What is Craniosacral Therapy

Introduction to Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy
by Michael Kern,
DO., R.C.S.T., M.I.Cr.A., N.D.

Life and motion
Life expresses itself as motion. At a deep level of our physiological functioning all healthy, living tissues subtly "breathe" with the motion of life - a phenomenon that produces rhythmic impulses which can be palpated by sensitive hands. The presence of these subtle rhythms in the body was discovered by osteopath Dr William Sutherland over 100 years ago, after he had a remarkable insight while examining the specialized articulations of cranial bones. Contrary to popular belief Dr Sutherland realized that cranial sutures were, in fact, designed to express small degrees of motion. He undertook many years of research during which he demonstrated the existence of this motion and eventually concluded it is essentially produced by the body's inherent life force, which he referred to as the "Breath of Life." Furthermore, Dr Sutherland discovered that the motion of cranial bones he first discovered is closely connected to subtle movements that involve a network of interrelated tissues and fluids at the core of the body; including cerebrospinal fluid (the 'sap in the tree'), the central nervous system, the membranes that surround the central nervous system and the sacrum.
The "Breath of Life"
The Breath of Life produces a series of subtle rhythms that may be palpated in the body and which make up an integrated physiological system. At least three subtle rhythms have been identified in this "primary respiratory system", each having a different rate and producing rhythms within rhythms. These three "tides" are referred to as:

• the cranial rhythmic impulse; a more superficial rhythm expressed at an average rate of 8-12 cycles per minute,
  
• the mid-tide; a tidal rhythm that carries ordering forces into the body expressed at a slower rate of approximately 2.5 cycles per minute and
• the long tide; a deep and slow rhythmic impulse expressed about once every 100 seconds. The long tide is considered to be the first stirring of life and motion as the Breath of Life emerges from a deeper ground of stillness at the center of our being.

Essential ordering principle
In the biodynamic approach of craniosacral work the subtle rhythms produced by the Breath of Life are regarded as expressions of health that carry an essential ordering principle for both body and mind. Dr Sutherland realized the important role played by the fluids in the body (particularly cerebrospinal fluid) in helping to disseminate these ordering forces throughout the body.
The essential ordering principle carried in the rhythms of the Breath of Life acts as a blueprint for health which is present from the time of our early embryological development and is the fundamental factor that maintains balance in our form and function. Thus, the ability of cells and tissues to express their primary respiratory motion is a critical factor in determining our state of health - when these rhythms are expressed in fullness and balance, health and well-being naturally follow.
Inertial patterning
During the course of our lives our bodies become patterned, shaped and conditioned according to how we¹re able to deal with any stresses or traumas. If stresses or traumas are overwhelming, they become locked in the body as sites of inertia - until such a time as we are able to access resources that allow them to be processed and released. These sites of inertia effect the natural rhythmical movements of the Breath of Life and so hinder the ability of our essential blueprint for health to manifest at a cellular level.
Common causes of inertia are physical injuries, emotional and psychological stresses, birth trauma and toxicity. Due to an accumulation of these stresses, tissues can become imprinted with the memory of unresolved experiences and so act like video tape which may keep replaying whenever stimulated.
A gentle facilitation
The emphasis in Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy is to help resolve the trapped forces that underlie and govern patterns of disease and fragmentation in both body and mind. This involves the practitioner "listening through the hands" to the body's subtle rhythms and any patterns of inertia or congestion. Through the development of subtle palpatory skills the practitioner can read the story of the body, identify places where issues are held and then follow the natural priorities for healing as directed by the patient¹s own physiology.
The intention of treatment is to facilitate the expression of the Breath of Life and so enhance the body's own self-healing and self-regulating capabilities. This is done in a non-invasive way as the practitioner subtly and gently encourages the conditions that allow for the reemergence of primary respiratory motion. Furthermore, the practitioner's deep and clear quality of presence can become a reflective mirror for the patient and an invaluable cue for their potential for change.
A holistic approach
Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy takes a whole-person approach to healing and the inter-connections of mind, body and spirit are deeply acknowledged. It is an effective form of treatment for a wide range of illnesses helping to create the optimal conditions for health, encouraging vitality and facilitating a sense of well-being. It is suitable for people of all ages including babies, children and the elderly, and can be effective in acute or chronic cases. 
 
