About the Practitioner
Kiva has always had a deeply passionate curiosity about the living body, the nature of the energy that animates us, and the meaning of being embodied. In her twenties this curiosity would deepen after she learned to listen with an open heart and a quiet mind to the inner wisdom and the silent voice of the body.
Through studying the art and science of CranioSacral Therapy and bodywork, she started healing her nervous system and body and discovering what it feels like to truly thrive. After a life-changing recovery from fear and illness she understood, from a place of purpose and gratitude, that the next act of her new life would be to share this work with all who wish to reconnect with their truest self, and rediscover their vitality and joy of life.
Since 2016, it has been Kiva's passion to share these empowering and healing benefits with her clients and their families in the San Francisco Bay Area. Kiva supports Silicon Valley's top talent pioneering AI research, creative visionaries, leading-edge innovators, and high-performing academics. She teaches CranioSacral Therapy classes at McKinnon Body Therapy Center in Oakland, California, and she teacher assists CranioSacral Therapy classes for the Upledger Institute in workshops across the country.
Professional Experience & Education
Visceral Manipulation Training, The Barral Institute, 2025-Present
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Visceral Manipulation: Abdomen 1 (VM1), Assessment of Structural Relationships between Viscera, and their Fascial or Ligamentous Attachments to the Musculoskeletal System, in San Francisco, CA, 2025, instructor Brandi Kirk
CranioSacral Therapy Teacher Assistant, The Upledger Institute, 2024-Present
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CranioSacral Therapy 2 (CS2) in Hartford, CT, 2025, instructor Frederick Stahlman
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CranioSacral Therapy 1 (CS1) in Santa Barbara, CA, 2025, instructor Lisa Desrochers
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CranioSacral Therapy 1 (CS1) in Emeryville, CA, 2024, instructor Lisa Desrochers
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CranioSacral Therapy 1 (CS1) in Detroit, MI, 2024, instructor Mabel Sharp
CranioSacral Therapy Instructor, McKinnon Body Therapy Center, 2022-Present
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CranioSacral Therapy instructor at McKinnon Body Therapy Center in Oakland, CA, teaching CranioSacral Therapy classes including weekend introduction classes, 125 hour long core curriculum classes, and advanced extra curriculum classes
Graduate, Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology, California Institute of Integral Studies, 2019-2020
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Bachelor of Science in Psychology, focuses in somatics, cerebrospinal fluid, and trauma in underserved communities
CranioSacral Therapy Training, The Upledger Institute, 2018-Present
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Advanced CranioSacral Therapy 2 (ADV2), in Truth or Consequences, NM, 2025, instructor Chas Perry
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Advanced CranioSacral Therapy 1 (ADV1), in Lansing, MI, 2024, instructor Maggie Gill
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SomatoEmotional Release 2 (SER2), Intention, Inner Physician and Dialogue - Deepening Principles and Practice of Upledger CranioSacral Therapy in San Francisco, CA, 2023, instructor Chas Perry
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SomatoEmotional Release 1 (SER1), Full Range of CranioSacral Therapy Tools for Supporting Trauma Resolution in Loma Linda, CA, 2023, instructor Natalie Bledstein
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CranioSacral Therapy 2 (CS2), Moving Beyond the Dura for Assessing Acute and Chronic Conditions in Loma Linda, CA, 2022, instructor Kimberly Painter
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CranioSacral Therapy 1 (CS1), Assessment of Central Nervous System and Fascia for Full Body Treatment Protocol in Big Sur, CA, 2018, instructor Karen Axelrod
Visionary CranioSacral Work Training, Milne Institute, 2018
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Cranial 4 (C4), Developing the Inner Eye in Tuscany, Italy, 2018, instructor Hugh Milne
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Cranial 3 (C3), Practioner’s Skills: Sculpting the Conscious Medium in Tuscany, Italy, 2018, instructor Hugh Milne
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Cranial 2 (C2), Coupled Holds, Sacral Work and Unwinding in Ashland, OR, 2018, instructor Hugh Milne
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Cranial 1 (C1), The Foundation Cranial Class in Ashland, OR, 2018, instructor Hugh Milne
Ortho-Bionomy Training, Society of Ortho-Bionomy International, 2018
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Phase 5, Subtle Perceptions, Connections, and Healing in Berkeley, CA, 2018, instructor Sara Sunstein
Certified Massage Therapist (CMT), Certificate #76183, California Massage Therapy Council, 2018
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Completed Massage Therapist Certification with California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC), passed MBLEX Examination
Massage Therapy Program Graduate, McKinnon Body Therapy Center, 2016-2018
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Completed 800+ hours of training via McKinnon Body Therapy Center's Massage Therapy Program with a focus on Craniosacral Therapy, and additional study in Trauma Informed Touch, Deep Tissue, Swedish Massage, Shiatsu, Acupressure, Tui Na, Myofascial Release, Western Cupping, Reflexology, Body Mechanics, and Touch, Health and Common Conditions (working with special populations)
REIKI, the Usui System of Natural Healing Training, Usui Shiki Ryoho, 2016
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Second Degree, San Francisco, CA, 2016, instructor Christopher Tellez
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First Degree, San Francisco, CA, 2016, instructor Christopher Tellez
Philosophy
CranioSacral Therapy & Bodywork can bring us into a fuller state of empowerment over our health, a deep sense of embodiment, and a greater connection to our whole Self. Kiva's practice is client-focused and honors the body's inner wisdom and its importance, and she takes great care to listen to you so she can best support you and your unique needs. With a philosophy of communication, consent, comfort, and attunement, Kiva helps her clients access deep rest and restoration from which they can reconnect to their inherent health, inner wisdom, and joy of life.
