The wellness industry, a dynamic and ever-evolving field, is shaped by the vision and dedication of numerous leaders. These individuals, driven by a passion for holistic health and well-being, are transforming how we approach physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness. From groundbreaking researchers and innovative practitioners to influential educators and inspiring advocates, these leaders are pioneering new approaches, challenging conventional wisdom, and empowering individuals to take control of their own health journeys.
Dr. Cloe Couturier (Developer of CranioSacralQigong) is a specialist in combining European Osteopathy, Upledger CranioSacral Therapy, and Medical Qigong. She is developing the teaching methods for CranioSacralQigong, a unique integration of medical Qigong and Craniosacral therapy.
Moreover, Dr. Cloe has navigated industry stereotypes that questioned women’s mental and emotional strength, particularly prevalent earlier in her career. She also addressed challenges related to accessing funding and resources to develop her business, ultimately overcoming these obstacles by demonstrating the impact of her work and cultivating strong support networks. These experiences contributed to her resilience and ability to handle future challenges.
A Quest for Holistic Wellness
Dr. Cloe’s journey in the wellness industry began with a profound, transformative experience in her early twenties. This experience, achieved through meditation, fasting, and self-isolation, revealed to her the core intelligence of her body’s innate healing force. She felt an undeniable message that her life would be forever changed, and that she was destined to become a master in her field.
Subsequently, Dr. Cloe was invited to work with elders in a retirement facility, even without formal training. She found success in guiding them through gentle breathing and movement, drawing on her own developed understanding of the body’s wisdom. This early work reinforced her belief in the power of integrated healing.
A pivotal moment occurred when her son, Dorian, was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Faced with limited options from Western medical doctors, Dr. Cloe embraced a path which led her to teachers who would help her further follow, understand and potentialize the healing process. Driven by a deep desire to help her son, she sought out science-based lineages and trusted mentors.
This pursuit led her to study craniosacral therapy, eventually training directly under John Upledger, the developer of craniosacral therapy of, and also with renown medical Qigong masters. She steadily continued her family practice while studying these disciplines. Recognizing their similarities and the importance and the validity of this integration progressively led her to manifesting the evolution of medicine: into the fusion of the most advanced Western medical science, osteopathy, followed by craniosacral works, with the ancient treasures of Eastern Chinese Energetic medicine, Medical Qigong, Dr. Cloe’s approach emphasizes the importance of teaching integrative health.
Combining her personal insights with the knowledge gained from her teachers, this journey ultimately led to the development of CranioSacralQigong, a practice rooted in her commitment to holistic, integrative health, wellness and healing.
Beyond Prognosis
Faced with a prognosis of a shortened lifespan for her son, Dorian, Dr. Cloe refused to accept the limitations presented by conventional medicine. She was determined to find valid and effective healing methods, guided by her faith and inner knowing. Dr. Cloe dedicated herself to finding and diligently following the teachings that resonated with her, seeking out credible teachers and lineages.
Through these efforts, she brought Dorian to those who could help, and he experienced a significantly improved quality of life, far exceeding the initial expectations. Dorian lived a fulfilling and largely independent life, effectively doubling his projected lifespan. Dr. Cloe continued to follow these healing practices, while developing a strong family practice at the Upledger Clinic and maintaining her commitment to them even after Dorian’s passing in 2018. She practiced at the Upledger Clinic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, for 24 years. She then moved into her own clinic, in North Palm Beach, Florida.
The Mind-Body-Spirit Connection
Dr. Cloe explains that the core philosophy of CranioSacralQigong centers on empowering individuals to understand and cultivate their health and well-being through Qigong practice. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit, encouraging individuals to take responsibility for their health rather than relying solely on external interventions.
CranioSacralQigong integrates the gentle manual component and subtle awareness of craniosacral therapy with the Qi, energy access through the cultivation of Qigong. This combination promotes and amps-up the effectiveness for the identification and release of personal blocks and restrictions, while activating the flow of vital energy, or “Qi, Chi .” Dr. Cloe stresses the importance that it is through consistent practice that we get to the cultivation of Qi, energy. The practice focuses on developing the body’s inherent wisdom and activating self-healing capabilities, facilitated by specific gentle movement and breath, and mindful attention to subtle energies.
