The Post-Conference Workshop with Michael Shea has been cancelled and may be offered at a later date.
Join us online via Zoom ~ or in person in Estes Park, Colorado
We are excited to invite you to the 2023 Breath of Life Conference, September 7 - 10, 2023.
For the first time, we will be holding a hybrid Conference. You can attend in-person, or register to watch Conference presentations live over Zoom, as we gather Heart to Heart.
 The Conference will be broadcast live fromYMCA of the Rockies (www.ymcarockies.org), the largest YMCA in the world and borders Rocky Mountain National Park.
If you attend in person, you will enjoy a beautiful vacation destination, YMCA of the Rockies was founded in 1907 and expands over 860 acres. You will likely encounter lots of wildlife on your visit, including deer, elk, horses, wild turkeys and magpies. There are many activities available at the YMCA, including horseback riding on the trails and a lovely salt water pool. The rooms are spacious, fresh and comfortable.
Conference registration includes access to video recordings of the live presentations for at least 90 days after the Conference. You will be able to access recordings from an online Conference Packet.
Benefit Prize Drawing & Online Auction
We are excited to be offering a special Prize Drawing, plus an Online Auction during the Conference! Proceeds from both of these events will benefit the Stephanie Abramson Fund, established to assist BIPOC students in learning craniosacral biodynamics and sharing the work in support for their communities. Over the past two years, the Abramson Fund has provided scholarship assistance to many BIPOC students attending BCST Foundation training courses. Help us continue this scholarship program!
Enter the Benefit Prize Drawing
The Drawing will be open exclusively to Conference regsistrants. We are currently collecting a number of fabulous drawing prizes including books, sessions and more. Conference registrants will be receive information via email, on how to purchase drawing tickets. See the ongoing list of prizes shown below the Conference Speakers list.
Please contact us if you have an item you would like to donate to our Raffle!
Bid in the Benefit Auction
An Online Silent Auction will also be held during the Conference. You will have the opportunity to bid on training or supervision offered by from some of the most experienced BCST teachers and practitioners in North America. All proceeds will benefit the Stephanie Abramson Fund. Watch for more information to come on how to join the fun by bidding!
Conference Speakers
Anna Chitty, RCST®
Keynote Speaker
 Anna Chitty is the founder of Colorado School of Energy Studies. Her formal health care training began in 1979, with Polarity Therapy. In the 1980s she was the lead teacher and director of the Polarity Therapy and Holistic Health programs at Murrieta Hot Springs, CA. She contributed to the creation of the BCTA/NA and served as a teacher liaison to its first Board of Directors. She was also a co-founder of the International Association of Biodynamic Trainings. She has been a keynote speaker and presenter at many professional association conferences. Learn more about Anna's school at energyschool.com.
Beverly Castaneda
Land Acknowledgement & Fireside Chat
 Beverly Castaneda is a Guide of Light who has experiences in addiction and recovery, and physical, emotional, mental, cultural erasure, and spiritual trauma. She has many and various modalities. Her Ancestral Medicines, Ute, Diné teachings and Tibetan Cranial Medicine taught by Shar Lee Tibetan Cranial lineage holder and master teacher. As an Indigenous Descendant of the original tribes of the Boulder and Denver area, she serves her community as a Board Director and Indigenous Relations Consultant internally and externally for Harvest Of All First Nations. Her path includes reciprocity to the ancestors, sharing intuitive messages, healing, balance, and forgiveness as we Honor Mother Earth and Honor the Cosmos. She is committed to passing down Indigenous Knowledges and teachings. She is also an initiate of Oxalju Ochoch Tz’ikin – The House of the 13 Eagles – School of Maya Cosmology & Cosmic Investigation, taught by Maya Spiritual Guide/Priest Nataline R. Cruz, recognized and supported by the Elder Don Miguel Angel Chiquin Yat & La Asociación de Pueblos Mayas para el Desarollo y la Productividad “Manuel TOT” (Asomaya).
Michael Shea, PhD, RCST®, LMT
John Chitty Memorial Lecture: The Biodynamic Heart, Embryology and Clinical Practice
Michael Shea is one of the preeminent educators and authors in the fields of somatic psychology, myofascial release and craniosacral therapy. He received his master’s degree in Buddhist Psychology at Naropa University, and a doctorate in Somatic Psychology at The Union Institute. In 1986, he was certified as one of the first Full Instructors of CranioSacral Therapy by the Upledger Institute. He has been a Florida Licensed Massage Therapist since 1976, and was an advanced rolfer for 20 years. He is a founding member of the International Affiliation of Biodynamic Trainings and the Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge task force (MTBOK). Learn more about Michael's work at sheaheart.com
Angela Richardson, BCST
Ancestral Reverence and Renewal: Remembering Our Origins to Remember Belonging
 As a Mother, Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist (BCST), educator and creative, Angela Richardson’s inspiration shines when she is in direct communion and collaboration with our Earth Mother and Grandmother Moon. Actively listening to what rests at the borderlands, Angela’s ancestors have gifted her a rich body of knowledge as a mixed blooded, CO born, woman of Mexica, MesoAmerican, Scandinavian and European descent. Granddaughter to Gloria Huerta and daughter to Diana and Lowell Richardson, it is in the liminal space Angela cultivates an unwavering relationship with potency, possibility and compassion. It is from this place, Angela is betrothed to live humbly from her origin of belonging. Her greatest joy is resourcing her spirit, wonder and imagination within the verdant groves of our Earth Mother, Tonantzin, and the wellspring of community.
