CRANIOSACRAL
SOMATICS
FOUNDATION LEVEL COURSES
Our foundation courses offer an opportunity to explore the principles of craniosacral therapy through direct experience, bringing together an understanding of the body with the practice of therapeutic touch, presence and embodied listening.
Rooted in the principles of biodynamic craniosacral therapy, these introductory trainings invite participants to develop their sensitivity to the body's subtle expressions, explore the relationship between touch and nervous system regulation, and begin cultivating the qualities of attention that support meaningful therapeutic contact.
Whether you're completely new to craniosacral therapy, curious about embodied approaches to wellbeing, or already working in a related field, these courses offer a welcoming space for exploration, learning and shared experience.
Craniosacral Somatics – Foundation
Gračišće, Istria, Croatia
December 4-6
A three-day experiential introduction to craniosacral therapy, therapeutic touch and embodied listening.
This three-day in-person course led by Lizette Villaverde RCST offers a practical introduction to the foundations of Craniosacral Somatics. It is designed to bring the principles explored in our online course into direct, embodied experience — giving participants time to practise, ask questions and begin developing confidence in working with therapeutic touch.
Over the three days, we will explore how to meet the body through presence rather than force: learning to listen through the hands, recognise subtle changes in tissue and physiology, and develop the quality of attention that sits at the heart of craniosacral practice.
The course introduces both the anatomy and the experiential principles underlying craniosacral work, with an emphasis on nervous system regulation, relational safety and the interconnected nature of the body.
What we will explore
Foundations of Craniosacral Therapy
An introduction to craniosacral therapy, its principles and the structures that make up the craniosacral system, including the cranium, spine, sacrum, membranes and cerebrospinal fluid.
Grounding & the Practitioner’s Fulcrum
Developing awareness of your own body as the starting point for therapeutic contact. We will explore grounding, orientation, practitioner comfort, neutrality and how our own state influences the way we meet another person.
The Art of Craniosacral Touch
Learning how to make contact without imposing. We will explore listening through the hands, different qualities and depths of touch, and how to begin recognising movement, stillness, tension and change within the body.
Principles of Treatment
An experiential introduction to the process of engaging, allowing, following, release and reorganisation, and integration — developing the ability to follow what emerges rather than deciding in advance what the body needs.
The Nervous System & Regulation
A practical introduction to the autonomic nervous system and the body's responses to safety, stress and overwhelm. We will consider how pacing, presence, touch and relationship can support regulation and co-regulation.
Fascia & the Interconnected Body
Exploring fascia as a continuous connective tissue network and beginning to feel how tension, movement and organisation in one part of the body can be expressed elsewhere.
Midline, Breath & Craniosacral Rhythms
Beginning to explore the body's relationship with midline and the subtle rhythmic movements encountered in craniosacral practice, while learning to observe without needing to interpret or change what we feel.
Foundational Hands-on Contacts
Participants will practise a selection of gentle contacts through the body, developing familiarity with positioning, practitioner ergonomics, listening and following tissue response.
Learning through experience
This is a practical course. Alongside short periods of teaching and discussion, much of our time will be spent working in pairs, developing palpation and listening skills and experiencing the work both as practitioner and receiver.
The intention is not to teach a collection of techniques to perform on the body, but to begin developing a different way of meeting it — with curiosity, anatomical understanding and enough space to allow the body's own responses to become perceptible.
No previous craniosacral experience is required.
This course can be taken alongside the Craniosacral Somatics online foundation course, where the anatomy, physiology and theoretical principles are explored in greater depth through lectures, demonstrations, interviews and guided practices.
Who is it for?
The course is suitable for people curious about craniosacral therapy and embodied approaches to health, as well as massage therapists, bodyworkers, movement practitioners, yoga teachers, healthcare professionals and other practitioners wishing to bring greater sensitivity to touch, presence and nervous system awareness into their existing work.
It may also be useful for those considering further craniosacral training who would like an opportunity to experience the work before committing to a longer professional programme.
Please note: This is an introductory educational course and does not qualify participants to practice as certified craniosacral therapists.
Course Details:
Location: Breathe Istria Retreat Space, Gračišće, Istria
Dates: December 4-6, 2026
Format: In Person
Cost: $450 (Approx €400)
For more information, email craniosacralsomatics@gmail.com