“I am already mighty proud of all my current students and how well they are learning and evolving in all aspects of their lives, both personally and professionally. I am looking forward to the new ones that will also choose to study with me.”- Dr. Cloe Couturier
It encourages individuals to develop a greater proprioception, deeper sense of self, recognizing and releasing tension within the body and specifically, the craniosacral system—the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, which Dr. Cloe identifies as a core link to the body’s intelligence and its hydraulic system by the Cerebrospinal fluid flow. By addressing these restrictions, individuals can enhance their overall health and well-being, fostering a greater sense of self-awareness and self-reliance.
Evolving Perspective on Wellness
Dr. Cloe emphasizes that CranioSacralQigong aims to cultivate self-awareness, intuition and the sense of self in harmony, leading to improved health and well-being. This practice focuses on the cultivation of vital energy, or “Qi,” to prevent energetic depletion and address restrictions and dysfunctions such as depression and chronic issues arising from stagnant or blocked energy flow. She views it as a foundational practice, complemented by the support of a qualified CranioSacralQigong practitioner when necessary.
Dr. Cloe positions CranioSacralQigong as a form of medical Qigong, integrating modern wellness approaches like osteopathy and craniosacral therapy. She traces the evolution of these Western modalities, noting their development from the late 1800s with Osteopathy and through the 1980s with craniosacral therapy. She sees her work as a continuum of this evolution, integrating these relatively more modern approaches with the traditional practices of Qigong.
Dr. Cloe highlights the integrative nature of her practice, contrasting it with allopathic medicine’s fragmented approach. She stresses that both traditional Qigong and modern wellness modalities share an integrative perspective, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit, and with the environment.
Personalized Wellness
Recognizing the interplay of environment and habits, Dr. Cloe draws from ancient practices and scientific research to inform her contemporary approach to health. She emphasizes the importance of structure, function, and emotional well-being, bridging Eastern and Western medical perspectives. Her evidence-based Qigong programs are personalized, addressing mindfulness, stress reduction, and proper posture. She cultivates a collaborative environment with various healthcare professionals, integrating CranioSacralQigong into a holistic wellness model. With cultural sensitivity, she adapts traditional Qigong for modern lifestyles, with integrated Eastern-Western teachings, viewing it as a core practice for sustained health and disease prevention.
CranioSacralQigong: A Living Transmission of Integrative Health
Dr. Cloe Couturier published her book: craniosacralqigong Vol.1 Pathways to Consciousness Power. This book is fluid, intriguing, authentic, and sometimes poignant. It will move you to your core. In her book, Dr. Cloe develops the blog she started writing from 2009 to 2022 with more significant insights on what brought her to do her work and how she evolved with it. This book is the framework for the scientific evidence of the organic evolution, development, and progressive birthing of a new model for integrative health and medicine, which she has named, CranioSacralQigong.
“Evolving from my personal experience, this book is a conduit for conscious evolution. It carries an energy, aligned with age-old teachings that I’ve proven through practice.”- Dr. Cloe Couturier
Overcoming Gender Bias and Balancing Leadership
Demonstrating resilience, Dr. Cloe Couturier confronted gender bias, a challenge prevalent for women leaders, by establishing unquestionable credibility through advanced education, certifications, and her record of success. She actively cultivated mentorship relationships with prominent figures, including Dr. Effie Chow, a leading force in Qigong. Additionally, she exhibited unwavering determination in balancing her professional leadership with the complexities of single motherhood and the intensive care required for her son’s Duchenne muscular dystrophy, requiring meticulous time management and clear boundaries.
Dr. Cloe’s Strategy for Growth
Dr. Cloe Couturier prioritized creating a structured schedule that allocated dedicated time for work, family, and self-care, particularly to ensure her son Dorian’s well-being. This was essential for maintaining her effectiveness in her professional role while simultaneously managing the demands of her personal life.
She also built a robust support network, recognizing its importance in a potentially competitive environment. Dr. Cloe made a conscious effort to connect with other professionals and the wellness community through regular attendance at courses, networking events, workshops, and conferences. These connections provided resources, support, and a sense of shared purpose in helping others.
Authenticity as a Cornerstone of Wellness and Leadership
Dr. Cloe Couturier views personal growth as a process of refining one’s qualities, like polishing the facets of a diamond. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity in leadership, resisting the pressure to conform to external expectations. By sharing her unique perspective and experiences, she fosters genuine connections with clients, encouraging them to embrace their true selves on their wellness journeys.