Susan Raffo
Aligning the Relational Field: On Being in Relationship to Craniosacral Therapy’s Origins
 Susan Raffo is a writer, cultural worker and bodyworker with a personal practice who is part of the Healing Histories Project focused on transforming the medical industrial complex and REP, a Black-led network working towards community safety and wellness. Raffo is the author of Queerly Classed, Restricted Access, and Liberated to the Bone.
Luka Barba, RCST®
The Sacredness of Birthing and the Postpartum Period \
 By bringing her BCST training, Pre and Perinatal Psychology wisdom, ancestral intuition and traditions to the forefront, Luka Barba honors the sacredness of birthing and the postpartum period. She helps her clients tap into their own intuition and forgotten capabilities, allowing them to heal and thrive. Her work with mothers, families, newborns and babies uplifts and supports them physically, psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually. Learn more about Luka's work at deeplyrootedhealing.com
Michael Dunning, BCST
Primary Respiration and the Mystery of the Horizon
 Michael Dunning is a Teacher, writer and educator in biodynamic craniosacral therapy. He emigrated to the USA in 2003 from Scotland and currently resides in rural Western Massachusetts where he offers a two-year foundation training, individual sessions and practitioner mentoring in a unique form of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy based on direct teachings of the yew tree as custodian to the vast healing and regenerative powers of the Otherworld. Learn more about Michael's work at yewmysteries.com
Joanne Gallagher, RCST®
Biodynamic Craniosacral Tools: To Present the Philosophy, Science and Art of Biodynamic Craniosacral as a Heartfelt Lifetime Process
 Joanna Gallagher graduated Summa cum Laude as a Doctor of Chiropractic from Sherman College of Chiropractic, Spartanburg, SC in 1982. She engaged in a family based chiropractic practice in PA and developed a very successful practice serving clients and families. Her service experience and postgraduate leaning transitioned her practice to the field of Craniosacral where she received extensive training with the Upledger Institute and Biodynamic Craniosacral teaching teams of the US. She became a RCST® with the BCTA/NA in March 2014. She currently has travel practices in different states, serving clients and families throughout the US. Learn more about Joanne's work at lifeexpressionwellness.com.
Marla Meneghin, RCST®
Unlock the Power of Your Heart – Aligning and Synchronizing Heart, Brain, and Nervous System
 Marla Meneghin has experience and education as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Doula, Biotherapeutic Drainage Practitioner, Craniosacral Therapist, Rubimed Therapist, in the study of Natural Health Modalities, and as a Licensed Paramedic. She has worked in these fields for the past 12 years and continues studying and growing in the fields of Natural Medicine. Marla is a heart focused individual believing that there is a root cause of all health issues and works in an individualized way with each new client to help them achieve the optimized deeper resourcing of life within them. She is a nature lover, long distance runner, and looks forward to meeting new people in this community.
Learn more about Marla's work at meneghinwellness.com
Margaret Rosenau, RCST®
When it’s not Mine or Theirs: Tools for Recognizing and Resolving Energetic Phenomena in BCST
Margaret Rosenau is a Registered® Craniosacral Therapist ( 2003), Somatic Experiencing® practitioner (2002), Pre and Perinatal Therapist (2004) and Polarity Therapist (1998).She also holds a Master's Degree in Gerontology from the University of Southern California (2012). Margaret is a wife, mother, writer and activist deeply committed to amplifying the aliveness in the world and repairing the systemic disconnection between people and their bodies.
Morning Movement Sessions
A selection of two 45-minute Morning Movement sessions will be held early each morning on September 8, 9 and 10.
