I am also grateful for all the gifted therapists that were participating and I had the pleasure of working with.
Here is the link. Scroll down a bit for the video to show up.
https://www.integrativeintentions.com/
To our health and wellness! It is not only possible, it is inevitable. It is not an “if”, it is a WHEN.
