Student Feedback

December 2019 CST Somato-Emotional Elements 2 "SE2" with Don Ash:

"In SE2 I was surrounded by open and beautiful teachers and learners. I was given a safe and intimate environment to question, be vulnerable and learn. I came out of it letting go of having to connect a definitive line between point A and point B; I learned there is no need to put a hard time line to my personal and professional "goals."  I felt more comfortable with my process, the process of the person on my table, and the people in my life. I am home now, settling back in, and I feel like a better person, wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend; a better therapist, and better patient. Thank you Don, Sarah and Jill for making this all possible. Thank you to all the learners in the class for your openness and support.  CSTA is a special learning group and I feel so lucky to be part of the process."

Dr. Angela Schultz, PT, DPT from Westchester County, NY

Mom of 2 and physical therapist of 16 years

March 2019 Craniosacral-Lymphatic Integration Class "CLI Class" with Don Ash:

"Loved the lymph class. So easy to implement and so effective. Blends beautifully and seamlessly with CST. Finding it very helpful with just clearing someone and then am able to get deeper to the core problem. Patients love it they relax right away. Enjoyed the class and the easy manner of your teaching creating a great learning environment. Papa John would have loved it as he loved you!

Thanks Don!!"

Dr. Lisa Upledger

April 2018 CST Basic Elements 1 "BE1" with Don Ash:

"Good Morning Don and Jill,

I attended your BE1 class in April and I just wanted to update you both on my progression with CST. I believe you both know that I am an RN who does home care. I was able to treat a patient in the home. He had 3 treatments from me and his response was remarkable. I have completed my 25 required sessions with ages ranging from 15-83. All had a different but rewarding experience. I treated 2 combat veterans with PTSD and TBI. I opted to not charge any of them for the service but I am taking clients now. It is an amazing and humbling journey to assist these wonderful souls with their self healing. I have found that most clients experience an energy high followed by euphoria. I had a man suffering from hip pain and lower back issues. After treatment he decided he wanted to dance. This is a remarkable journey and I am looking forward to BE2 this October."

Best regards,

Nicole Brissette, RN

Rhode Island

Craniosacral-Lymphatic Integration "CLI Class":

"...Don Ash is an incredible teacher that I will think about every day. Thanks from every drop of water in my body."

Larry Sellers, LMT

"CADD" Class, CST Around Death and Dying:

"Thank you Don. Your CADD class allowed me to realize this exact concept a few months ago when my mom passed. My two brothers and I sat with her for 3 hours before she passed talking and laughing and sharing stories as she began her journey. When she took her final breath, we hugged and kissed her goodbye... Then we sat and talked for another 20 minutes before getting the nurse. That circle of time surrounding her departure both before and after she died was filled with her 3 children sharing and laughing and loving. I feel like it was the last gift we could give her, a send off with calmness and love. It was a beautiful honor to be with her in that space."

Karen Basque

 

"I feel immense gratitude for being able to discover how I am facing death and the illusion of it. It has changed me at a deep level inside having this knowledge. I have a peace at that deep soul level that is profoundly comforting."

CH

 

"This class helped me with the transition from survivor to helping others with their own losses. I cherish this opportunity of growth and am thankful to have shared it with so many other wonderful folks."

 

"I feel richer for having taken this class and look forward to many more."

 

"Thank you for making me feel welcome and for keeping me safe.""Thank you for helping us see death and honor death as a part of the greatness of life."

 

"I only know I was called/pulled to attend this class, as so many others were."

 

"CADD helped me to reach to some core feelings about and surrounding death that I'm sure will help me to live more completely and wholly."

 

"I came with an open mind and am leaving with an open heart. Who would have thought that a class focused on death would give courage and hope to life?"

 

"Several times during the four days I experienced a clarity for myself that was breath taking. Thank you for providing an environment for that experience to happen."

 

"Thank you for the course. I did it at the right time of my life."

