Where is Health?

History: Health, Healthcare, Holistic

While so much has been written, spoken, discussed about health there’s hardly any literature or talk on where is health? It’s good to see that the limited definition of health being a mere absence of disease has evolved to a more broad definition, one that includes the body-mind-spirit continuum. In Sanskrit, the word ‘swasthya’ means to be established in one’s self which is what modern science and World Health Organisation has recently concluded to be it too.

So, Where is Health?

When you’re the one to stretch your hand first or to be the one to forgive- Health is there.

When you’re coming out of the closet after being in there all your life - Health is there

When a stranger needs a hand to cross the road, and if it is your hand - Health is there.

When you want to get fit, not because they call you fat/chubby/thick - Health is there.

When you can turn an apparent mountain of a problem into a mole for someone - Health is there.

When you decide not to binge watch - Health is there.

When you decide make breakfast for the family - Health is there.

When you listen to someone’s story with unconditional acceptance - Health is there.

When you can save your mind from doubts, worry, anxiety and fear - Health is there.

When you can laugh at your foolishness and mistakes - Health is there.

The Ups and Downs of Health

Health is a state of being, a state of mind, a state of perception. A mind that is enthusiastic, ready for challenges, resilient, ready for explorations and risks and one that can comfort another and be of service shows a healthy mental and emotional well-being. It is said that a strong mind can carry a weak body, but weak mind cannot carry even the strongest bodies. In the body indicators of health could be anything from a restful sleep, a sense of vitality and energy in the body, good appetite and bowel movement, an ease in breath to smooth, fresh and glowing skin.

Yes, that’s all the good stuff and can seem idealistic. But we all have our days where we cannot find our health. It feels like it’s at bay and you’re no good. But, health is never lost. The human body has the most amazing and resilient inbuilt healthcare system to deal with our blue and grey days. Our nervous system has plan A, B & C to help us carry forward in life. It is when our nervous system is trapped and continually stressed to deal with our life’s challenges/difficulties/circumstances with not enough energy left that bodily diseases and conditions show life within our body.

The Life Force

The Sciences of the Eastern Orient be it Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and so on have roots of health in the universal life force called prana or chi/ Qi. These sciences believe that a free flowing unobstructed movement of this life force in the body leads to not just physical health but a balance and equanimity in the state of mind. When these channels of prana or chi are blocked and become inertial fulcrums - the body adapts around it leaving it susceptible to disease. It’s like there is a weak spot in your body which remains unattended and locked. Most western science and medicine diagnose and treat these adaptations or symptoms that begin to show up around these inertial fulcrums not knowing or recognising the source of it. Craniosacral Therapy is one of the few bodywork therapies which is able find the source of these inertial fulcrums and helps release them. I’d like to quote Dr. Franklyn Sills, a pioneer in Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, “Health is never lost; it centers our experience. The purpose of the work (CST) is to access the Health that has centred the disturbance. The purpose is to liberate the health inherent within the resistance or the disturbance.”

Health, Healing and CST

Craniosacral therapy has its roots in Osteopathy with Sr. William Garner Sutherland discovering the Cranial Concept. Dr. Sutherland discovered that the bones of the skull is capable of movement throughout a person’s whole life and not just while birthing. In his findings Dr. Sutherland wrote that “Within that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) there is an invisible element…a potency, an intelligent potency that is more intelligent than your own human mentality.” He spoke of the healing capacity of the body by bringing back the natural unrestricted movement of the CSF. Thus Cranial Osteopathy was born and now has evolved to become Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy. The basis and principle of this therapy is Health, inherent health and how using a safe, gentle touch we tune into the reservoir of health in the body to renew reorganisation in the body’s tissues, fluids and energetics. Dr. John Upledger said, “Craniosacral Therapy is educated, precise, non-intrusive touch that supports your body’s innate ability to heal.”

A therapist is said to be a container of energy, a person who holds the container of health and vitality in their presence and be a lighthouse for the client on stormy seas to move back towards lightness, spaciousness, expansion, resilience and holistic health.