Craniosacral therapy and Chi Kung practices to harmonize emotions, release chronic tensions, and optimize the flow of energy • Provides illustrated instructions for movement exercises, breathwork, self-massage, and emotional intelligence meditations to free the flow of energy in the body • Reveals clear parallels between the craniosacral rhythm and the flow of chi • Explains how to release energetic blockages and emotional and physiological knots, activate the energetic pumps of the 3 tan tiens, and tap in to the Cosmic Flow Exploring the connections between Western craniosacral therapy and Chi Kung, Taoist master Mantak Chia and craniosacral instructor Joyce Thom detail movement exercises, breathwork practices, self-massage techniques, and focused meditations from Taoist and other wisdom traditions to release and harmonize the flow of energy in the body and optimize our potential for physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The authors link the craniosacral rhythm--the gentle flow of cerebrospinal fluid from the head (cranium) to the tailbone (sacrum)--and the flow of chi throughout the body, circulated by the pumps of the three tan tiens. They explain how these subtle energetic flows indicate the harmony or disharmony of the whole person and are greatly affected by physical traumas, chronic tensions, and unresolved emotions. For example, the psoas muscle, known in Taoism as the muscle of the Soul, connects the spine to the legs and is the first muscle to contract when anger or fear triggers our fight-or-flight response. Often a storehouse of subconscious stressors, this muscle’s sensitivity is connected to many common ailments like back pain. Providing step-by-step illustrated exercise instructions, the authors explain how to identify and unwind energetic blockages and emotional and physiological knots. They explore emotional intelligence exercises for tuning in to our hearts so we can listen to our bodies’ messages and learn to relieve related emotional burdens. They also reveal how to activate the cranial, respiratory/cardiac, and sacral pumps of the three tan tiens to optimize the body’s energetic flow and explain how, when our energy is flowing freely, we can enter the Cosmic Flow--a state of calm well-being and extraordinary creativity where we find ourselves truly at one with the universe.

Chi Kung is the best kept secret on the planet. It is a powerful way of becoming fit, healthy and balanced through opening and mobilising the body and joints, breathing techniques, slow movement exercises, standing postures, special walking methods and meditation. It can be done anywhere, any time, in whatever you are wearing. With consistent practice you can transform your health to a high level of vitality. Ged Sumner writes with rich insights into how to begin to think about your body and how to take the steps that will enable you to transform your practice. Completely accessible to those new to the field, the book will also be transformative for more experienced practitioners, providing many new ways of looking at `old' elements of Chi Kung practice, and exploring the essential parts of the body most affected by Chi Kung. This modern, accessible approach to Chi Kung by a highly experienced teacher integrates mind and body and shows you how to become sensitive to yourself. A free website shows video footage of the forms in the book for easy reference.

Craniosacral therapy and Chi Kung practices to harmonize emotions, release chronic tensions, and optimize the flow of energy • Provides illustrated instructions for movement exercises, breathwork, self-massage, and emotional intelligence meditations to free the flow of energy in the body • Reveals clear parallels between the craniosacral rhythm and the flow of chi • Explains how to release energetic blockages and emotional and physiological knots, activate the energetic pumps of the 3 tan tiens, and tap in to the Cosmic Flow Exploring the connections between Western craniosacral therapy and Chi Kung, Taoist master Mantak Chia and craniosacral instructor Joyce Thom detail movement exercises, breathwork practices, self-massage techniques, and focused meditations from Taoist and other wisdom traditions to release and harmonize the flow of energy in the body and optimize our potential for physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The authors link the craniosacral rhythm--the gentle flow of cerebrospinal fluid from the head (cranium) to the tailbone (sacrum)--and the flow of chi throughout the body, circulated by the pumps of the three tan tiens. They explain how these subtle energetic flows indicate the harmony or disharmony of the whole person and are greatly affected by physical traumas, chronic tensions, and unresolved emotions. For example, the psoas muscle, known in Taoism as the muscle of the Soul, connects the spine to the legs and is the first muscle to contract when anger or fear triggers our fight-or-flight response. Often a storehouse of subconscious stressors, this muscle’s sensitivity is connected to many common ailments like back pain. Providing step-by-step illustrated exercise instructions, the authors explain how to identify and unwind energetic blockages and emotional and physiological knots. They explore emotional intelligence exercises for tuning in to our hearts so we can listen to our bodies’ messages and learn to relieve related emotional burdens. They also reveal how to activate the cranial, respiratory/cardiac, and sacral pumps of the three tan tiens to optimize the body’s energetic flow and explain how, when our energy is flowing freely, we can enter the Cosmic Flow--a state of calm well-being and extraordinary creativity where we find ourselves truly at one with the universe.