"Worms will not eat living wood where the vital sap is flowing; rust will not hinder the opening of a gate when the hinges are used each day.
Movement gives health and life.
Stagnation brings disease and death."

- proverb in traditional Chinese Medicine 

Source -  http://www.craniosacraltherapy.org/

Tongue Cleaning

Buy from Health and Yoga The Gheranda Samhita considers tongue cleaning "essential for the preservation of the teeth". The Caraka Samhita says, "The dirt which is collected at the root of the tongue creates obstructions in respiration and produces a foul smell, hence one should scrape the tongue."

A white film on the top of the tongue means there are millions of bacteria living there. The practice of scraping the tongue removes the white colour waste products from the surface of the tongue, and enhances the functioning of taste buds. Not only that, it helps to reduce halitosis, or bad breath and provides a clean environment for good dental hygiene.

A study done by Anne Bosy, co-founder of the Fresh Breath Clinic in Toronto, found that most people with bad breath do not have gum disease. Instead, she found that sulphur-producing bacteria live at the back of the tongue, bedding down under plaque and mucous. These bacteria are a source of halitosis.

Ordinary tooth bushing does not succeed in removing these colonies of bacteria, so many dentists have begun to teach people how to remove these "critters". Some dentists teach patients to brush their tongues with their toothbrushes. A drawback of this is that a moist toothbrush may continue to hold the bacteria. Unless you are willing to throw out your toothbrush on a continuous basis, I don't recommend this practice. Other dentists teach their patients how to use a "tongue scraper".

Yogis have been scraping their tongues clean for hundreds of years. The ancient science of Ayurveda has taught that tongue cleaning activates the salivary glands (which aids in our digestion) and it revitalizes the throat. When people complain of having a frequent sore throat, Ayurvedic doctors advise them to clean their tongues. Sinus infections can also benefit from cleaning the tongue. If your nose is blocked by mucous, preventing the passage of air so you need to breathe out your mouth, the bacteria thrive. By regularly scraping the tongue with a tongue cleaner the excess mucous and any minor infection is removed. (see Neti below, for further assistance with sinus problems).

For some people, no matter how much they brush, floss, eat breath fresheners, or avoid certain foods, bad breath or halitosis persists. But the "discovery" of these bacteria that dwell on the tongue, and the regular use of a tongue cleaner has resulted in many successes. A tongue is clean if it is a rosy-pink colour. Check out your tongue and see how rosy-pink it is!

How to use a Tongue Scraper or Cleaner Tongue scrapers are usually made from gold, silver, copper, tin, brass and stainless steel. Now you can also find them made of plastic. Stick out your tongue. Take the two ends of the tongue scraper in your hand, and reach the arch of it to the back of the tongue. Scrape forward several times, rinsing the white mucous off the scraper between scrapings. Rinse out the mouth once you are done. 


Source - http://www.yoga-age.com/

The Benefits of Colonic Hydrotherapy

Why Do People Receive Colon Hydrotherapy?

• Athletes have opted for colon therapy to improve metabolic efficiency.
• Many receive the treatments during a period of lifestyle change or as a preventive measure.
• Another group manifests symptoms of intestinal distress; constipation (some from prescription drugs), carbohydrate indigestion, diarrhea, gas, bloat, hemorrhoids, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, diverticulitis, colitis, parasites, skin conditions such as psoriasis, shingles, and eczema, inability to lose weight, and scar tissue and adhesions from surgery.
• Another group is pain motived; abdominal pain, continuous headaches and migraines, back or shoulder pain, aching joints, gout.
• A number of clients are immune-compromised with lupus, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis, cancer, chronic fatigue, Epstein-Barre, candida, infections, colds or influenza.
• Colon hydrotherapy sessions are used for medical reasons: pre- and post-surgery or barium x-ray, stool samples, and geriatric.
• A number come in during a fast, a cleansing program, a raw food diet, a liver and /or gallbladder flush, or recovering from an accident.
• Some are working on emotional issues which they feel are physiologically rooted in their intestines.

What Will Colonics Do For The Colon?

1. Cleanse the Colon: Breaks down toxic excrement so it can no longer harm your body or inhibit assimilation and elimination. Toxins built up over a long period are gently removed in a series of treatments. Your colon can begin to co-operate again as it was intended. In this sense, a colonic is a rejuvenation treatment.
   
