Most Frequently Asked Questions — 1st Course: the Etheric Body

Updated2026-03-13

Question about the Vital Rhythm
“I have a question about the vital rhythm. I can’t seem to grasp the wave moving along the spine. It turns into guesswork: sometimes I feel a spiral-like wave around the spine, other times a sensation along the back of the spine itself, but I can’t catch the rhythm—I’m not sure whether I’m sensing it or imagining it. What is your rhythm like?”

This process requires time and the activation of your primary tool—attention. The exercises, methodologies, and practices unfold gradually, much like a homeopathic remedy, working through small, consistent steps. Their effect will manifest—if not today, then tomorrow—and the timing depends solely on you. It is important to allow this process to happen and to let go of expectations. Learn to trust your sensations. Practice every day, even if only for 15 minutes. Quantity will transform into quality.
After completing the first course, students are encouraged to continue exercises focused on sensation and attention. The manuals and club sessions are designed to support you in this process. The key is consistent practice, and with it, you will certainly succeed.
It is essential to enter the correct state—a state of deep relaxation, similar to a trance. You must let go of attention to external distractions (which differ for everyone) and which often seem to intensify precisely when you sit down to meditate. At this moment, you must decide that nothing in the world is more important than the practice. Everything else can wait. This understanding does not come immediately; it often requires the conscious engagement of willpower. It is precisely then that results begin to appear.
If we draw an analogy with the movement of a wave along the spine, attentive listening to yourself allows you to perceive subtle vibrations. There are three distinct rhythms: the breath, the heartbeat, and the spinal wave. All of this unfolds within you—your energy and your vital rhythm.

“During meditation, we focus on the breath—observing how the air fills and leaves the chest, that is, concentrating on the movement of the chest. But if you habitually breathe with the abdomen, using diaphragmatic breathing, should you change your breathing during meditation from diaphragmatic to chest breathing? And if the breath naturally occurs through the abdomen, should your attention be directed not to the chest, but to the movement of the diaphragm instead?”

There are three main types of breathing: chest breathing (which engages the muscles of the upper chest), lateral breathing (in which the ribs expand sideways, most often during physical activity), and abdominal breathing. In meditation, the focus is on the process of breathing itself—and here everything is individual, because we are all different.
If diaphragmatic breathing is natural for you, then it is your innate vibration. The vital rhythm is your individual signature, and there is no need to change it.
Place your attention on the abdomen rather than the chest if this feels natural, does not create tension, and does not distract you during practice. The way the breathing process unfolds is individual for each person. What matters most is perceiving the vibration of the breath—its rhythm and frequency.

“I find it difficult to clearly perceive my heart rhythm. I sense the breath easily, and the spine even more distinctly, but the heartbeat itself is felt only with great effort. What should I do?”

The heartbeat is a continuous process. What we perceive as the “sound” or “presence” of the heart’s activity is the sensation of pounding or knocking that may resonate in the head, the ears, or be felt as a strong beat in the chest—this is what is commonly understood as the heartbeat. For a healthy person, a normal heart rate is approximately 60–90 beats per minute, and in a true state of rest the heartbeat is usually not consciously perceived.
A calm, deeply restful state is extremely rare in modern life. More often, we exist under constant physical and mental strain, which makes the heartbeat more noticeable. From a scientific perspective, a heartbeat is a single cycle of cardiac activity—contraction followed by the ejection of blood. In everyday language, however, the term “heartbeat” usually refers to a loud or strongly perceived action of the heart.
A barely perceptible or quiet heartbeat is simply a physiological characteristic. Try adding a small amount of physical activity before meditation—for example, 5–10 squats, or several cycles of engaging the entire body by tensing and then fully relaxing it (three times). This will shift the heart into a more noticeable mode of activity. Alternatively, place your fingers on areas where large blood vessels lie close to the surface—behind the knee, on the wrist, or on the neck—to feel your pulse. Your attention will register these vibrations, and over time it will become much easier to evoke them simply by directing your awareness toward the heart.

“Is it normal for back pain to appear several hours after practicing the 1st Basic Course?”

