Faculty & Staff
Etienne Peirsman, Founder
Etienne Peirsman is one of the most respected CranioSacral teachers worldwide, and has been teaching for nearly 30 years. He founded Peirsman CranioSacral in the Netherlands, and originated the CranioSacral Professional Organization in Holland, and is an honorary member of The Dutch CranioSacral Practitioner Association. Additionally, he taught CranioSacral at the New Mexico Academy of Healing Arts and Bastyr University for nearly a decade. He now teaches at his new school, Peirsman CranioSacral in Escabosa, New Mexico. Etienne is also the author of the wonderful book, Craniosacral Therapy for Babies and Small Children.
As a meditator of over 40 years, Etienne Peirsman developed a unique teaching style over the past two decades that adds an extraordinarily compassionate and meditative depth to the methods used by the Upledger Institute and combines a practical, no-nonsense approach with the biodynamic style.
His specialty is the expression of the Heart, the long tide, and their connection to meditation and enlightenment. He has said “Drop the word therapy. It is not part of who and what we are. Face it, you are perfect and your heart is perfect”.
Tina Vervaeke
Faculty, Family Constellations
The essence of Tina’s work is to guide people towards greater awareness of their emotions, relationships and patterns. From that insight there can be healing. She guides them, as it were, to do conscious fitness.
The way is in all simplicity with respect for what is. Less is more is the attitude from which it works.
Through the systemic 'perception' during her sessions, the broader picture is shown and what lies in the unconscious is brought to light. And this without any fuss, straight to the core of the problem , with respect for the resistance.
Tina graduated from the Peirsman Academy in 2004. Until 2013 she was a teacher at this academy in the Netherlands and Belgium. She now teaches at Peirsman CranioSacral in New Mexico, US where she teaches CranioSacral combined with systemic work .
In 2008 she also graduated from the Hellinger Institute as a supervisor for systemic work and family constellations . There she also followed the training to become an organization compiler for companies.
Wilco Ledema
Faculty, Psoas Release
Wilko Ledema works as Rebalancer and Counselor. He has been one of the main teachers at the Dutch Rebalancing School for Bodywork & Meditation since 1995. Since 2017 he has the role of senior guest- teacher. Wilko is active as a guest- teacher as well at the Peirsman CranioSacral Academy in Holland since 2011 where he presents the Psoas Release 1 & 2 modules.
One of his specialties is working with anger and fear, in which he offers yearly short and effective intensives for over 15 years.
With great passion and motivation he also shares his love and over 30 years of experience for working with awareness through the body in his private practice SAMO in Amstelveen, Holland.
Wilko has been trained in Rebalancing, Osho Counseling, Rebirthing, Primal Therapy, Arun Conscious Touch, Arun Thai Healing Bodywork, The School for the Work of Byron Katie.
Lena Armstrong, LMT, CST-C
Faculty
Lena Armstrong has been consciously working with her kundalini energy daily since 2008, and has been practicing cranio since 2011. Her personal experience with the profound healing and transformative power of kundalini has led her deeply into her cranio practice, and has allowed her to be a witness to that same healing potential in her clients. Lena lives and enjoys a thriving practice in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
“I began my training in bodywork at Brenneke School of Massage in Seattle, WA in 2006. While still in massage school, I felt myself drawn to CranioSacral. Over the years that pull became stronger, until finally, in 2011, I began my study of this incredibly gentle, yet powerful technique. After becoming certified as a CranioSacral practitioner through Bastyr University, I began my advanced studies with Etienne Peirsman, one of the most esteemed CranioSacral teachers in the world. To this day I continue to deepen my knowledge and understanding of this beautiful work under his guidance.”
Sunday Law, MS, CHES, CST, CYT
Faculty
Born at home to a radically courageous mother, in a small mountain village of Northern New Mexico, Sunday found her passion in the Healing Arts of Midwifery, CranioSacral, Meditation, and a lifelong practice of Bhakti Yoga. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist and holds a MS in Health Promotion from Maryland University of Integrative Health. She is a world traveler with a vast love of mountains, and a deep desire to be of service.
A mother of three water birth babies, she believes deeply in the natural birthing and healing powers of the human body. Her love and appreciation for CranioSacral began in 2000 with the birth of her first child. From 2011-2013 she had the honor of studying with Etienne Piersman at the NM Academy of Healing Arts, and since then has incorporated CS into her personal practice, mothering, midwifery, and yoga instruction. She has first hand experience of the profound benefits CS has on the birthing parent and baby, and is very enthusiastic about sharing this practice for the benefit of humanity at large.
Elana Sue St. Pierre, O.T.R.
Faculty
Pediatric Occupational Therapist since 1980. Specialization in Biodynamic and Biomechanical Craniosacral with infants following training with John Barnes; the Upledger Institute; Regi Boehme since 1987; The Barral Institute 1996; Michael Shea 2001; and numerous Osteopaths. Training as a Midwife assisting in over 100 births and 300 newborn exams in 1993.
Extensive training including movement assessment & facilitation, sensory intregration, visceral & neural manipulation, lymphatic drainage, meridian balancing, jin shin jyutsu, myofascial release and currently studying medicinal plant oils/hydrolsols/essences. Santa Fe resident since 1993. Mother since 1998.
Learn more about Elana Sue and her work here: handsforhealthandharmony.com
Koa Kalish
Faculty
Koa has been immersed deeply in the world of CranioSacral since 2011, opening her own private practice in 2016. For the last decade, she has also worked professionally as a photographer and writer, inspired by the beauty and resilience of the human spirit and natural world. She weaves her devotion through textile arts, tea ceremony, music and dance.
Learn more about Koa and her work here: koakalish.com
Ami Opal, N.D.
Faculty
Ami is a licensed naturopathic physician practicing in Oregon. She has over a decade of experience in practicing internal pelvic work, structural integration, myofascial release, and cranialsacral therapies. Through her heart, spirit centered intention and potent modalities, she helps guide you to your creative and fertile center. Ami’s offerings come from a lifetime of study and connection with the sacred threads that bind all living things.
Learn more Ami and her work here: amiopal.com
Staff
Director: Michelle Bush DOM, CST
Grounds Manager: Roy Provost