• Is Craniosacral like Massage?

No. Craniosacral comes from Osteopathy, the study of the bones. It is a completely different modality from massage altogether. In fact, up until recently it used to be illegal to practice craniosacral therapy if one wasn’t a Doctor of Osteopathy.

• Is Craniosacral like Reiki?

No. Reiki involves channeling life force energy. Craniosacral does not involve channeling at all. It involves developing attuned and refined subtle perceptual skills to listen to the movements of the bones, membranes, fluids and bioenergetics of the body.

• After taking the Breath of Life Course Stillness Speaks, will I be able to practice what I learned with friends, family, and loved ones for free?

Yes. You may offer practice sessions to friends and family, for free, with clear consent and understanding they are part of your learning process.

• After taking the Breath of Life Course, will I be able to offer sessions for a $ fee?

No. All students sign an agreement form which includes the following: "I agree to not claim to be a biodynamic craniosacral practitioner after this course, nor offer sessions for a fee, unless I have successfully met the requirements of certification." 

• What do “practice sessions” mean?

Practice sessions are to practice what you are learning - not for money, donations, or trades. Offering your practice sessions to a paying client, if it does not meet their clinical goals, would be a disservice to them, and to your own learning.

• If I do not offer sessions for a fee, can I still offer them for donation, pay what you can, or trade?

No. This still sets up a power dynamic between practitioner and client. Until you are certified, it is unethical to offer sessions for donation or trade.

• What are the requirements of certification?

Certification takes at least 2-3 years of consistent study under supervision. While we are currently building out our program for this, there are plenty of other craniosacral programs that require 2-3 years of training, and also require that student's offer practice sessions for free.

• What is the legal certification and licensing process of being a craniosacral practitioner?

This is dependent on location. Please check on the licensing guidelines of the state where you live.

• If I can get certified in Reiki in 3-days, how is this different?

This is not like a reiki training. This is a much deeper process that demands utmost integrity. The Breath of Life Course is a four-day introduction to the world of craniosacral biodynamics, wherein we barely scratch the surface. There is a strong and serious boundary around this as it is quite dangerous to begin this process of giving sessions for money/donations after just one four-day intro training. Respecting this request and boundary keeps our community safe, our work reputable, and our learning humble.

• If I am already a professional bodyworker or therapist of some kind, can I blend this modality with my work?

Until you are a certified craniosacral practitioner, it is important to refrain from blending modalities while you are learning. It is unethical to work outside of your scope of practice.

• Can I practice on select current clients from my bodywork practice? I have expressed already about that this very new work, and I am not a practitioner in this modality.

To offer practice sessions to your clients even without a fee would be unfair to the already existing dynamic: it would set up a dual relationship, which ultimately could be a disservice to your business and your learning which is in the very beginning stages. If you feel this is a modality that your clients would benefit from, refer them to an experienced and certified practitioner.

• Can I offer free practice sessions publicly?

Your practice sessions are not for the public - they are intended to be for friends, family and other students.

• Community consciousness regarding public advertising —

If we live in small towns and begin to offer our services publicly, it is not only unethical, but it drowns out the practitioners that are currently working professionally or on their way to that, and have put in the time that it takes. There are many intermediate and advanced students and assistants that have studied for a long time, who continue to do their practice quietly and diligently, slowly gaining experience, and limiting their practice sessions to friends, family, and co-students.

• The deeper reason for all of this —

This work is powerful and we have the potential to touch on very deep vulnerable spaces with our clients. This takes a lot of experience, training and practice - and to first and foremost go to those places within ourselves. After a class like this, there needs to be time and space to do the inner work, to receive your own sessions, and practice with trusted friends, family, students, or other bodyworkers perhaps - none of which are your clients. What we “do” is so nuanced and potentially profound. In order to gain the tools and “beingness” it takes to truly attune to the field and to our clients, we have to return to these learning containers again and again where we can safely practice. The only way is time and devotion… sit back and wait, set it down, let it simmer and let it take its time.

• In short —

Do your practice sessions, but not for money, not with clients, and publicly advertised. Continue your learning and healing by receiveing sessions from certified practitioners. This is a quiet cultivation: there is beauty, depth and richness in that. Share what excites you, but respect the safety guidelines.

• Questions? Write to: support@koakalish.com