It is quite possible that you had pre-existing back issues—if not overt, then latent. It is worth reflecting on this and observing your condition over time. If this has occurred more than three times, it can already be considered a consistent pattern. When one begins practices aimed at healing, recovery, or overall well-being, improvement often unfolds through a phase of temporary exacerbation, sometimes accompanied by discomfort or pain; without this stage, genuine improvement is unlikely. During the exercises, we consciously direct our attention to specific areas of the body—the spine and internal organs—and by doing so, we channel energy there (where energy flows, blood follows).
Negative emotions, existing as energy-informational markers in the Astral body, if left unresolved for a long time, are projected onto the Etheric body and beyond. Over time, they intensify and become more deeply embedded, attracting similar information and energy, and eventually descend to the physical level, where they manifest as pain or illness. This is why we begin to sense discomfort in the areas of the body where these markers are located.
When working with the Etheric body, the overall level of energy increases, and we essentially push out markers that have not yet deeply integrated into the tissues of the Etheric and Astral bodies, bringing them to the physical level. For those who continue practicing, this phase passes: the condition stabilizes, overall well-being improves, and health is restored.
Practices such as chakral breathing or chakral activation help restore the energetic structure. It is advisable to pay close attention to the chakral structures located along the spine—particularly in the area of the back where pain is present, or in adjacent regions.

“Why do we begin the harmonization of the subtle bodies with the second chakra, Svadhisthana, rather than the first, Muladhara?”

The Muladhara chakra is activated by the Vital Rhythm, which is directly connected to the physical body. The physical body itself is an energetic system, and when currents are directed through it via the Muladhara chakra, this center becomes powerfully activated—the Earth element amplifies the incoming energy. In such a state of energetic influx, true harmonization becomes impossible.
Since the Muladhara chakra is responsible for overall health, and the Vital Rhythm governs life energy, filling the body with the Vital Rhythm automatically activates Muladhara. For this reason, there is no need to deliberately saturate it with the currents during harmonization. Consequently, in all meditative practices, we begin our work with the Svadhisthana chakra.

“How can one tell whether these are genuine sensations or merely mental images—whether one is truly sensing something or simply imagining it?”

All mental representations—whatever we choose to call “sensations”—are connected to the functioning of the Etheric Body only when, while the physical body remains completely still, a subtle sensation of the performed movements arises.
The physical body continuously generates biological energy, which manifests as the Etheric Body existing in constant conjunction with the physical form. The Etheric Body is capable of transmitting information; it can be consciously guided, and through it we can determine the class of sensations with which we will be working. Before this becomes possible, however, it must be brought under conscious control and freed—made independent of the physical body. In other words, the sensations of the Etheric Body must be clearly separated from those of the physical body.
The signals of the Etheric Body are far more subtle than those coming from the sensory receptors of the physical body, which tend to drown them out. Moreover, many energy–informational disturbances are localized precisely within the Etheric Body. Once mastery of the Etheric Body is achieved, working with and resolving these disturbances becomes relatively straightforward.

“Is it possible to feel the wave moving upward along the spine but not downward? Or does this mean that I am activating it incorrectly? And how should it be connected to the breath? For example, during one inhalation I can perceive several heartbeats, but this does not seem to work with the spinal wave.”

Yes, this is entirely possible. At the initial stages, the spinal wave may not be felt consistently, not along its entire length, and only under particularly favorable conditions. In meditation, try guiding an energetic sphere along the whole spine—slowly moving it from bottom to top and then from top to bottom, circling each vertebra. Alternatively, imagine immersing each vertebra into the “cauldron” of your attention, or gently sensing it with your etheric fingers until clear perception arises.
There is no need to synchronize the rhythm of the heart or the spinal wave with the rhythm of the breath. These are distinct rhythms, individual vibrations. When they are observed simultaneously, one may notice how they gradually merge into a single, unique rhythm—the vital vibration.

“Could you please clarify which technique is meant when, during the harmonization of the subtle bodies from the base state of “I Am,” the Etheric Body is augmented through an “anchoring movement”? What exactly does this involve, and where does it belong within our system of practices—is it part of the existing methodology, or a separate technique?”

The anchoring movement is a specialized technique taught in the seminar “Augmentation of the Etheric Body.” It is performed at the moment when the Etheric Body reaches the peak of its energetic expansion and fullness. The method is based on specific ideomotor movements through which the Etheric Body can rapidly and efficiently supply consciousness with the maximum possible volume of energy in a very short period of time. This heightened state of the Etheric Body is then “anchored” to a particular movement of the physical body.
Later, during the harmonization of the Etheric Body, performing this anchoring movement leads to further augmentation: the Etheric Body becomes more compact, more powerful, and, as a result, even more sensitive.

“After classes and practices of the 1st Basic Course, a subtle aroma of baked goods sometimes appears in the room—only in the area where I practice. Recently, it even smelled of pine. Has anyone else experienced something similar? What might this be connected to?”

Since the first course is devoted to working with sensations, the effects of the practice are most clearly observed through changes in one’s own sensory perception. In your case, this manifests through the sense of smell. For many others, it appears as tactile sensations associated with changes in bodily perception.
This indicates that you are genuinely working through processes in the Etheric Body. The emergence of scent in your perception serves as a marker of a positive outcome and effective progress in the practice.

