Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy

(BCST) is a gentle, non-invasive form of bodywork that focuses on supporting the body’s natural ability to heal and self-regulate. 

The results of treatment include deep relaxation, resetting of the nervous system, and renewed coherence in the energetic field.

Welcome

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, a long-time meditator, a 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.

Learn more... 

Typically Treated Conditions

  • By addressing underlying patterns of tension and supporting the body’s natural healing mechanisms, BCST offers relief and a path toward greater comfort and vitality.

  • BCST offers a gentle and deeply restorative approach to easing stress and tension. By working with the body’s natural rhythms and encouraging a state of profound relaxation, BCST helps to:

    • Release patterns of chronic tension stored in the tissues and nervous system.

    • Calm the body’s fight-or-flight response, promoting a sense of safety and balance.

    • Enhance the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and energy, supporting overall vitality.

    • Create space for emotional release, fostering mental clarity and peace.

  • BCST provides a compassionate and non-invasive approach to addressing the lingering effects of trauma. By working with the body’s natural rhythms and self-regulating abilities, BCST can help:

    • Calm the Nervous System: Gently shift the body out of a fight-or-flight state into a place of safety and relaxation.

    • Release Trauma Held in the Tissues: Help the body process and let go of tension or patterns created during traumatic events.

    • Restore Emotional Balance: Create space for emotional healing without reactivating the trauma.

    • Rebuild Resilience: Strengthen the body’s capacity to self-regulate and respond to stress in healthier ways.

  • Early attachment patterns are formed in infancy and are deeply influenced by the bond between a baby and their primary caregivers. Disruptions in this bond, due to stress, medical interventions, or other challenges, can affect emotional, physical, and relational well-being throughout life.

    BCST offers a gentle and nurturing approach to repairing early attachment patterns by:

    • Creating a Safe Space: For both parent and child to connect and experience deep states of safety and presence.

    • Releasing Tension and Trauma: Helping to process and release stress or trauma held in the baby’s and parent’s bodies, often from birth or early experiences.

    • Supporting Nervous System Regulation: Promoting a balanced state of calm and connection, essential for healthy attachment and emotional bonding.

    • Fostering Emotional Connection: Encouraging a deeper, more attuned relationship between parent and baby through shared moments of stillness and healing.

  • The postpartum period can be physically and emotionally demanding, and BCST provides much-needed support for mothers as they navigate recovery and new parenthood. BCST helps by:

    • Promoting Physical Healing: Addressing residual tension from childbirth, including pelvic and abdominal discomfort.

    • Alleviating Stress and Fatigue: Encouraging relaxation and supporting recovery from sleep deprivation or hormonal changes.

    • Supporting Emotional Well-being: Helping mothers process the emotional transitions of postpartum life, including baby blues or postpartum anxiety.

    • Enhancing Bonding: Creating a calm and connected space for mother and baby to thrive together.

Based in Richmond, Virginia

This space is dedicated to the liberation of all beings from suffering through acts of nurturing and reciprocity with Nature. 

Sessions by Appointment

In-person

Wednesdays and Saturdays in Bon Air

Remote Sessions

Thursdays and Fridays on Zoom

Soul Witness is a reminder of your true essence,

the etheric bridge that connects you with all dimensions of being.

  • "Marisa creates a tranquil and comforting environment in which I could wholly relax and trust in her ability and knowledge of the body."

    Anonymous

  • "Craniosacral Therapy is the only process that I have found to be effective for managing sciatic pain. Marisa has been patient and caring; the treatment, effective."

    Marz

  • "Marisa is an extraordinary presence. She has an awareness of the internal and external forces that unite to manifest in the power of the moment – and she brings her knowledge of indigenous healing, earth based spiritual practices, embodied compassion and sacred movement to all her work."

    -Arisika Razak