Body Alchemy Clinic

Things I get asked about BCST all the time… #12

💬 “How on EARTH did you make my foot twitch, my leg jump and my arms do a Mexican wave… when you’re HOLDING MY HEAD?!” 🫪😂

Firstly…

I didn’t.

Well, not in the way you’re thinking.

I’m not secretly operating some neurological remote control from underneath your skull. 😂

During Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, people sometimes experience little involuntary movements.

A foot twitches.

A leg suddenly jumps.

Fingers move.

A shoulder shifts.

Or occasionally several parts of the body decide to join in and you get what can only reasonably be described as…

the full-body Mexican wave. 😂

And understandably, people find it particularly bizarre when my hands aren’t anywhere near the part of their body that’s moving.

But your nervous system doesn’t operate as a collection of isolated body parts.

Your brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, muscles and sensory systems are constantly communicating and coordinating activity throughout your entire body.

When you’re lying quietly and becoming deeply relaxed, you can also become much more aware of small involuntary movements that you might never notice while you’re busy walking, talking and getting on with your day.

Similar little jerks can also happen naturally as we’re drifting towards sleep. BCST can recreate this sensation.

So if I’m sitting at your head and suddenly your leg jumps…

I haven’t sent a secret signal down there. 😂

What I am interested in is how your whole system responds during our time together.

So you don’t need to stop it.

You don’t need to help it along.

And you definitely don’t need to apologise when your limbs suddenly decide to start their own choreography.

Just let your body do its weird little thing.

I’ll keep listening. 💜

Things I get asked about BCST all the time… #11

💬 “Why did you move your hands? I was JUST starting to feel something!” 😂

Ahhh yes.

You’ve been lying there quietly for a while.

Suddenly you notice warmth… tingling… movement… maybe that strange floating sensation we’ve talked about before.

You’re thinking:

“Oooooh, something’s happening…”

And then…

I move. 😂

There is actually a reason for that.

During Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, I’m not trying to create the biggest sensation possible or keep working somewhere simply because you’ve started feeling something there.

I’m paying attention through my hands to how your system is responding.

Sometimes it makes sense to stay with a contact for quite a while.

Other times, what I’m noticing changes and it’s time for me to move somewhere else.

And here’s the really important part:

You don’t need to hold onto the sensation when I leave.

You don’t need to recreate it.

You don’t need to work out what it meant.

And you haven’t “lost” anything because my hands moved.

Sometimes a sensation continues after I’ve changed position.

Sometimes it disappears instantly.

Sometimes something completely different starts happening somewhere else in your body.

And sometimes…

absolutely nothing happens.

All completely okay.

BCST isn’t about collecting interesting sensations as proof that something is working.

The sensations are simply part of your experience of the session.

So when I move my hands just as you’re thinking:

“WAIT! COME BACK! WE WERE DOING SOMETHING THERE!” 🤣

I haven’t abandoned the good bit.

I’m still listening. I’ve just changed where I’m listening from. 💜

Things I get asked about BCST all the time… #10

💬 “WAIT… I’m going to squash your hand?!” 😳😂

If you’ve had BCST with me, there’s a fair chance we’ve had this conversation.

At some point during your session, I may place one hand underneath your sacrum — the triangular bone at the base of your spine, between your two hip bones.

And almost without fail, the moment you realise my hand is underneath you…

“Manda! I’m going to squash you?!”

😂 No. I promise you’re not.

A sacral hold is a common contact used in Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy.

I’m not trying to lift your pelvis.

I’m not pushing into your back.

And you absolutely do not need to hold yourself up to protect my hand. 😂

In fact, if you suddenly tense your bum, brace your legs and try to levitate yourself three millimetres off the table because you’re worried about me…

We’ve somewhat defeated the purpose. 🤣

My hand is positioned comfortably beneath your sacrum and the treatment table is still supporting your body.

From there, I’m simply using gentle, still contact and listening to what’s happening within your system — noticing subtle changes in movement, tension and settling.

Sometimes I’ll stay there for quite a while.

Sometimes it will only be one part of your session.

And yes, I’m completely comfortable.

You are allowed to let your full weight rest on the table.

You don’t have to protect me.

You don’t have to help me.

And you definitely don’t have to clench your butt cheeks to keep me alive. 😂

This is also the contact where most people will start feeling what BCST is doing in their body.

So next time you feel my hand slide underneath your sacrum and your immediate thought is…

“OH NO, I’M GOING TO SQUASH HER!”

