Craniosacral Biodynamics: The Breath of Life, Biodynamics, and Fundamental Skills [Paperback]

Franklyn Sills (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 13, 2001

Craniosacral therapy is based on the belief that functions of the human system are maintained and integrated by a biodynamic force known as 'primary respiration,' or the breath of life. Found in the brain, spinal cord, and bodily fluids, this rhythmic pulse promotes healing and health. Written for students and practitioners but accessible to lay readers, this text presents the fundamental concepts and techniques of a method that redirects the cerebrospinal fluid to areas of imbalance, thus enhancing overall health. Volume One covers both the history and conceptual ideas fundamental to Craniosacral Biodynamics, as well as the more complex structural and tissue relationships.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Drawing on developments in biophysics, psychotherapy, and neuroscience, and working from classical osteopathic roots, he has helped to pioneer a new therapeutic modality, Craniosacral Biodynamics. This approach reaches far beyond the traditional limits of physical medicine. His two volumes which outline the fundamentals of Craniosacral Biodynamics will benefit humanity well into the new millennium."
—Katherine Ukleja, D.O., Senior Lecturer, Karuna Institute and Craniosacral Therapy Educational Trust, UK

"This is an important book—a very important book."
—Peter A. Levine, author of Waking the Tiger

"Anyone who is interested in the essence of the craniosacral approach should read this remarkable book. "
—Michael Kern, D.O., RCST, Course Director of the Craniosacral Therapy Educational Trust, U.K., Author of Wisdom in the Body

About the Author

Franklyn Sills is Co-director of the Karuna Institute, a respected post-graduated Institute for Craniosacral Biodynamics and Core Process Psychotherapy. Throughout his career, he has been in the forefront of pioneering a biodynamic approach to work within the cranial field. His training includes medical research, Osteopathic work, and an in depth study of the work of Dr. Randolph Stone. His main focus has been within the context of craniosacral teaching and clinical practice. He is the author of the award-winning book The Polarity Process.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books (August 13, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556433549
• ISBN-13: 978-1556433542
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 1.3 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #826,134 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Trust in the Potency, August 26, 2001

By 

bryon (california) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Craniosacral Biodynamics: The Breath of Life, Biodynamics, and Fundamental Skills (Paperback)

Cranial Sacral Biodynamics is a wonderfully arranged book on the subject of Cranial Sacral Therapy which includes some excellent sections on Trauma Skills and clear illustrations of the techniques presented. Franklin's work marks a progression in the art of Cranial Sacral reading materials. Cranial Sacral Biodynamics is easily accessible to the beginner and will remind the most skilled practitioner of the essentials of this amazing technique. Most practitioners of Cranial Sacral work are familiar with the dedication and pioneering work of Upledger in bringing this much needed therapy to the forefront of modern healing. Those who have studied with Upledger or those who are new in arriving at this system of healing will be delighted with the ease and adeptness of this volume in conveying the foundations necessary to learn Cranial Sacral Therapy. I myself have been a student of the authors teachings and can attest to the power and effectiveness of his use of the inherent treatment plan and the safety of allowing the clients body to build Potency while re-establishing free/balanced flow of the Cranial Sacral system. The techniques presented on Focusing and Centering are essential to Bodyworkers of all disciplines. The skills contained within this study will help a practitioner establish a sacred healing presence which will enhance communication, healing efficiency, ethical standards, and allow the unfoldment of the Breath of Life in their professional practise and personal living.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real gem, June 6, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Craniosacral Biodynamics: The Breath of Life, Biodynamics, and Fundamental Skills (Paperback)

I love this book and the way Franklyn Sills expresses the osteopathetic and craniosacral principles with holographic theory and trauma skills. He very effectively interweaves models and principles associated with the Breath of Life and new models of working with shock and trauma. The emphasis on the fluids and fluid tides brings a balance to the more structurally oriented craniosacral texts. I am a psychotherapist and find the principles articulated in this book extremely helpful in working with shock and trauma as well as accessing more vibrant health and creativity.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sills has amazing vision, yet cluttered writing, January 12, 2007

By 

Kyle Burris "NCMT, AOS" (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Craniosacral Biodynamics: The Breath of Life, Biodynamics, and Fundamental Skills (Paperback)

I am new to the work of Craniosacral Therapy. I'm in the beginnings of a training program, doing some required reading, and this is one of the books.

Franklyn Sills is in love with what he does, there is no question about that. He writes with lucidity and sheer reverence for the forces of Life and how they unfold within is. At times his writing is quite moving and can actually take your breath away.

I believe he wrote this book with the intention to simplify and consolidate many of the concepts within Craniosacral Biodynamics and the Osteopathic work of people like Will Sutherland and Rollin Becker, and while that intention does come forth, it isn't executed all that well. This book ends up feeling much like an old textbook that needs lots of revision by someone other than the author yet with his supervision.

I say that because the concepts brought forth by Sills, some of them difficult to comprehend from the beginning, are cluttered and made more obtuse by his writing. Some of the content feels as if Sills thought of 20 different ways to say the same thing and simply listed them all sequentially. I think the book would be much shorter if those '20 ways' were simplified into one or two.

Also, much of the terminology in this field could stand to be simplified, there are too many words used for the same thing or very similar concepts, and that isn't by any means Sill's fault or doing alone, but it certainly shines through in the text, creating further confusion.

I would still suggest buying this book, as it creates a depth of discussion that few others in Craniosacral do, but I would also suggest picking up Michael Kern's 'Wisdom in the Body'. It explains the same concepts in a much simpler way, appealing more to the layman and explicating with out being obtuse or excessively flowery with language.