Systemic Family Constellations and Craniosacral work

"What did Constellation Work do for you?"

"First of all, it brought me very close in contact with my own physical and emotional body, and from there even closer to understanding my bodymind. Constellation Work in a group had a greater effect on my emotional self-awareness than craniosacral work. However, I hold the idea that systemic work cannot replace craniosacral work and vice versa.

"Systemic Constellations are connected with the 'Knowing Field, and Craniosacral Work is more connected with the 'Physical Field?"

It appears, after so many craniosacral sessions and systemic constellations, that we have layers of fascia that are sensitive to fields. We know that we respond to others with a change in our own field, with a change in how we feel ourselves. With Systemic Family Constellation Work we can sense these fields at work when we use representatives for aspects of an issue that wish to be resolved. A release from a tension is expressed and felt physically. We might say that, from a field of knowledge, a wider perspective settles in.

In Craniosacral Work, by definition 'hands-on', we work the other way around. In this modality the client has a choice about the depth of approach; to stay on a safe physical level, or to search for the cause of the restriction on a deeper emotional or systemic level. Craniosacral Work offers the possibility to include Systemic Work, and also offers to my opinion a step by step monitoring because it is a hands-on method. It offers the possibility to palpate the responses of the fascia, of the brain, of the central nervous system.

Both modalities are applied to achieve greater health. Good, great health expresses itself in the measure of Relaxation as a measure for the absence of tension. Chronic tension leads to dense tense fascia. Both modalities have an effect on the fascia. Systemic Work emphasizes more on interconnectedness with the world around us, and craniosacral work on interconnectedness with a world inside us. Coming from two directions both modalities overlap very much where they meet.

The choice between the two at the start of a treatment depends on the client's request. In the end, one can say that the best results are achieved when one modality is complemented by the other.

"Both modalities have an effect on the fascia, fascia is tissue. How can an overwhelming experience, which is also a feeling, at the same time be tissue?"

One wonders where thoughts reside. One wonders where our memories and even memories that belong to other people reside in our system. I believe that the fascia play an important role in memory. More specific ... the various types of collagen. Understanding the fascial memory and the feed and feedback loops with the brain plays a big role in cranio. If our fascia store these memories, then they influence our physicality and make us respond in an almost automatic way, and not always to our best advantage.

If we understand Craniosacral Work, Fascial Work, and Systemic Constellation work, we have three interconnected tools at hand.

"How does a request influence the treatment"

In school medicine this is very clear: Symptom-Treatment.

Craniosacral Work comes from the osteopathic modality. I feel strongly that Systemic Constellation also finds its place in the osteopathic philosophical approach. A client's request is like a door to a solution, and it depends, of course, on the client in how far that door shall be opened. The request itself plays an ongoing role throughout all the phases of a healing process. Usually, the request becomes more refined.

In a Symptom-Treatment approach, this is not possible: With the symptom vanished, also the request ceases to exist.

The aim of a request resides in a context, the clients context. This context is brought into the session not only physically but also as a field. Here we see that the way the request is brought in helps to decide whether to use a craniosacral approach or a systemic constellation.

There is one more aspect in craniosacral work, and that is that this way of approach allows the release of tensions that are no longer needed. In one craniosacral session, it is possible, when we map the tensions, to address a sequence of tensions.

If the client understands that it is the bodymind longing for a different perspective as a way to move on and to become, as in becoming authentic, then the road is open for a never-ending learning and appreciation for the endlessly surprising ways of life to teach us, without feeling taught, more in a relaxed patient way. Life has patience. The Knowing Field doesn't put pressure.

"How does this work continue in the client's life?"

If someone is open to the response of the bodymind and open to the integration of a new perspective, then much is gained from sessions, although there may always be a feeling that it was not enough.

If the client takes the new perspective solely with the brain then the aim is projected relaxation first of all. It's a choice, and it should be respected without further opinion.

Even if there is a relaxation physically, the ultimate relaxation should happen in the field and the bodymind. This may happen in an instant, and without thinking, we sense it immediately.

"What exactly surfaces in sessions?"

Long forgotten, seemingly unimportant moments have led to an immediate reaction that same long ago. The response has turned into a stance, leading to typical, unique behavioral patterns. It would be false to call it 'character', though that happens often.

We are searching to maintain authenticity amidst turmoil. However, it is only in connectedness, that a problematic situation truly dissolves. This is often equally surprising for those who are new to Craniosacral Work and in Constellation Work

Often we hear clients say, "When this is possible, then what more is possible?" Many become curious to explore deeper levels because their relationships and quality of life improve. After solving a first request they often come for an open session without a request. In craniosacral work this is very well possible, but systemic constellation work often starts with a request, because it is so new for many people. A request gives a hold.

"What did Constellation Work do for you?"

What did Constellation Work do for me? Systemic Constellation Work helped me greatly to be a freer person, less dependent, more trusting, more sensitive, living with more ease and pleasure."