biodynamic cranial

The definition and meaning of biodynamic craniosacral changes depending upon the person or institutions consulted. This definition morphs as each cranial lineage advances its curriculum, marketing endeavors and certification standards.

What is presented as biodynamic cranial work in Todd’s workshops is as simple and pure as it was originally shared with him by Bruno Ducoux, D.O. (France). With the biodynamic approach we learn to palpate the source of health within the client and facilitate the intelligence of health’s expression throughout their being.

Todd Jackson has studied the Biodynamic approach to cranial work with European osteopaths since 1994. Teaching since 1997, he encourages students with patience, lightheartedness and a generous amount of hands-on guidance. Class sizes are intentionally small and assistants are employed to ensure students confidently integrate the approach. Ongoing support is available after workshops via Supplements, Treatment Exchanges, Feedback Sessions and Mentorship. All workshops occur in Portland, Oregon unless otherwise specified. Please see the current curriculum offered below.

Read more about Todd’s cranial teaching philosophy.
Listen to Todd being interviewed for the Craniosacral Podcast by Ryan Hallford.
What is the difference between biodynamic cranial and biodynamic massage?

Cranial 1 – Biodynamic Interface

27 CEUs | maximum 12 students
(read feedback about this course here)

At the heart of any healing modality lies the ability to remain present; biodynamic cranial therapy teaches us how. Come learn this subtle yet extremely potent way to facilitate deep healing.

With the Biodynamic approach, we form a relationship to the health already abiding within the client and facilitate it’s expression throughout their entire being. Their cranial system shows us how to be more present, which enables an intelligent healing potency to express itself freely. Presence unites the practitioner to the natural world, enabling the client to access profound healing resources.

You will learn how to sensitively work with the cranio-sacral system, advance your confidence in subtle palpation skills and experience the profound stillness at the heart of health. Open to all licensed health-care providers and those enrolled in a health-care training school.

Cranial 2 – Deepening Quietude

24 CEUs | maximum 12 students
(read feedback about this course here)

This intermediate course in biodynamic cranial therapy will carry you deeper into the art and science of Presence. Using the “neutral” as an access point, we will cultivate a relationship to developing quietude. It is this relationship to quietude that trains us directly and takes us beyond tides, teachers and techniques.

Encounter new depths of being within yourself as we shift from neutral to stillness, approaching Silence. Receive personalized, hands-on assistance with the application of awareness and refinement of interfaces. Gain confidence by profoundly feeling the deepening quietude which brings unmistakable health. Sustained, personalized teacher to student assistance with awareness, technique and questions.

What you will learn

cultivating the central channel and opening up the pathways between the heart and hands
advancing pineal palpation skills to bring your presence where it is needed most in the moment for the client
how to palpate the client’s central channel and monitor their baseline quietude
how to allow the practitioner’s eyes, hands and central channel to be moved by the quietude operating on behalf of the client.
expanding one’s understanding of the spectrum of quietude; learning to palpate neutral phase shifts.
how to discern and remedy the aspects of our inner-body which are out of unity with the quietude process; deepening quietude in ourselves to perceive and understand more

Unwinding

prerequisite: Cranial 2 – Deepening Quietude
24 CEUs | maximum 8 students
(read feedback about this course here)

When the client’s inner body begins to unwind, the physical body often follows. The practitioner’s ability to facilitate these expressions without leading, exaggerating or diminishing them can make a substantial difference in a client’s return to health. Together we will explore how to recognize the first signs of unwinding, how to safely support the client as they unwind and how to dialog with the client about the unwinding process. Special emphasis will be directed to palpating the source driving the unwinding expressions and helping the practitioner remain at these source locations while simultaneously supporting the client’s moving body.

Cranial 3 – Sacred Heart

prerequisite: Unwinding
24 CEUs | maximum 9 students
(read feedback about this course here)

Facilitate deeper intimacy between the heavens, client and earth. Palpate and integrate your client’s central channel while they are vertical and walking. Resolve issues affecting the transfers between vertical and horizontal inner body movements. Help your clients resolve issues affecting them personally which are sourced in elements not personal to them.

