Community profile in wellness: Chris Morris

Christine Morris, HHP  Photo permission by Christine Morris

Sometimes it’s hard to even know where to begin when deciding on a course of wellness. To make it a little easier I will present a monthly feature on inspiring and gifted local people in the area of wellness.  This month, our feature wellness practitioner is Christine Morris, HHP proprietor of “Opening Spaces”.

Christine, who has Holistic Health Practitioner (HHP) licensing, specializes in a number of healing modalities and has been in practice since the mid 1990’s. Her work with Reiki, massage and other subtle healing practices led her to pursue further training; she eventually graduated from International Profession School of Bodywork (IPSB) in San Diego specializing in psychological bodywork through Rolf Structural Integration, CranioSacral Therapy and Deep Tissue Massage.

Chris learned the Rolf structural integration (RSI) work, learning “the full 10 series” from one of Ida Rolf’s first 8 student mentors. She performs the work as Ida Rolf intended it to be used. It works deeply at the level of the fascia, the connective tissue covering muscles and organs. This not only releases physical blocks in the tissue but the psychological blocks and issues that have gone hand in hand with the physical symptoms. The technique can be done through the classical 10 series which works with the whole body or in the form of Rolf structural organization which focuses on particular areas or segments of the body. The reputation for Ida Rolf’s work to be painful has more to do with the process of forcing versus letting the body shift. With a gifted therapist like Chris, this deep work can be freeing and releasing, allowing her clients to change old mental and physical postures that have lead to illness.

The work Chris does with CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle treatment that is often used for general illnesses, not necessarily of musculoskeletal origin (muscle and connective tissue). CranioSacral therapy focuses on the cerebral spinal fluid flow, and involves holding and release through awareness. It is a practice that helps guide the body to return to homeostasis. This type of therapy has been used successfully with ADHD and after traumas (physical or emotional). Like Rolf structural integration work, it can help people deal with old imbalances in the present moment.

Both therapies can help people maintain well being through “tune up” visits. Once you have had 3-6 corrective sessions, the maintenance sessions can be done once every 4-6 weeks or depending on the specific need of the client.
Christine sees clients in her Little Italy and her Mira Mesa offices. Her downtown location is 619 ½ Fir St. San Diego, 92101. Call Christine Morris, HHP 619-540-1469 or email her at chris@openingspaces.com