The Art of Slow Touch
Somatic Awareness, Trauma informed Touch & Self Care Tools for Experienced Therapists by Katharina Erdl
4-5 March 2026 at Maruia River Retreat, Luxury Wellness Resort.
A 2-day, hands-on training retreat for massage and wellness therapists focused on nervous system regulation, safety in touch, and slow fascia-based techniques that support deeper client outcomes—while learning tools for sustained energy in daily practice.
Application required. Limited to 8 places.
Katharina Erdl is a highly-experienced massage therapist and the lead therapist for Maruia River Retreat’s wellness treatment programs for the last 5 years. She and Cristina have worked closely together for the wellness therapies for the Personal Restoration Retreats, which has awarded Maruia River Retreat as one of the World’s Most Extraordinary Spas for 2026 by Newsweek.
The Art of Slow Touch by Katharina Erdl
Somatic Awareness, Fascia & Trauma-Informed Touch for Experienced Therapists (15-hour training module)
What you’ll learn
This immersive training is designed for experienced therapists ready to refine presence, deepen somatic awareness, and explore slower, more attuned touch that supports clients experiencing chronic stress, shutdown, or ongoing tension patterns. This module is designed for wellness practitioners who want to elevate their spa and wellness treatments to the next level.
“A calm and Mindful Therapist translates to a calm and regulated client that wants to return over and over.” - Katharina Erdl
Who should attend:
Senior spa, massage, and bodywork therapists who are ready to refine their touch and sustain their practice;
Practitioners experiencing fatigue or early burnout;
Therapists supporting clients with chronic stress patterns;
Massage therapists seeking longer-lasting improvements for clients; and
Wellness practitioners who want to refine “slow, safe, effective” work
Not suitable for: complete beginners with no hands-on client experience.
Topics to be covered
Therapist self-care tools and energy management
Breathwork + vagus nerve regulation practices, including restorative yoga poses and breathwork exercises by Cristina Holopainen
Mindful touch + somatic presence (listening with your hands)
Creating safety through consent, predictability, pacing, and environment
Slow techniques that support healing on a cellular level through fascia and oxytocin release
Postural habits & energetic guidance for longer lasting therapist stamina and reduced physical discomfort
The training pillars
Self-Care & Energy Cultivation
Sustainable practice begins with the therapist. Learn strategies that reduce fatigue, protect your body, and support longevity.
Breathwork & Vagus Nerve Regulation
Practical tools to regulate your own nervous system—so you can co-regulate with clients more effectively.
Somatic Awareness & Presence
Refine sensitivity, pacing, and perception. Practice “doing less, sensing more.”
Creating Safety for Clients with Trauma
Consent language, choice, predictable pacing, and environmental cues that reduce threat and increase trust.
Slow Touch Techniques
Fascia-informed, slower methods aimed at long-lasting change—without forcing tissue or flooding the system.
Format and what’s included
A small-cohort of 8 students, practical training with guided practice, structured demos, and partner work. Expect a calm pace, strong boundaries, and high attention to safety and consent.
Included:
2 days of hands-on training: 930am to 530pm for 2 days and 14-contact hours + 1-hour post-training online group call/session.
Printed handout manual
Guided self-care and regulation practices
A retreat setting designed for rest, recalibration, and deep learning
Post-training group online session with Katharina Erdl
Pricing
NZD550 total for the Full-Course, including drinks and snacks. Add on: $60 for 2 gourmet lunches at the Retreat.
NZD990 total for the Full-Course, including 1-night full accommodation and meals at Maruia River Retreat, twin-share accommodation in a Luxe Villa with use of wellness facilities. Solo occupancy upon request. Only 6 spaces available.
To inquire or book, email reservations@maruia.co.nz.
What to bring
Comfortable clothing suitable for movement and for giving/receiving bodywork
Journal/notebook
Water bottle
Any personal snacks that support you
Note: This is a non-smoking event.
How to prepare
Arrive well-rested if possible
Reflect on your relationship to self-care in practice
Consider where your work currently feels effortful, draining, or unsustainable
FAQ
Is this a qualification or certification?
No. It’s an advanced, skills-based training retreat for experienced therapists.Do I need to be trauma-trained already?
No. The training teaches trauma-informed principles for touch—consent, pacing, predictability, and nervous system awareness—within a massage/wellness scope.Will I be giving and receiving bodywork?
Yes. You’ll participate in structured partner practice.Is there a pathway to resident spa opportunities after completing this training?
Yes, for therapists who align with our style of care and guest experience, this training may lead to a private conversation about future work opportunities.
About Katharina Erdl
Katharina Erdl is a massage and natural health practitioner with over two decades of experience in holistic therapies. Trained in Germany, she qualified in 2007 as a registered naturopath, medical herbalist, and massage therapist, and has continued to deepen her clinical skills through ongoing study and practice.
Her massage work blends therapeutic, relaxation, and hot stone massage with targeted modalities including myofascial release, gua sha, and cupping. Katharina tailors each session to the individual in front of her—balancing technique, pacing, and nervous-system awareness to support effective results and a safe client experience. Myofascial Release (MFR) is a cornerstone of her work, particularly for persistent pain patterns, posture-related tension, scar tissue, and longstanding injuries. She first trained in MFR in 2020 with Beth Beauchamp, Nelson of Fascia IQ, the leading Fascia Teacher in New Zealand and has been compelled to study more about ever since and added Fascial Unwinding in 2025 to her skill set.
In 2025 Katharina went to study Chi Nei Tsang (Abdominal Organ Detox Massage ) and Taoist Energy Medicine with Mantak Chia in Thailand which also deepened her own practice of energy cultivation through Qi Gong.
Katharina also offers holistic facials using certified organic products including her signature anti-aging facial massage that addresses lymphatic and muscular tension related signs of aging.
She is currently expanding her training in functional nutrition and is offering online holistic health coaching for women going through hormonal and digestive challenging times.
Katharina has been part of the wellness team at Maruia River Retreat for the past five years, supporting guests through restorative bodywork grounded in presence, care, and skilled touch. As the lead therapist, Katharina has been integral to making Maruia River Retreat one of the World's Most Extraordinary Spas for 2026 by Newsweek.