Cator Shachoy, RCST®, CIAYT yoga therapist, YACEP instructor
4 Core Actions and Mindful Awareness to Release Your Jaw
 Cator Shachoy began the practices of yoga, Buddhist meditation, and Craniosacral in 1990 to heal chronic illness. Through the regular practice of these disciplines, she recovered her strength and vitality. For Cator, personal growth and development is a healing path inviting us to become more intimate with everything. Her bodywork, movement and meditation practices are deeply integrated. Cator is a CIAYT yoga therapist, YACEP instructor, Mindfulness teacher and Visionary Craniosacral work practitioner with private practice in the SF bay area. She is the author of, The TMJ Handbook: How to Relieve Jaw Tension with Yoga & Mindfulness, forthcoming fall 2022 from Shambhala publications. Cator teachers online & internationally. Learn more about Cator at catorshachoy.com and youthyogadharma.org.
Mary Ganzon, RCST®
Spacious Goodness: Heaven, Earth and Human – Contemplative Movement
Mary Ganzon moves, cultivates moving and movement. In between she sits in the stillness, resting and being held. She practices biodynamic craniosacral therapy and lives on a small island in the Salish Sea.
Elizabeth Chitty Sandoval
Dance Movement
Certified as a Biodynamic Craniosacral and Polarity Therapist, Liz Chitty is passionate about continuing John and Anna Chitty's vision and legacy as Director of Colorado School of Energy Studies.
Kathleen Morrow, RCST®, RPP, LMT
Energy Exercises
Kathleen Morrow has been practicing Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy for 35 years. She has been developing and teaching various other bodywork programs such as Lymphatic, Touch for Health, and Polarity Therapies for 25 years and is trained in Raindrop Therapy using Young Living Essential Oils. She is an Approved Teacher with the BCTA/NA and has a private practice in Green Mountain Falls, Colorado.
Margaret Bruder, RCST®
Finding Ease Through Movement, Body Stories and Play
Margaret Bruder has been practicing massage therapy and has spent her life seeking various healing modalities to bring balance and healing into her practice and her personal life. She has studied ayurvedic healing and is a tai chi instructor, an Interplay facilitator, as well as a former special education teacher.
James Foulkes, RCST®, RYT 500, Certified Yoga Therapist
Qi Gong – Craniosacral Therapy Practitioner Self-Awareness
 James Foulkes is a 19th Generation Wu Dang Dragons Gate practitioner and has been practicing Qi Gong Yoga, and Kung Fu for 15+years. He is a registered yoga therapy practitioner, with the International Association of Yoga Therapists, and works with clients and students in Washington DC and on retreats and courses around the world. His first book on Yoga Therapy came out in 2017. He has been studying craniosacral therapy for 15+ years and is a teacher in training in BCST in Washington DC, as part of Roger Gilchrist’s Wellness Institute, based in Colorado. Learn more about James at jamesfoulkes.com.
BCTA/NA Members: $250 USD
Nonmembers: $295 USD
Early Bird Discount: $25 off when you register by April 2, 2023
Conference Drawing Prizes
Drawing prizes are being generously donated by BCTA/NA members for our drawing benefit the Stephanie Abramson Fund. Prize donations are still being accepted. If you have an item you would like to donate, please contact us!
This prize list will be updated as additional items are donated.
Sessions & Classes
- Supervision session, donated by Scott Zamurut
- Supervision Session, donated by Ryan Hallford
- Supervision/Mentorship or Online BCST Session, donated by Robyn Michele Jones
- Two-hour Online Session, donated by Mimi Ikle-Khalsa
- Online BCST Session, donated by Christel Libiot
- Supervision/Mentorship or Online BCST Session, donated by Kathleen Morrow
- Supervision/Mentorship or Online BCST Session, donated by Lucie Mitchell
- Supervision Session, donated by Margaret Rosenau
- Astrology Reading Session, donated by Ruti Wagaki
- Group Perception Awareness Class, donated by Anna Chitty
- Online BCST Session, donated by Joyce Harader
- Online BCST Session for a Pet, donated by Joyce Harader
- Supervision/Mentorship or Online BCST Session, donated by Sageele Cuesta
- Supervision or Distance Session, donated by Gary Peterson
- Pre- and Perinatal Session, donated by Susan Hall
- Continuum Session, donated by Prue Jeffries
- Distance/Mentoring or Yoga Therapy Session, donated by Cator Shachoy
Books & Skull
- Adult Skull, donated by Peggy Janes
- The Breath of Life, by Cherionna Menzam-Sills, book donated by Peggy Janes
- Visceral Osteopathy -The Peritoneal Organs, book donated by Peggy Janes
- The Biodynamics of the Immune System, by Michael Shea, book, donated by Michael Shea
- Liberated to the Bone, book donated by Susan Raffo
- The TMJ Handbook: A Therapeutic Guide to Relieving Jaw Tension and Pain with Yoga and Mindfulness, book donated by Cator Shachoy
Treatment Room Amenities
- Online facial gua sha training, including gua sha tool, donated by Amy Linville
- Gift Basket of Herbal Tinctures & Flower Essences, donated by Dee Powers
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