Cranio-Sacral-Therapy with Dolphins – A successful course combination

In cooperation with Matthias Mösle, head of the Upledger Institute in Switzerland, the idea of offering a combination course of Cranio-Sacral Therapy and dolphins in Europe was created.

Since I have been working as leading physical and cranio-sacral therapist in the Dolphin Therapy Center in Antalya, Turkey for 7 years and am blessed to witness animal-supported therapy in a unique concept combined with traditional therapies together with children from all over the world, I of course was very open to start such an experiment at our center.

Dr. Upledger has collected very intense and comprehensive insights with cranio-sacral therapy based on his positive experiences in this weightless environment. Courses have been offered for years in the Bahamas in which the participants can make this wonderful experience.

In the following I want to give a summary of these intense and extraordinary course days.
In cranio-sacral therapy we learned to follow the inner wisdom of the organism. It is shown to us how we let the body float during the relaxation process and free it from gravity. The organism can become relaxed and find a new balance. This is a lot easier in water because gravity is reduced significantly.

Matthias Mösle invited experienced guest teacher Chas Perry from the Bahamas, USA. This way we were able to offer the premiere of our course „Cranio-sacral therapy with dolphins“ at our dolphin therapy center in Antalya in August.

The instructors showed how the principles of cranio-sacral therapy could be combined with the element water. Our human body mainly consists of fluids. Because the fluids of the cranio-sacral system have a central function in our therapy, this is a wonderful possibility for experience and research.

A big part of the time in this course was spent in the ocean. Participants were able to swim with dolphins and treat each other with cranio-sacral therapy in the water. They interacted with the dolphins and felt how contact with the dolphins fascinated them, relaxed and motivated them like no other kind of therapy. They were able to rediscover cranio-sacral therapy and somato-emotional relaxation and integrate them in conjunction with the bioaquatic dynamics.
The participants mostly worked with both hands in small groups in the ocean and, helped by the presence of the dolphins, discovered the magic, wisdom and healing power of these incredible animals, who are called “angels of the seas” for a reason.

They also received insight into the animal-assisted therapy with dolphins, Dolphin Assisted Therapy (DAT), and the resulting successes. The teammates exchanged therapeutic experiences and many new approaches and ideas were found that allow further cooperation.

For me personally, these experiences were a great enrichment of my wonderful work, and that gave me all new motivation and food for thought. I was reminded once again what wonderful gift I am blessed to experience every day. And this I want to share with many people.

The heart must have hands, the hands a heart – Tibetan saying

The shared experience of the therapists created a feeling of community and cooperation of creative development and openness for the resulting future.

I want to thank all people involved one more time, who contributed to make this course and these days so wonderful. A special thank you from my heart to all dolphins: Daisy, Frosia, Flip, Jonas and Splash. And of course to the Onmega team of the Dolphin Therapy Center in Antalya.