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In this miniseries, we will explore in more depth the miraculous event of embryological folding in our own bodies, consider how the early reception by the parents can affect us, and practice offering the little one within the welcome we may have missed back then. We will also attend to the power of repair where a child has come into life with less than total celebration.
* All of our online courses and workshops will be recorded, and the replays of each class will be available to those who are enrolled.

Exploring
Embryo Folding, Discovery,
and Welcome

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A 3-part series
with Cherionna Menzam-Sills
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3 consecutive Tuesdays
in June

June 13, 20 & 27, 2023
10am - 12pm PDT
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About this Workshop Series

Towards the end of the third week after conception, a biological miracle occurs. While the entire process of embryological formation and life itself are miraculous, the embryological folding in the third week is truly awe-inspiring. The development of these few days transforms the little embryo from a relatively flat three-layered disc into a more familiar fetal shape, culminating with an “ignition” of the heart that suddenly begins beating.

The term, “ignition,” is used in the hands-on practice of Craniosacral Biodynamics to refer to a perceived sense of sudden awakening, often experienced as a blast of light or energy. In this case, the newly formed heart begins its rhythmic motion, to be continued until death.

It is also common for this important embryological moment to correlate with the time when the pregnancy is discovered. How the parents receive this news can profoundly affect the little one's sense of safety and welcome. This experience tends to be recorded in the heart/chest area.

In this talk and series, we explore some specifics of embryological folding in our own bodies, consider how this early reception by the parents can affect us, and practice offering the little one within the welcome we may have missed back then. We also attend to the power of repair where a child has come into life with less than total celebration.

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June 13th: 
Embodying Embryo Folding

This first class introduces the developmental milestone of embryological folding. Informed by images of how folding occurs, we will explore this movement in our own bodies, with the possibility of accessing the original potential of this embryo gesture.
June 20th: 
Discovery, Wounding, and Repair
This class expands on the embryological event of folding to address the psychological experience of Discovery that tends to occur at the same time. We will consider how the little ones may be affected by their reception at this time, particularly by their parents. Lifelong tendencies will also be noted, along with introducing the power of repair and applying the Castellino principle of welcome.
June 27th: 
Addressing Discovery Wounding
This class focuses on healing and repair in relation to Discovery. This includes what we can offer to our own inner little one as well as how we can support parents or others in enhancing safety and welcome for people of any age who have not experienced this at Discovery.
  MEET THE FACILITATOR  

Cherionna Menzam-Sills

Compassionate Somatic Prenatal and Birth Therapist

CHERIONNA MENZAM-SILLS, PhD began teaching Embodied Embryology through somatic movement in 1997 as part of her doctoral studies in Pre- & Perinatal Psychology, which led to her teaching at Naropa University and the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute. She has taught and facilitated Pre- and Perinatal Psychology/Therapy, Continuum (a mindful movement practice), and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy internationally, often with her husband, Biodynamics pioneer Franklyn Sills.

She currently offers post-graduate training for practitioners to enhance their skill in recognizing and meeting prenatal and birth material arising in session work, as well as small womb surround process workshops, for which she is an approved facilitator through Castellino Training. Her background includes extensive study with Pre- and Perinatal Psychology pioneers William Emerson and Ray Castellino, and Continuum founder, Emilie Conrad, who authorized her to teach Continuum in 2007.

Cherionna has authored three books,
  • The Breath of Life: An Introduction Craniosacral Biodynamics,
  • Spirit into Form: Exploring Embryological Potential and Prenatal Psychology, 
  • and the forthcoming Birth as Shadow: Shining Light on our Prenatal and Birth Experiences.

Cherionna is committed in her work and life to embodied presence.

You can learn more about Cherionna and her work at:


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