About Saskia Struik B.Ed
Be Free, The Way of Quiet Presence & Harmonic Attunement
I am a practitioner of quiet depth, subtle precision, and deep listening - to the body, the breath, the nervous system, the story beneath the story, and to the living wisdom that moves through humans and horses.
My work is the integration of multiple lineages, years of immersive study, many hours with horses and their people, and a lifelong devotion to understanding regulation, harmony, and relational presence.
It is also the natural expression of my own healing path - one that continues to shape the compassion, clarity, and steadiness I bring to every session.
My Multi-Lineage Foundation
My approach is woven from seven dedicated streams of study and apprenticeship:
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Taoist Inner Alchemy
Studied through the teachings of Gilles Marin (Chi Nei Tsang Institute) and Minke de Vos (Tao Alchemy Arts), with nearly a decade of Qigong and Taiji training under Danny Lay (Dharma-Zen Taiji Studio).
This lineage forms the heart of my work: inner cultivation, emotional alchemy, somatic awareness, and the embodied wisdom of stillness.
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Classical Shamanic Practice
Trained through the Foundation for Shamanic Studies (Michael Harner), taught directly by Wade Prpich.
This lineage contributes the cosmological understanding, journeywork ethics, and spiritual grounding that support all of my work.
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Reiki - Usui Shiki Ryoho
Received through the lineage of Kimberley Buckler.
This work supports energetic coherence, nervous system regulation, and a gentle return to balance.
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Acutonics ® & Sound Healing
Supported by the teachings of Theresa Lee Morris, Erin Taylor, and sound-bowl practitioner Jessica Armand, with ongoing blessings from Martha Birkett (transitioned elder).
These modalities offer vibrational alignment, resonance, and subtle energetic restoration.
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Equine Hanna Somatics ®
As an Educator (Level 1), I integrate neuromuscular re-patterning, functional ease, and somatic awareness into equine sessions.
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Equine Biomechanics & Gentle Training Arts
My work draws from:
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Masterson Method principles (MMCP, MMES)
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Straightness Training (Basic ST Instructor)
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Acupressure (Tallgrass)
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Biomechanics research and classical gymnastic principles
Each element supports the whole - helping horses find balance, suppleness, and ease.
How I Work
At the centre of everything I offer is Quiet Presence - a way of seeing, listening, and meeting another being without pressure, expectation, or force.
Whether working with a human or a horse, the intention is the same:
Ease first.
Softening first.
Harmony first.
Then the body, mind, and spirit naturally reorganize.
My sessions are not about “fixing,” but about opening the conditions in which restoration becomes possible.
I work relationally - with the whole being, the environment, the lineage field, and the moment itself.
What This Work Supports
Humans seek this work when they are experiencing:
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stress, overwhelm, or emotional fatigue
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difficulty grounding or regulating
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transition, loss, or life changes
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a longing for deeper inner connection
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subtle somatic or energetic discomfort
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a desire for renewed clarity and presence
Horses benefit when they need:
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somatic release
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improved posture or balance
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support during emotional or physical rehabilitation
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clearer communication with their human
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help unravelling stored tension or bracing
Quiet Presence & Harmonic Attunement
These two paths - Quiet Presence for humans and Harmonic Attunement for horses - are deeply interconnected.
When we find coherence, the beings around us feel it.
When a horse softens, we soften with them.
When a human finds quiet, the horse finds space to breathe.
This work lives in that shared field.
Walking My Path
My practice is grounded in years of study, lived experience, lineage guidance, and a commitment to continuous personal evolution.
Everything I offer comes from direct embodiment, not concept - from the work I have done within myself, with my teachers, and in the presence of horses.
You Are Welcome Here
Whether you are seeking personal healing, a deeper relationship with your horse, somatic clarity, or simply a quiet place to land - this work is here to support you.
Quiet Presence.
Harmonic Attunement.
A return to the essence of who you are.