One of our deepest roots lies in the teachings of Dr. John Upledger, pioneer in the field of Craniosacral Therapy.  A robust man of brilliance, vision and courage, he opened a way for practitioners to explore and learn the mystery and magic of our inherent healing intelligence. Dr. Upledger was an innovator in the work of Somato-Emotional Release.  He refined the use of therapeutic imagery and dialogue as a means to connect us with our inner wisdom, to help us heal and be free from painful, traumatic imprints in our body.  He brought to the treatment table an uncompromising attitude of openness and non-judgement.  His therapeutic paradigm was based on love. It came straight from the heart. 

Our roots through Dr. Upledger’s work run deeply into his influences and area of practice, the field of Osteopathy.  The principles used in our foundation modality, Upledger’s Craniosacral Therapy, come from the vision and genius of Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, a medical doctor who practiced in the late 1800’s.  Dr. Still is considered the discoverer of the science of Osteopathy; he laid a foundation that has supported generations of healing practitioners. 

Our Craniosacral roots also sink deeply into another of Upledger’s influences, the work of W.G. Sutherland, DO, considered the originator of Cranial Osteopathy. Sutherland’s tireless work and brilliant discoveries paved the way for a deeper clinical understanding of the craniosacral system, the intricacies of the cranial bones and the healing potential in cerebrospinal fluid dynamics.  Still, Sutherland and Upledger were visionary pioneers whose light continues to guide our humble attempts in the healing arts.

Another of our therapeutic roots—large and bountiful—runs deeply into the soil of Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California.  For over twenty four years, that fertile ground has fed nutrients into our quest for untamed creative expression, fearless authenticity and a whole-hearted embrace of healing transformation.  The very concept and spirit of Emergence came from Esalen’s time-seasoned buildings named “Huxley” and the “Art Barn”—magical places that have fed so many over the years.  We quite intentionally bring the essence of these buildings directly into our paradigm at Emergence.

A deep and nourishing root lies in a years-long, personal and protege relationship with Dr. Valerie Hunt, professor emeritus at UCLA, author of the classic book, Infinite Mind, and pioneer in the study of human energy fields. Dr Hunt’s scientific prowess, expansive mystical vision and unrelenting tough-love support inspired our wide-open inquiry into the enormous healing potential living in unseen realms of mystery and consciousness.

We honor the root of personal friendship and mentoring from Emilie Conrad, creator of Continuum Movement.  Her unfettered, primal, transcendent methods of exploring movement and the body’s fluid system were groundbreaking.  Emilie’s use of breath, sound and consciousness opened wide the possibilities of healing through wildly innovative means.  Both she and Valerie Hunt were living examples of the extraordinary power in an open mind and a fearless heart.

Perhaps the deepest root of all lies in the mysterious beauty and grace of our dearly departed dolphin friends, Camilla and Fiona, with whom we shared a close and loving friendship for six years.  From these lovely creatures came a deep and magical education in the world of sound.  Their teachings were through the power of frequency and its ability to connect us to a larger, coherent field—from where  intelligence of the heart brought deep healing and transformation inside us.