2. Exercise the Colon Muscles: The build-up of toxins weakens the colon and impairs its functioning. The gentle filling and emptying of the colon improves peristalsis (muscular contraction) by which the colon naturally moves material. Having Colonics is like taking your colon to the gym.
   
3. Reshape the Colon: When problem conditions exist in the colon, they tend to alter its shape because the colon is a muscle and it will enlarge to the build up of toxins not being released. That in turn causes more problems. The gentle action of the water, coupled with massage techniques of the colon therapist, help to eliminate bulging pockets of poop and narrowed, spastic constrictions finally enabling the colon to resume its natural state.
   
4. Stimulated Reflex Points in the Colon: The colon is connected to every system and organ in the body by reflex points. The colonic stimulates these points thereby affecting the corresponding body parts in a beneficial way. Thus creating overall well-being and health in the body.
   
5. Hydration of the Whole Body: Water is absorbed into the body through the colon which increases the volume of blood. The circulation of the blood is increased, resulting in a greater bathing of the cells. This dilutes the toxins and flushes them out; relieving toxemia and uremia; and increasing elimination both through the kidneys, and the skin as well as the bowels. All this generally assists the cardiovascular and circulatory systems to be more efficient.

Benefits Of Colon Hydrotherapy

1. Compression of neighboring organs disappears or attenuates when volume reduces in the colon. Relaxing effect on organs above intestines such as the liver, heart, and lungs. Sensation of lightness may be experienced.
   
2. Reduces pressure in the intra-abdominal area which improves venous return from lower extremities and pelvic zone. Relaxes pressure on the hips and lumbar column and is beneficial to their mobility. Relaxes abdominal muscles from the action of water temperature and massage that accompany the colonic. Increases abdominal muscle tone due to reducing intestinal residues.
   
3. Stimulates peristaltic action of intestines restoring normal muscle tone and therefore removal of constipation. Potential to correct intestinal transit problems such as constipation and diarrhea without resorting to prescription drugs.
   
4. Sensation of well being due to the elimination of mucus, alimentary remainders not digested, gases and toxic bacteria. Relieves inflammation and edema due to elimination of irritating substances.
   
5. Expels parasites due to alternating water temperatures and complementary additives to colonic water such as garlic and other vermifuge (parasite killing) herbs. Decreases demineralization of body because it improves metabolism.
   
6. Relieves gynecological disorders such as cystitis and dysmenorrhea due to reduction of a prolapsed intestine. Reduces risk of complications after surgery because it reinforces natural immunity. We can suppose colon hydrotherapy improves functions of the large intestines, lymph and nervous system because a relation exists between them in the GI tract.
   
7. Reduces weight and slims due to activating elimination. Creates an increase in mental capacity and rejuvenation since it decreases the degenerative process, normal or accelerated, by removing toxic substances that affect biological aging.

Source - http://www.fountainofhealth.com/

Marijuana Increases Brain Cell Formation in the Hippocampus

Often times, medical marijuana patients are stigmatized as “stupid” and “lazy.” As insulting as these assumptions may be, marijuana activists have evidence that their medicine actually increases brain activity!

 

When comparing the positive effects marijuana has on brain activity in comparison to the harmful effects {on brain activity} of both alcohol and tobacco, the legalization of marijuana seems like a NO-BRAINER!

In 2005, Professor Xia Zhang, amongst some of his colleagues at Saskatchewan University, tested a synthetic form of THC (HU210) on a group of test rats to observe the effect that HU210 has on them. Particularly, the study focused on neurogenesis, which is brain cell formation and generation. The rats were given high doses of HU210, the THC-like compound, twice a day & everyday for ten days.

After the ten day study, the THC-like compound increased the rate of brain cell formation in the hippocampus by 40%! The hippocampus is the part of the brain used for memory forming, organizing, and storing. Symptoms of anxiety & depression in the rats also appeared to decrease.

While marijuana has been proven to have positive neurological effects, both tobacco & alcohol related studies show that each substance actually decreases brain cell formation. It is atrocious to think about the substances that the U.S. government allows its’ citizens to consume. Tobacco is literally the only legal product that will actually harm you if you use it correctly.

