Hello!
My name is Marisa Manriquez, and I am a dedicated Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist committed to supporting you on your journey to greater balance and well-being. I am also a contemplative, meditator, ritual artist, and a mother — all of which, deeply inform my craniosacral practice.
My practice is rooted in the belief that the body has an innate ability to heal itself, and my role is to create a safe, nurturing space where this natural process can unfold.
Through gentle, non-invasive touch, I listen deeply to the rhythms and wisdom of your body, helping to release tension, restore harmony, and promote a sense of wholeness. Whether you are seeking relief from physical discomfort, emotional stress, or simply wish to reconnect with your inner vitality, I am here to support you with empathy and care.
I approach each session with respect, compassion, and the utmost confidence in the transformative power of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy. It would be an honor to walk alongside you on your healing journey.
I look forward to meeting you and holding space for your unique needs.
Degrees & Certifications
2025 —Certificate (pending) in Pre- and Perinatal Education (Riverbluff Sanctuaries)
2023 —Certified Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist (Riverbluff Sanctuaries)
2012 —Certified Youth Mindfulness Educator (Niroga Yoga)
2011 —Certified Yoga Teacher (Yoga Alliance/ Niroga Yoga)
2011 —Master’s Degree in Philosophy & Religion, Concentration in Women’s Spirituality (California Institute of Integral Studies)
2006 -Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies, Minor in French, Concentration in Anthropology (University of Illinois)
Trainings & Apprenticeships
2014-2020 —Vipassana Meditation & Buddhist Philosophy (Spirit Rock Meditation Center)
2013-2020 —Plant Medicine Apprenticeship (Peruvian Amazon)
2011-2015 — Shamanic Initiation and Apprenticeship (Andean, Indo-European, and Sephardic Lineages)
Soul Witness
I founded Soul Witness in 2012 as a channel for divinatory and alchemical practices to spark the journey of inner work, personal growth, and healing. What began as a seed blossomed into a sanctuary—a space where you are seen, held, and accepted as you are. Soul Witness gently reconnects you to your true essence, the etheric bridge linking you to all dimensions of being.
For over 15 years, I have immersed myself in meditation, women’s embodiment, and folk healing traditions. My practice spans ritual facilitation, herbal medicine craft, guided journeywork, yoga, meditation, and the sacred art of laying on hands.
In 2021, I stepped back from facilitation to prepare for the conception, pregnancy, and birth of my first child. This transformative journey became the catalyst for my path to becoming a craniosacral therapist.
A profound craniosacral therapy session for my infant son led me to meet Janet Evergreen, the practitioner and teacher who would guide my certification journey at Riverbluff Sanctuary in Charlottesville, Virginia. Throughout 2023, as I navigated all the tender phases of my postpartum year, I trained with Janet, integrating many techniques into the rhythms of my home and family life.
The support I have found in this practice has been tremendous. Navigating the delicate balance between caring for my child and nurturing myself has been among the most challenging experiences of my life. Yet, life’s complexity fuels my passion for transformation—healing that transcends time and space with courageous thoroughness and gentle grace.
Over the past two years, my family and community have become my training ground. Offering craniosacral therapy freely and by donation, I have deepened my experience while gestating the wisdom of this incredible tradition. Rooted in osteopathic medicine, craniosacral therapy continues to evolve—from its mechanical origins to biodynamic and visionary perspectives—each school offering profound wisdom and insight.
