Cranial Sacral Skills Part 2 (CSS2)

Tutor: John Wilks

In-house Location: Somerset

Summary: Building on part 1, further exploration of this gentle but extremely effective method of palpating the tissues and balancing cranial rhythms. Includes a Question & Answer session around students experiences of using the hand holds from Part 1.

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Somerset: 12-13 July 2025 (£240)
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Overview

*Accredited By the Bowen Association* - and following on from our Cranial Sacral Skills Part 1, we are delighted to offer this two day seminar to further explore the principles and practices of the wonderful world of Craniosacral Therapy.

This 2 day course with international tutor and therapist John Wilks (MA RCST BTAA) will provide a deeper understanding and broader application of the skills as outlined in part one of this course. Attending part one is therefore a prerequisite for joining this course.

Students will have the opportunity to further refine their palpation skills which are of fundamental importance for any manual therapist. During the two days there will also be an interpretation of what is sensed beneath one’s hands and the implications for treatment approaches, whatever your modality.

This course will focus on a traditional Biodynamic approach that developed from the founder of Cranial Osteopathy, Dr William Sutherland. This particular approach is non-invasive and relies on sensitive palpation of the tissues and cranial rhythms - both of which are very useful skills for all manual therapists.

For qualified Massage Therapists/Bodyworkers

Course Content

John Wilks

Studies commence at 9.30 a.m. and finish at 5.30 p.m.

Day 1

• Question and answer session around students experiences of using the hand holds from Part 1
• Differentiating what you sense under your hands between fluids, fascia, bone and dura
• A review of the principles and handholds outlined in part one - cradle hold and temporals
• Work around the TMJ
• Review of frontal dynamics with the addition of zygoma and maxilla.
• Practitioner fulcrums and being present for your client
• An exploration of trust & safety in the therapeutic setting and why this is important-negotiation of touch
• Intraosseous patterns explored and how to work with them
• Work at the sacrum with the addition of the pelvic hold
• Working with organs

Day 2

• Trauma - what it is and how to work within the ‘window of tolerance’
• More detailed work at joints and palpating whole body patterns from the feet
• More detailed palpation of the atlas, axis and occiput with a focus on the vagus and how the neck is affected by birth patterns
• Energetic work at the umbilicus
• Intra and inter-osseous patterns at the SBJ
• A look at techniques such as ‘v-spreads’, direction of fluids, and venous sinuses drainage
• Accessing the dura via the frontal-occiput hold
• Palpation at the lumbar and thoracic spine with a particular focus on the function of the Psoas
• Overview of the Cranial nerves and how they can be affected by nerve entrapment in the cranium and neck. A discussion of potential symptoms and what manual approaches could be used
• Further exploration of stillpoints - what they are and how to feel them and encourage them
• An explanation of CV4 and EV4 by holding the sacrum and occiput side-lying
• Integrate palpations and assessment into a treatment plan, whatever your modality

Many Associations accept our courses for CPD including the IFPA (12 Category A Points).

Please note: Pre-requisite – Craniosacral Skills Part 1.