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Hunched shoulders, an aching back, and a stiff neck are all signs of a body that could benefit from the soothing hands of a craniosacral therapist—even if you do yoga. In fact, practicing yoga can give you a head start on the benefits of craniosacral therapy (CST). The two complement each other in several ways, since CST is likely to have similar benefits to yoga: calming the central nervous system, boosting the immune system, and releasing the body's habitual tension patterns. But unlike yoga, CST is hands-on work that focuses on the area between the skull and the sacrum (the triangular-shaped bone that fits into the back of the pelvis).
The underlying concept of CST is that tension can develop in the body's connective tissue (fascia), restricting craniosacral fluid. Craniosacral therapists try to release this tightness by placing very light pressure on an area or by putting their hands on the spot until the muscles slowly release.
A regular yoga practice can help you reap the benefits of CST more easily by teaching you how to relax and direct your breath—both of which facilitate cranium changes.
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