Demonstrating the resilience, strategic networking, and authenticity, Dr. Cloe has maintained a balanced leadership and wellness space for herself, her family, and others. Furthermore, to complete her doctorate of medical Qigong, she conducted qualitative research, which, though not published for strategic reasons, took her to an advanced level in her field.
From Client Feedback to Practitioner Training
Dr. Cloe Couturier, while navigating the complexities of intellectual property protection in developing CranioSacralQigong, prioritized evidence-based practice. She meticulously tracked client progress through measurable outcomes, performance assessments, and detailed feedback. This feedback, along with extensive records of client success, demonstrated the transformative and lasting benefits of her method, including pain reduction and improved energy flow. She observed that clients who actively engaged in Qigong experienced significantly faster and more profound improvements, often developing leadership qualities. This led Dr. Cloe shifted her focus from direct client treatment to empowering dedicated students to become masters of CranioSacralQigong, ensuring the practice’s continued evolution and impact.
The Transformative Power of CranioSacralQigong
Envisioning a future where practitioners of CranioSacralQigong experience firsthand the profound health and empowerment it provides, both for themselves and their clients. This personal experience would enhance their practice and deepen their commitment to the method.
Dr. Cloe Couturier’s extensive over three decades practice, including 24 years at the Upledger Clinic, has attracted a diverse clientele. Over time, her practice evolved to focus significantly on families seeking integrative wellness solutions. She observed a pattern where treating one family member led to referrals from others, creating a family-centered practice. This allowed her to witness the transformative effects of CranioSacralQigong across generations.
She recounts stories of treating infants who, as they grew, continued to seek her services, demonstrating the long-term impact of her work. Dr. Cloe’s clientele spans a wide age range, including a remarkable 90-year-old client who exemplifies the benefits of consistent CranioSacralQigong practice. This client, who has maintained exceptional health and vitality, including active participation in golf and international travel, credits her well-being to Dr. Cloe’s work and her Qigong practice.
Dr. Cloe Couturier emphasizes that age is not a barrier to the benefits of CranioSacralQigong. She finds that dedicated students and practitioners, regardless of age, experience significant improvements in their health and well-being. She also mentions her success in treating golfers in Palm Beach, where she has practiced for nearly 30 years.
The Power of Practice
Dr. Cloe’s clientele reflects a broad spectrum, ranging from PGA golfers and musicians to elite athletes, all benefiting from CranioSacralQigong’s emphasis on dedicated practice. Her work has yielded remarkable transformations, including enabling students with ADHD to achieve athletic scholarships, demonstrating the profound impact of mind-body integration. Driven by strong word-of-mouth referrals and international recognition, she has transitioned from direct client care to educating future CranioSacralQigong practitioners. Consistent client reports of enhanced well-being and loyalty underscore the efficacy of her methods, which have fueled organic growth. Her journey highlights the organic development of expertise through dedicated practice, akin to the mastery achieved by musicians and athletes.
Strategic Collaborations and Certification
Recognizing mastery as a product of dedicated practice, Dr. Cloe Couturier has transitioned from direct client care to teaching CranioSacralQigong. She plans strategic collaborations to expand her reach while protecting her intellectual property. Her goal is to establish online certification, empowering practitioners who, through personal experience with the method’s transformative benefits, will become ambassadors and educators. This will foster a collaborative learning environment and advance the broader understanding of wellness.
The Evolutionary Path
Dr. Cloe’s approach to growth within the Wellness sector is rooted in organic evolution. She believes that a deep understanding and mastery of CranioSacralQigong naturally guides practitioners to new levels of influence. This involves embracing the flow of evolution and adapting to the needs of the community, fostering deeper connections with both practitioners and clients.
She emphasizes a “go with the flow while leading” philosophy, encouraging practitioners to cultivate their “chi” rather than wasting it, and to follow a path grounded in science and time-tested lineages. Dr. Cloe encourages aspiring women to nurture their energy, plant healthy seeds, and remain true to their values and integrity to make a meaningful impact in the Wellness community.
Dr. Cloe Couturier offers guidance for practitioners, urging them to stay focused on their goals, practice self-compassion, and prioritize simplicity. She stresses the importance of diligence, honesty, and virtue in building trust. Through CranioSacralQigong, practitioners develop a cohesive mind, health, and spirit, becoming well-rounded individuals capable of making a significant impact in the Wellness field.