At the deepest level of our physiology, all living tissues and fluids expand and contract with the 'breath of life'. Through gentle touch, the skilled practitioner can interact with these subtle rhythms to address physical aches and pains, acute or chronic disease, emotional or psychological disturbances, or simply to promote enduring health and vitality. This new and important textbook demystifies the biodynamic approach to craniosacral therapy and shows how and why it can be so effective at bringing about a natural realignment towards optimal health. The authors describe how to 'listen' and respond appropriately to each client's system, how to create a safe space for working with different kinds of trauma, and how to address specific states of imbalance to support deep-felt and lasting change. Throughout the book, experiential exercises encourage the reader to practice their newly-acquired skills, and refine their knowledge of human anatomy and physiology. A final chapter on practice development covers issues pertinent to practitioners trying to set up and maintain a successful practice. This intensely practical textbook will transform the practice of craniosacral therapists, and contains much that bodyworkers of all kinds will find useful.

Body Intelligence offers a new understanding of how the body works and leads the reader to a greater sense of wellbeing and an enriched sense of self. The anatomy of the body is explored without the complexity of medical terminology. Instead, common descriptions are used along with a multitude of images, allowing the reader to visualize and work with different levels of the body. Experiential exercises, guided meditations and movements are provided throughout the book, helping the reader to develop improved levels of health and body intelligence that are natural and accessible all the time. As body intelligence increases through these exercises, physical changes occur and a new posture emerges, followed by positive mental and emotional shifts. The reader will begin to feel differently, move differently and think differently. This book will benefit everyone. People experiencing depression, fatigue, emotional issues, stress and anxiety and in fact any condition associated with living in a human body have the potential to be relieved of their symptoms with practice using this book as guidance.

A guide to restoring women’s reproductive health and maintaining sexual desire • Includes fully illustrated instructions for Chi Kung exercises to clear energetic blockages, tone the female reproductive organs, prevent uterine cancer, and restore sexual vitality • Explains how to strengthen the pelvic floor with chi weight lifting and how to perform breast and female genital massage • Offers guidance on supporting your practice with dietary advice, restorative cleanses, and herbal remedies In this fully illustrated guide, Mantak Chia and William U. Wei explain how to use the energetic and physical practice of Chi Kung to balance hormones, offset abnormal cell growth, prevent uterine cancer, and restore sexual vigor to the female reproductive system. With step-by-step instructions, they provide exercises to open the energetic pathways connected to the female reproductive organs and clear the energy blockages that lead to sexual dysfunction and illness. They explain how to perform breast and female genital massage to circulate chi and sexual energy. They detail the practice of chi weight lifting--advanced Kegel-type exercises using a jade egg--to stimulate age-delaying hormones and strengthen the pelvic floor. To maximize the benefits of the exercises, the authors offer dietary guidance, restorative cleanses, and herbal remedies to further support female reproductive healing and maintenance of sexual desire.

Ged Sumner introduces the unique Body Intelligence form of meditation which creates a deeply felt connection with the physical body. The exercises and meditations inspire readers to take time out from the stresses of modern life, and helps them to tune in to subtle states of life that lie within the body. Pathways are provided to access different levels of connections, from the powerful, collective wholeness of the diaphragm to the calmness and flow of the fluid body. With a little practice a deep relationship and awareness emerges. The innovative methods Sumner describes allow practitioners to open up their awareness of the body's sensations, bringing about a powerful sense of presence and experience of the now. This can lead to remarkable meditative states of bliss, energy and trauma resolution. An original approach, this book will be an invaluable resource for anyone interested in meditation, particularly practitioners of craniosacral therapy, chi kung, martial arts, shiatsu, yoga, Rolfing, massage and anyone who uses meditation to deepen and support their practice.