Cranial 3 – Dissolution and Disappearance

prerequisite: Cranial 2 – Deepening Quietude
24 CEUs | maximum 8 students

Deep inner work for the practitioner to help them move along the spectrum of quietude towards Silence. Set aside personal preferences, affinities, motives and desires. Learn how to remain unruffled, aware and at peace as your sense of self dissolves. Perhaps even disappear altogether. As the practitioner becomes less, the healing becomes more.

Course Content

Review the basics of the biodynamic interface: centered, grounded, derma body, inner-body, pineal palpation.
Clarify and amplify the Heart-Hand-Hub continuity.
Explore how practitioner motives influence the interface.
Learn how to address motives during treatment and beyond the office.
Understand the relationship between hub-swaddling, hub pith and neutral phase shift.
Process facilitation via: supine floating, 4:4 interfacing, group field amplification.
Work with quietude reservoirs and transits post phase change.
Practice non-dual emplacement via pineal palpation.
Practice merging solid and empty spaces to sample the indescribably undifferentiated.

Biodynamic Cranial Supplements

A number of workshop participants have requested more frequent opportunities to study the approach, ask questions and receive assistance in refining their skills. The Biodynamic Cranial Supplements are offered for sincere and motivated students to advance their interests.

The supplements are open only to those who’ve completed a prior Biodynamic Cranial workshop in this lineage. They typically occur on a Thursday from 5-9pm or a Saturday/Sunday from 2-6pm. Tuition is $140, which includes 60-90 minutes of receiving treatment, CEU’s, an opportunity to ask questions about the process, demonstrations as needed, and a healthy amount of hands-on assistance from Todd and assistants. If you’d like to reserve a spot at this event, please contact Todddirectly.

This is a great opportunity to brush-up on your skills, get some hands-on feedback to refine your work, and connect with a wider group of people to exchange Biodynamic Cranial treatments.

Cranial Treatment Exchanges

Deeply embed the biodynamic process by giving and receiving this work regularly. There is no substitute for receiving profound work so you know first hand what is transpiring for the client. Advancing our skills as practitioners is related to resolving our own inner body challenges; so give and receive at least twice a month. The Cranial Exchange list will help you keep your skills current and evolving by exchanging treatment with a diversity of practitioners. Students may opt-in or opt-out at any time. All those on the list are interested in contacting and being contacted by others on the list to exchange biodynamic cranial treatment. Only those who’ve completed at least one of the above workshops may join the list.

Feedback Sessions

At times, practitioners would like one on one help with a particular facet of the work. A feedback session can be arranged so that the practitioner can be observed treating a model client and receive hands-on guidance and instruction. The number and frequency of feedback sessions are limited, as the practice has limited room, so advanced planning is necessary. $185 for 60 minutes.

Mentorship

To qualify for mentorship, successfully complete the “Cranial 3 – Dissolution & Disappearance” workshop. Be assessed for mentorship suitability by giving a treatment to Todd. Those who could benefit from more skill refinement prior to mentoring will be given suggestions to assist their cultivation. Those who are ready to begin mentorship will coordinate schedules with Todd. It is recommended to get on the mentorship waiting list early, as only a couple of mentorships can be completed each year.

Mentorship Process

Meet approximately twice per month for a 4 hour block of time.
For the first hour, you’ll treat a client model (provided), while Todd assists you.
There will be a bit of chat afterwards, clarifying what was learned while treating the model and addressing any questions that arise.
Then, you’ll receive treatment from Todd for an hour, helping you drop more profoundly into quietude, assisting your non-verbal understanding and experience of advanced biodynamic work.
There will be a few moments to chat after your receiving time, to explore anything related to the session.
From this deeper place, you’ll then treat Todd for an hour. It’s ok to ask questions and get direct feedback about the interface and process while treating.
Another brief round of discussion follows, where we explore any questions from the giving perspective, and develop a few items to focus upon practicing between now and the next meeting.
After the mentorship meeting, you’ll exchange with an approved practitioner before the next mentorship meeting.

Mentorship continues for 6 months or 12 meetings. There are 75 hours in the mentorship; 45 supervised and exchanging with Todd, plus 30 exchanging with a graduate. Tuition is $4,440.