Relax. I promise you won’t.

A little clinic update 💜

A huge and heartfelt thank you to our incredible RFS volunteers, firefighters and everyone who has worked tirelessly over the past few days to keep our community, homes and properties safe. Your efforts are appreciated more than words can say. 🙏

We were also incredibly grateful to receive some beautiful rain overnight, bringing some very welcome relief. 🌧️💜

With conditions now much improved, I’m back in the clinic today and appointments will be going ahead as normal.

Over the next few days, I’ll do my very best to contact those of you whose appointments had to be cancelled due to the fire situation and find somewhere to get you back in.

And to my beautiful clients — thank you. 💜

Not only have you been incredibly understanding about the short-notice cancellations and uncertainty over the past few days, but so many of you have reached out to check on us and offer assistance or help in any way you could.

I have been genuinely overwhelmed by the kindness and support shown to us. I feel truly blessed to have such a beautiful community of people around me and I appreciate you all more than you know.

Warmly,
Manda 💜
Body Alchemy Clinic

🔥 CLINIC UPDATE – LOCAL BUSHFIRES 🔥

Just a quick update for everyone with appointments over the coming days.

Due to the current bushfire situation and the proximity of the fires to my property, I am assessing things day by day as conditions change.

Unfortunately, this may mean that some appointments need to be cancelled or rescheduled at short notice. I’ll make those decisions based on the conditions at home and will contact anyone affected as soon as possible.

Thank you so much for your patience and understanding while we navigate the next few days. 💜

Please stay safe everyone.

Manda
Body Alchemy Clinic

Things I get asked about BCST all the time… #9

💬 “My problem isn’t in my head… so why are you working at my head?”

😂 Fair question.

Despite the name Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, I don’t spend an entire session holding your head.

In fact, depending on what I’m noticing, I may work from your:

✨ Feet
✨ Legs
✨ Pelvis and sacrum
✨ Shoulders
✨ Spine
✨ Head
✨ Or several different areas throughout the session

And here’s the important bit:

I’m not necessarily working where you feel the symptom.

Your body doesn’t operate as a collection of completely separate parts.

Your muscles, joints, connective tissues, sensory systems and nervous system are constantly exchanging information.

So if you come in saying:

“It’s my right shoulder. That’s the problem.”

I’m not automatically going to spend the next hour working on your right shoulder.

BCST takes a broader approach.

Through gentle contact, I’m paying attention to things like changes in movement, tension, tone and how your system responds as a whole.

Sometimes I’ll stay at your feet for quite a while.

Sometimes I’ll move to your sacrum.

Sometimes I’ll sit at your head.

And occasionally you’ll be lying there thinking:

“She does remember I said my SHOULDER hurts, right?” 😂

Yes. I remember.

But I’m not chasing the sore spot around your body trying to force it to change.

I’m interested in the whole person attached to that sore spot.

That’s also why no two BCST sessions with me are exactly the same.

I’m not following a predetermined routine of:

Feet for five minutes → sacrum for ten → head for twenty…

I’m responding to you, on that particular day.

Because you’re not just a shoulder.

Or a hip.

Or a headache.

You’re a whole person — and that’s what arrives on my table. 💜

Things I get asked about BCST all the time… #8

💬 “So… how many sessions will I need?”

Ahhh, the question everyone wants me to give them a nice, neat answer to. 😂

And the answer is…

It depends.

I know. Very helpful, Manda. 😂

But genuinely, there isn’t a magic number of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy sessions that everybody needs.

People come to me for completely different reasons.

Some are dealing with something relatively recent.

Others have been living with pain, tension or ongoing stress for years.

Some simply recognise that their system rarely seems to switch out of go-go-go mode and want some support slowing things down.

And everybody responds differently.

That’s why I don’t believe in handing every person who walks through my door the same treatment schedule.

After your first session, we’ll talk about how you experienced it and what makes sense from there.

For some people, that might mean another session relatively soon.

Others find that a little more space between appointments suits them.

Some come for a period of time and then decide they have what they need.

And I have plenty of people who simply love how they feel after BCST and choose to keep it as part of looking after themselves.

There’s an important distinction there:

I want you to come because BCST is useful to you — not because I’ve convinced you that your body can’t cope without me.

BCST isn’t about making you dependent on treatment.

And more treatment isn’t automatically better treatment.

My role is to work with the person who arrives on my table that day, see what’s happening for them and allow that session to unfold from there.

So if you ask me:

“Exactly how many sessions am I going to need?”