 

"Loved the focus on a deeper level on the essence of CST and how we can use it in these circumstances for ourselves as therapists and for our patients."

 

"I gained way more on the level of 'personal growth' than I expected to gain at this course."

 

"What a wake up call for me. This will change the rest of my journey."

CST Retreat Feedback:

"The 3rd annual CST Alliance Retreat was by far the best continuing education workshops and hands-on conference I have attended in my 12 years of practicing as an Occupational Therapist. The presenters (Don, Sheryl, Johannah) were professional, knowledgeable, and open to questions and dialogue with participants throughout the weekend. We had ample hands-on time to both give and receive treatments and apply the information presented. My fellow practitioners were of all levels and the mix of experienced and novice therapists was refreshing and inspiring for me as an advanced practitioner of craniosacral therapy. I would not miss this event next fall with the Craniosacral Therapy Alliance. Many, many thanks."

Carol B., OTR/L, RYT

Mentor Program Feedback:

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." --unknown

"As I sat in your office the first day of the mentoring program, that quote caught my eye. Little did I know how many times my breath would be taken away over the next five days. Don, you have opened my eyes both professionally as well as personally. I needed mentoring on my touch to feel the CSR as well as my fear of the daunting SER. I left on Friday feeling like I know how to "think" with my fingers as well as an understanding that I do not control a SER. I am there to mirror and ensure my patient is feeling safe and non-judged. Thank you."

Rebecca Lee OTR, MPA, LMT, CDP

Founder/CEO

Holistic Medical Massage, LLC

CP Certified Practitioner:

"It's Official! I am a Craniosacral Therapy Alliance Certified Practitioner!!

...I was introduced to PT and CST with Don Ash over 20 years ago when I was 12 and in 6th grade after a basketball injury. He helped me regain my health and return to school and sports. By 7th and 8th grade I knew I wanted to be a PT. This CST certification means even more to me than passing the national board exam to get my PT license. I am so thankful for where CST has taken me and so excited for where I can go from here!! Thank you to everyone who has encouraged and supported me along the way!!"

Deb Colprit Pine, MPT, CSTA-CP

"BEtweener 3 and SE1" 1-Day Review Class:

"Hi Don and Jill,

All week I've been looking for a moment to write and say what a superb learning experience I had last Saturday. I feel like I learned/re-learned so much! For the sake of efficiency, I'm going to list some of the many many things I appreciate about my experience with you. (This is stream of consciousness, in no particular order!)

- My very first phone contact with Jill: lively, open, friendly, welcoming, human.

- Jill on Saturday: all of the above, plus very organized 

Love "Lessons from the Sessions" essays and "The CST Handbook." 

[CST Alliance's] Mission Statement is so affirming; I felt the truth of it in your support of us (both of you).

Beautiful teaching: for different kinds of learners. Beautiful visuals (drawings), clear verbal directions/explanations, thorough, good back-tracking to underlying skills needed to go forward with the mouth work, plenty of time for practice sessions, good pacing.

So supportive--you follow the non-judgment, impartial, ego-subordinated in your teaching approach; it creates safety for the student to be in a learning place; we don't have to know it all or do it perfectly. You reinforce what we do well, as well as gently/tactfully give more clarity, guidance where we need it.

Loved the anatomy...several new learnings there; could feel your passion--it was contagious.

Feel so much clearer about how to follow fascia and wait for release Also, so much clearer about mouth work: the how-tos; the anatomy; the way the bones fit and move together.

Know I need to practice sensing the neutral/pause place between f/e and e/f.

Am already using more CST in my "massage" sessions: listening stations, still points at feet, shoulders, CV4s, diaphragm releases, OCBR, dural tube traction, R&G.

Am teaching the mouth work, or rather reviewing it, in our local study group tomorrow...learn it, do it, teach it!

Thank you sooo much! I received even more than I hoped for. [I'll soon be] looking over the classes you're offering and figure out when I'll be over again for more. With so much appreciation for you both,"

ST