New CranioSacral Therapy Workshop in Israel
Shmuel and William Co-treating at the Pediatric Intensive Program, Ramat Rachel 14/08/07
Introduction To Cranio-Sacral Therapy
A 4 hour Workshop Presented by The Center for Health in Israel (CHI)
One of the goals of CHI is to teach people that they play the most active role in their own health. Because many have surrendered their healing potential to advanced technology, we offer this introduction to Cranio-Sacral Therapy in order to help them develop an appreciation for their own abilities to heal.
This unique short workshop has been specifically designed by Stuart and William for persons with no prior knowledge of Cranio-Sacral Therapy. The therapy has been shown to diagnose and treat misunderstood malfunctions involving the brain, spinal cord, and a myriad of other health problems such as chronic pain and lowered vitality, recurring infections, etc.
Workshop participants with no background in this area can learn about the Cranio-Sacral System and its influence on their overall health. The main topics of Energy, Structure and Intention are taught as are basic techniques designed to relieve headaches, reduce stress, control pain, promote relaxation, and to lead participants to a greater understanding of their role in their own health will be taught in a highly experiential few hours.
This workshop provides a medium in which people may come to realize the ir natural healing, and an excellent introduction to learning the CranioSacral System.
For those participants going on to take part in First Level Art of Subtle Palpation, the workshop gives practical experience and methods for using the techniques in a non-clinical environment and a good understanding of the principles involved..
What is CranioSacral Therapy?
This manual therapy is a gentle, non-invasive method of evaluating and enhancing the function of a physiological system called the craniosacral system. CST enhances the body’s natural healing processes and has been proven effective in treating a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction, including accidental, genetic and/or hereditary disabilities, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The craniosacral system consists of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and the spinal cord. It extends from the bones of the skull, face and mouth- which make up the cranium- down to the sacrum, or tailbone.
The positive effect of CranioSacral Therapy relies to a large extent on the patient’s natural self-corrective physiological abilities. The therapist’s light, hands -on approach assists the hydraulic forces inherent within the craniosacral system to improve the body’s internal environment. Examination and correction are both accomplished by hands on testing for movements and restrictions. The goal is to achieve a more conducive state in the brain and spinal cord for natural healing to take place.
The Instructors
Stuart (Shmuel) Berger, PT, Physical Therapy
Shmuel has been in private practice specializing in CST and SER in Aventura, Florida from 1993-1998 and in Jerusalem, Israel from 1998 till the present.
After graduating from the Sackler School of Medicine Physical Therapy Department at Tel Aviv University in 1990, he continued his training in Osteopathy at the Upledger Institute. In 1997, Shmuel completed Advanced Level 2 CST with Dr. John Upledger.
While in Florida, he helped set up the official guidelines for study group leaders for the Upledger Institute. He was also on the staff of the Miami-Dade PTA program and the FIU PT program, serving as the Center Coordinator for Clinical Education (CCCE) at these schools.
Using his background in physical therapy, osteopathy, martial arts, meditation and Judaism, Shmuel has developed and teaches a 6 level curriculum of the Art of Subtle Palpation (ASP). This curriculum provides the training and instruction to become a Holistic Practitioner. Shmuel has students throughout Israel and America. In addition, he is the Director Of Physical Therapy at the Seach Sod School for Special Education.
Shmuel was also a 2 time member and team therapist of the Israeli National Flag Football Team , which achieved 3rd place in the World Tournament in 2003. He also presently coaches the Jerusalem 16-18 year old baseball team of the Israel Association of Baseball (IAB).
William Livingstone, BSc, Naturopath
William arrived in Israel from Scotland in 1969 with a degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the world renowned St. Andrews University.
After spending nearly 6 years in Tzahal, and another year and a half in Rafael, he decided to do something useful for humanity. So he became a teacher of Transcendental Meditation, an insurance agent, a student of Naturopathy (the latter at the College of Natural Medicine in Tel Aviv, where he graduated in 1995) and a Qualified Yoga Laughter Facilitator (graduating from the courses developed by both Dr Madan Kataria in India (http://www.laughteryoga.org/) and Steve Wilson in Ohio, USA (http://www.worldlaughtertour.com/).
And so, for almost 30 years William has been working in, treating and teaching Natural Medicine and Stress Management. He practices his trade in a clinic at his home in Hararit in the Galil, and in Carmiel, where his favourite modes of treatment are Cranial Sacral Therapy and Guided Imagery.
William teaches various aspects of natural medicine (Naturopathic principles, natural nutrition, reflexology and laughter) at Institutes of Higher Learning throughout the country, from Eilat in the south to Tel Chai in the north. He is well known as a facilitator for his students to experience very powerful life processing. These days he’s teaching at The College of Complementary Medicine at both their Ramat Efal and Technion, Haifa Campuses.
The Mix – Stuart and William
Together the two practitioner / teachers bring a unique and very powerful synergy to both the clinic and the class room. Both are graduates of the John Upledger System of Cranial Sacral Balancing (http://upledger.com/). They are presently the only therapists in Israel offering an Intensive Program. This program was first begun in 1988 at the Upledger Cranio Sacral Institute in Florida and has now been expanded to meet the needs of the Israeli population. William and Stuart are the two senior therapists of the Center for Health in Israel (CHI - http://chiisrael.wordpress.com/about/).
The Intensive Program - How Do We Help?
The Intensive Program at present consists of a three hour therapy, with each patient receiving simultaneous and synchronised treatment by both Stuart and William.
All patients receive CranioSacral Therapy and SomatoEmotional Release as well as a myriad of techniques that, through valid research, have shown promise without risk. The goal of the program is to help each patient reach his optimum functional level while maximizing the use of his or her own internal healing resources.
Who Can We Help?
Patients who have been injured at birth or through an accident. Children who were born prematurely and are suffering from developmental delays. They may have a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, multiple sclerosis, autism, muscular dystrophy, or post traumatic stress disorder. Regardless of the circumstances, they have one thing in common - they have been told that little can be done to upgrade their present level of function