I’ll probably smile and give you the mildly annoying answer…

“Let’s see what your body tells us.” 💜

Things I get asked about BCST all the time… #7

💬 “So… do I need to take my clothes off for this?”

Nope. 😂

Unlike massage, Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy is performed fully clothed, just kick your boots off.

You simply lie comfortably on the treatment table, usually on your back and that’s pretty much it.

Jeans, leggings, work clothes — whatever you’ve turned up in is generally fine.

You don’t need to get changed.

You don’t need to undress.

And there are no oils or creams involved.

During a session I may make gentle contact at different areas of your body — commonly your feet, head, shoulders, sacrum or other areas depending on what I’m noticing during the session.

And before we begin, we’ll have a conversation about what’s brought you in, what’s happening for you at the moment and anything relevant that I need to know.

Then comes the bit some people find surprisingly difficult…

You don’t actually have to DO anything. 😂

You don’t need to meditate.

You don’t need to concentrate on your breathing.

You don’t need to try to relax.

You don’t need to stay perfectly still.

And you definitely don’t need to lie there wondering:

“Am I doing BCST properly?”

There is nothing for you to perform.

You can talk.

You can be quiet.

You can close your eyes.

You can keep them open.

You can fall asleep.

And if you need to move, scratch your nose, cough, swallow or change position…

Please do. You’re a human, not a co**se. 😂

One of the things I love about BCST is just how little is required of the person receiving it.

Come as you are.

I’ll meet you there. 💜

Things I get asked about BCST all the time… #6

💬 “Is it normal to feel a bit different after a BCST session?”

Yep. And “different” can mean very different things for different people.

Some people hop off the table feeling incredibly calm and grounded.

Some feel lighter or clearer.

Some suddenly have more energy.

And some look at me like I’ve personally ruined their plans for the afternoon because all they want to do is go home and have a nap.

There isn’t one particular way you’re supposed to feel after Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy.

During a session you’ve usually spent 45–60 minutes lying quietly, with very little external stimulation, while receiving gentle contact and allowing your body to settle.

That’s quite a contrast to how many of us spend the rest of our day.

So when you stand up afterwards, you may simply notice your body differently.

You might notice:

✨ You’re deeply relaxed or sleepy
✨ Your breathing feels easier or slower
✨ Areas that felt tense beforehand feel different
✨ You feel unusually quiet or still
✨ You feel refreshed and ready to get on with your day
✨ Or… you don’t notice anything particularly dramatic at all

All of those responses are okay.

And here’s something I think is really important:

You don’t need to go searching for a reaction after BCST.

You don’t need to analyse every sensation.

And you certainly don’t need to experience some enormous “release” for your session to have been worthwhile.

Sometimes the change people notice is incredibly simple:

“Huh. I just feel… good.”

I’ll take that.

After your session, give yourself a moment before rushing straight back into the world, have some water if you’re thirsty and pay attention to how you feel rather than how you think you’re supposed to feel.

Every nervous system is different — and every session can be different too.

Things I get asked about BCST all the time… #5

💬 “Why did I suddenly get emotional? We weren’t even talking about anything!”

This one surprises people.

You can be lying there perfectly comfortably, I’m quietly doing my thing and then suddenly…

Tears.

And inevitably:

“I’m so sorry! I don’t even know why I’m crying.”

Firstly — please don’t apologise. 🤍

And secondly — you don’t necessarily need to know why.

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy isn’t counselling, and I’m not going to start interrogating you about what you’re feeling or ask you to find a story to explain it.

Sometimes when we become very quiet and our attention isn’t occupied by work, conversations, phones, appointments and the other 700 things happening in our lives, we simply become more aware of what’s already there.

That might be sadness.

It might be relief.

It might be frustration.

You might suddenly feel ridiculously happy.

Or you might have tears rolling down your face while simultaneously thinking:

“I genuinely have NO idea why I’m crying.”

That’s okay too.

Emotions involve both the brain and the body and changes in breathing, muscle tension, attention and autonomic state can all influence how we experience them.

What I can do is give you the space to experience whatever comes up without needing to analyse it, explain it or shut it down.

If you want to talk, we can talk.

If you want silence, we’ll have silence.

And if you suddenly start crying and then say…

“Well this is bloody weird.”

I can assure you, you won’t be the first.

Not every feeling needs a story attached to it. Sometimes we can simply notice it and let it be.

And if you want more information around this I suggest you read the book ‘The Body Keeps The Score’