Why is the government heavily opposing marijuana if it increases the rate of brain cell formation? Well, too many people still think of marijuana users as “stupid” and “lazy.” With such a negative outlook on marijuana users, combined with false ideas they have about the medicine, citizens will unknowingly make judgments about marijuana.

More studies like the one presented above need to be released to the public by the mass. If the public knew the positive effects on marijuana, legalization will come much faster.

Source - http://nugs.com/

Programming Yourself for Success in the New Year

Every year, people tell themselves, "this year will be significant, I will resolve to pursue --- goal(s)." Unfortunately, due to a number of potential variables & excuses people manufacture that aren't for their own good, their resolution ends up by the wayside. Why is this? Could there be a reason why their goals for the new year end up sinking like the Titanic? Let's review what it takes to make a goal manifest & soar into reality..

The first step towards setting a goal is to be realistic, but not so realistic that you're beating around the bush. For instance, let's say you are trying to lose some pounds for the new year. Instead of stating bluntly "I want to lose 50 lbs. this year" we will attack the root culprit. So let's rephrase our goal as "I want to reduce my carbohydrate consumption this year so that I can lose weight & become a better father/mother/etc." It is also important to be very specific when stating your goal so you can refine it to where it sticks in your mind and the mind becomes a laser to etch this goal of yours into reality.

The next step towards accomplishing your goal lays in the power of association. So you want to lose weight right? You know that becoming leaner will not only allow you to live a longer and healthier life, but that you will become a better person in general. By the way, as a side note, we are not inferring that everyone should be a specific weight or look like an anorexic Hollywood model, what we are talking about is cases of obesity that can offset good health. So here is where it gets into the science of manifestation...

When we associate with people, images, environments that support our goal, guess what happens? It comes a lot faster than we expected and puts us on cruise control. Are we going to accomplish our goal of losing weight by hanging around people who love eating at buffets? Most likely not. We know that these people will only hinder our goal & make it harder to accomplish.

People don't only have a huge influence on individuals with weaker auras, but images, environment, even music all play a huge role in what goes on in the higher realms. People that are interested in wealth for example, know & understand this concept very well & apply it by hanging up pictures of expensive cars, hundred/thousand/even million dollar bills, big fancy houses, yachts, whatever floats your boat! We need to create an environment that will make our goal a success, so much as to literally create a "shrine" for our idea to manifest. This is literally the process of downloading a simple thought from the mental plane into 3d. Human beings are vices for such an intricate science.

Above all, keep an attitude that allows our feelings to allow us to know that our goal has already been accomplished. Out of all the tips that one can develop for success, this may be the most powerful yet. It allows us not to worry about when, where, or how it will occur and opens up the doors for the universe to bring it to us once we are ready. Opening your heart & soul for success is very important too. The people with the most success are those who program their minds for it.

May this coming year flood you with joy & prosperity,

~M

Govt Study Proves THC From Cannabis Destroys Leukemia, Breast And Lung Cancer Cells

The mammalian body has a highly developed immune system which guards against continuous invading protein attacks and aims at preventing, attenuating or repairing the inflicted damage.

It is conceivable that through evolution analogous biological protective systems have been evolved against non-protein attacks.

There is emerging evidence that lipid endocannabinoid signaling through cannabinoid 2 (CB₂) receptors may represent an example/part of such a protective system/armamentarium.

Inflammation/tissue injury triggers rapid elevations in local endocannabinoid levels, which in turn regulate signaling responses in immune and other cells modulating their critical functions.




 

Is lipid signaling through cannabinoid 2 receptors part of a protective system?

Pacher P, Mechoulam R.

Changes in endocannabinoid levels and/or CB₂ receptor expressions have been reported in almost all diseases affecting humans, ranging from cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, liver, kidney, neurodegenerative, psychiatric, bone, skin, autoimmune, lung disorders to pain and cancer, and modulating CB₂ receptor activity holds tremendous therapeutic potential in these pathologies.

While CB₂ receptor activation in general mediates immunosuppressive effects, which limit inflammation and associated tissue injury in large number of pathological conditions, in some disease states activation of the CB₂ receptor may enhance or even trigger tissue damage, which will also be discussed alongside the protective actions of the CB₂ receptor stimulation with endocannabinoids or synthetic agonists, and the possible biological mechanisms involved in these effects.

Source - http://www.riseearth.com/