Craniosacral Collaborative
Special Event/
Fascial Unwinding of the Upper Body
Fascia is an extraordinary living network of connective tissue, providing continuity throughout the body and contributing to the relationships between structure, movement, sensation and function. Far from being simply a tissue that surrounds and supports, fascia is a responsive and richly innervated system, constantly adapting to the demands placed upon it.
There is a remarkable depth to working with fascia. As sensitivity develops to its subtle movements, tensions and relationships, we begin to appreciate not only its anatomical complexity but also the profound possibilities that emerge through attentive, informed touch.
This two-day experiential course will be taught by Lizette Villaverde, RCST, an accredited teacher with the BCTA/NA, who has been teaching fascial unwinding for over twelve years. Her extensive experience in craniosacral therapy, together with her specialist work with scars, brings a particular depth to the exploration of fascial continuity, tissue adaptation and the body's capacity for change.
The course explores the intricate fascial relationships connecting the arms, shoulders, neck, axilla, diaphragm and pericardium. Moving beyond the idea of simply releasing tension, participants will investigate how attentive touch and fascial unwinding can create opportunities for greater space, movement and adaptability within patterns of holding and contraction.
Beyond Release: Listening to the Fascial Field
One of the most fascinating aspects of fascial unwinding is the opportunity to encounter the body beyond expectations of how it should move or respond.
Patterns of contraction and restriction are not simply problems to be corrected. They may reflect the body's adaptations to movement, injury, surgery, repetitive demands or protective responses. These patterns can be complex, involving relationships between connective tissue, muscular activity, the nervous system and our experience of movement and sensation.
Lizette's work with scars has been particularly influential in shaping her understanding of these relationships. A scar may appear localised, yet its influence on tissue mobility, sensory experience and movement can extend beyond the immediately affected area. Exploring these connections offers a deeper appreciation of the body as an interconnected whole.
Fascial unwinding invites practitioners to listen to these relationships through their hands, allowing movement to emerge rather than directing it towards a predetermined outcome.
There is a particular magic in this process: the subtle shifts in tissue responsiveness, the unexpected pathways of movement, and the moments when a region that has felt restricted begins to express a different quality of ease or possibility.
Fascia and the Depth of Holistic Practice
The exploration of fascia holds a profound place within holistic bodywork. It invites practitioners to move beyond working with isolated structures and recognise the continuous relationships between the body's tissues, movement, sensory experience and adaptive responses.
Within craniosacral therapy, fascial unwinding offers another dimension to perceptual and therapeutic skills. It encourages recognition of patterns of holding while remaining attentive to the wider organisation of the person, supporting the body's responses without imposing a predetermined outcome.
This work calls for both precision and openness: informed by anatomy, guided by subtle perception and grounded in the understanding that every body carries its own history of adaptation. The depth of fascial unwinding lies not only in the techniques applied, but in the quality of listening, the ability to follow and the recognition of possibilities that may emerge within the system.
What Participants Will Explore
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Fascial anatomy and continuity through the arms, shoulders, neck and thorax.
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Fascial unwinding approaches for the upper limbs and shoulder girdle.
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The axilla and its relationships with the arm, chest wall and deeper thoracic structures.
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Releasing the thoracic diaphragm, patterns of tension and its relationship with breathing and movement.
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Connecting with the pericardium and its anatomical connections within the thoracic cavity.
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Recognising patterns of holding, contraction and protective adaptation.
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Developing greater sensitivity to subtle tissue movement, resistance and responsiveness.
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Exploring the relationship between fascial continuity, scars and the body's wider organisation.
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Integrating fascial unwinding into craniosacral therapy and other holistic bodywork practices.
Course Details:
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Location: Trondheim, Norway (RenBalanse)
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Dates: March 13 & 14, 2027
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Format: In Person
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Cost: 3,900 kroner
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Register: www.bkst.no/fascial-unwinding-overkropp
Contact Us:
Have questions or need more information? Please feel free to reach out to us at: craniosacralcollaborative@gmail.com
Lizette Villaverde RCST
Lizette Villaverde is a registered craniosacral therapist, international educator and accredited teacher with the Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America (BCTA/NA). She is a senior tutor and course manager at the College of Craniosacral Therapy (CCST) in London, where she has been teaching since 2014.
With over twelve years of experience teaching fascial unwinding, Lizette brings a depth of anatomical knowledge, perceptual sensitivity and practical understanding to her work. Her particular interests lie in the extraordinary relationships between fascia, the nervous system, scars and the body's capacity for adaptation and reorganisation.
As a certified ScarWork practitioner, she has developed an integrative approach that explores how scars and changes in tissue mobility can influence movement, sensation and the wider fascial network. Her teaching brings together craniosacral therapy, fascial unwinding and scar integration, encouraging practitioners to appreciate the interconnected nature of the body and the profound possibilities of attentive therapeutic touch.
Lizette teaches internationally and is actively involved in professional education, community initiatives and the ongoing development of craniosacral therapy. She is a trustee of the UK's Craniosacral Therapy Association (CSTA), co-founder of Craniosacral Collaborative and Cranio in the Community, and has contributed to international discussions and research gatherings exploring the relationship between scars, fascia and sensory integration.
At the heart of her work is a deep appreciation for the complexity and individuality of the human body. Her teaching combines anatomical precision with curiosity, compassion and a sense of wonder, inviting practitioners to move beyond technique and develop a more refined understanding of the body's inherent capacity for change.