Health and Safety Policy

Our legal commitment

Kanika meets its duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. As a small business, we focus first on the risks that could cause serious harm, in line with the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Act 2026, which takes effect on 1 April 2027. We take every reasonably practicable step to keep safe our team, practitioners, trainees, clients and anyone attending our events.

Kanika is complementary care

Kanika is a somatic healing modality. It does not diagnose, treat or cure any medical or psychiatric condition and it does not replace care from your doctor, midwife, psychologist or other health professional. Please continue any treatment you are receiving and keep your health professionals informed.

Before your first session

Every client completes an intake form before their first session. Please tell us if any of the following apply, so the work can be adapted or so we can suggest you seek medical clearance first:

• pregnancy
• heart or blood pressure conditions
• epilepsy or a history of seizures
• asthma or other breathing conditions
• osteoporosis, fractures, recent injury or recent surgery
• a current or past mental health condition, including psychosis, dissociation or a recent crisis
• any medication that affects your mood, heart, breathing or balance

We may decline or pause work where it is not safe or appropriate to continue.

During a session

• You lead. Nothing happens without your consent, and you can pause or stop at any moment.
• Breath is guided gently. If you feel dizzy, faint, tingling or unwell, we slow down or stop.
• Touch is consented. In person bone contact is explained before it begins and is never applied to intimate areas.
• Emotional release is welcomed and held. Strong feelings, tears or memories may surface. We move at the pace your system can integrate.

Distance sessions

For sessions held online, please:

• choose a private, quiet space where you will not be interrupted
• never join while driving or operating machinery
• have water nearby and allow time to rest afterwards
• give us your location and an emergency contact at the start, so we can reach help if needed

After a session

It is normal to feel tired, emotional or unusually clear for a day or two. Rest, hydrate and be gentle with yourself. If anything concerns you, contact your practitioner, and seek medical advice for any physical symptom that worries you.

If you are in crisis

Kanika is not an emergency service. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 111. For free support any time in New Zealand, call or text 1737 to speak with a trained counsellor. Outside New Zealand, please contact your local emergency service.

Workshops, events and retreats

For every in person gathering we:

• assess the venue and activities for hazards before the event
• ensure a first aid kit and a person with current first aid training are present
• share emergency and evacuation procedures at the start
• ask about allergies, dietary needs, accessibility and health conditions in advance
• give clear guidance and supervision for any outdoor, water or physically active experience

Practitioners and trainees

Every Kanika practitioner and trainee practitioner is expected to work within their training, screen clients appropriately, keep their workspace safe and clean, hold any first aid certification their setting requires, and refer clients to medical or mental health care when it is needed. Trainees work under guidance and supervision.

Reporting incidents

Please tell us about any injury, near miss or concern at [email protected]. We record every incident, learn from it, and notify WorkSafe New Zealand of any notifiable event as the law requires.

Review

We review this policy at least once a year, and after any significant incident or change in the law.