Traveling Spa Blogger-New Mexico
Blue Desert Hale a Retreat and Learning Center Escabosa, New Mexico http://www.bluedesert.org/ www.craniomasters.com
Mission: Attend a 4 day cranial sacral intensive specific to working with the sphenoid bone. Consult with owner regarding business development, Social media enhancements, logo work and future retreat expansion and fundraising possibilities.
My arrival at Blue Desert Hale felt like going through the gateway to the real west after my long drive from Hot Springs Arkansas (See Previous Blog). Escabosa is about 30 minutes outside of Albuquerque. A rural desert oasis with long range views that slope gradually down which almost mimic an ocean view in the distance. After a very long gravel road drive in, I was immediately drawn to the eclectic off the grid home and greenhouse, solar panels glistening in the sun. My dogs popped out of the car quick and made friends with the local pack of canines and we all instantly felt a deep state of peace. The retreat is owned by licensed massage therapist and Ayurvedic practitioner, Leila Von Stein. Leila also works with me a few weeks out of the year at my spa, Mantra in Cashiers. She is a Brevard NC native, an entrepreneur, a fellow seeker/world traveler, a visionary and a strong woman and friend I respect deeply. Leila took all 13 cranial sacral intensives taught by Etienne Peirsman, owner of The Cranial Sacral School of the Masters based out of the Netherlands and Santa Fe at the time. She says it completely changed her life and she then convinced him to relocate his class room from Santa Fe to her retreat center and even designed and built him a stunning off the grid, straw bale home! Words can not express how incredible this workshop and the teachings of Etienne were. The course was “Sphenoid Studies and Intelligence” and I’m already plotting my return in March for “Understanding and Working with Alarm Systems”. His methods of teaching are zen-like and humble. I sense zero ego coming from him and only heart centered grace. He has the gift of lecturing anatomy but always reminding us to feel, not overthink. Etienne studied Cranial Sacral in India, worked closely with the famous cranial sacral teacher “Upledger" and has been teaching his methods since 1990. He is the Founder and Director of “Peirsman Cranial Sacral Academy” in the Netherlands, which just celebrated 20 years in business.
Our class had 6 returning students, apparently this is very common and students take courses repeatedly, following him from state to state if needed. The work is profound both intellectually and energetically. I too will be returning for more classes. We are currently working on a Cranial Sacral Therapist locator for you to find the closest graduate to you for a session. If you are a cranial sacral client and have received the work before, you will see a large difference in this method verses traditional cranial. To all of Mantras clients, keep an eye out for a new cranial sacral addition this year to the spa menu! Future: Inward Bound, is in planning stages. This will be a 200 acre, off-the-grid retreat/learning center. A variety of programs will take place annually. One of the main courses will involve cranial sacral teachings to children and parents which will be woven together with horse back riding and equine therapy. Fund raising efforts will begin soon 2018. Stayed tuned for more information on how to be a part of this exciting project! Next Stop Ten Thousand Waves, Santa Fe!