“The 1st Course curriculum includes a wide range of exercises—such as the development of sensations, work with the Etheric Body, chakral cleansing, and more—as well as seminars (Totem, energetic damages, etc.). Completing the entire program can take up to five hours a day. Which practices should be performed on a regular basis, and how often should they be repeated? And if a student has completed the course and moved on to subsequent levels—each with their own exercises and seminars—how can everything be integrated without losing the level already achieved?”

We move from the simple to the complex. At the initial stage, the primary task is to establish and stabilize the required state; further work is carried out as needed. Once you begin practicing, everything gradually falls into place, and relevant questions arise naturally.
It is impossible to lose the level you have attained. The core, foundational meditation is indispensable: it must be mastered and is practiced in every course, at every session, and with every entry into the state of “I Am.” Therefore, consistent practice is essential—the more you practice, the better.
It is important to complete all the mandatory steps of the 1st Basic Course, to master them properly and to obtain clear, tangible results. The techniques are practiced during seminars and then applied as needed; they do not require constant daily repetition, provided the homework has been completed and results have been achieved. Some seminars and steps do not require ongoing repetition at all—for example, the search for one’s Totem. Many techniques are extended over time: they unfold and take effect gradually, with each individual having their own pace of consciousness transformation.
Exercises and practices from the 1st Course that were learned in seminars are performed according to personal choice and necessity. Every technique you have acquired—whether in seminars or in the basic courses—is a tool at your disposal. Over time, you learn to use these tools skillfully and apply them when needed—whether in one year, two years, or even five years later.

“My hands have begun to activate on their own, without conscious intention. How can I learn to switch this activation off or reduce the vibration—also through attention, as with activation? Or should my attention be redirected elsewhere?”

Yes, it is important to learn to consciously control both the activation and the deactivation of vibration, using the same tool—attention.
If the hands activate spontaneously, redirect the energy either to areas of the body that require support or distribute it throughout the Etheric Body. You may first form an energetic sphere and then guide it to the desired area, or direct the energy through the Svadhisthana chakra, allowing it to spread evenly across the entire surface of the Etheric Body.

“All three rhythms are clearly perceived, yet questions arise when they “collapse” into a single vital rhythm. At that moment, awareness of both the spine and the breath seems to fade, and the entire body begins to pulse intensely in the rhythm of the heartbeat—is this normal? Even the spiral movement along the spine appears to synchronize with the heart rhythm.”

Everything you are experiencing is normal for you. We are all at different stages of the evolution of consciousness, and the connection with one’s own “I Am” is likewise individual and shaped by many factors. These include the age of the soul, one’s purpose, the existential volume of the soul in this incarnation and in past lives, the ability to listen to and trust oneself, individual sensitivity and innate nature, the capacity to interact with the external world and understand its laws, the level of consciousness, and the extent to which it is free from the constraints and dogmas of cultural and social conditioning, among many other factors.

“Since the day I began working with the textbook, my sleep has changed: I wake up almost every night around two o’clock and am unable to fall back asleep afterward (previously, I had no issues with sleep). What might this be connected to?”

As you work with the Etheric Body, the amount of energy in the physical body increases. When the body holds more energy, one’s overall state changes, and daily rhythms—such as sleep and eating patterns—may shift accordingly. This is not unusual; many students experience similar changes, and these patterns may continue to evolve over time.
Much depends on how you interpret what is happening: whether you perceive it as “disrupted sleep,” or as an increase in energy and the release of time for other activities.
The period between three and five in the morning is considered particularly favorable for practice, reading, journaling, creative work, and similar pursuits.

“I barely sense my Etheric Body—only my palms. As a result, I am not yet able to properly perform the exercises from the second lesson that involve movement and the projection of the Etheric Body. Should I continue practicing these exercises and meditations before clear sensations appear? And what if they never do? Does it make sense to begin developing awareness of the craniosacral rhythm now (which I also do not yet feel) and to work on the base state in general, or is it better to do this only after achieving results with the Etheric Body?”

We always move from the simple to the complex. Do not neglect spending time practicing with the energies that are felt least clearly. Once results appear, you can gradually make the methodology more complex.
Accordingly, your initial task is to develop a clear perception of the craniosacral rhythm. After that, proceed to working with the vital rhythm—its sensation will not take long to manifest if all three of its components are perceived and consciously recognized. Next, you refine the practice of entering the base state, learning to distinguish and sustain the currents of Sky and Earth. Only after this do you move on to harmonization. With regular practice, results will come fairly quickly.
As for the craniosacral rhythm, not everyone is able to perceive it vividly and distinctly right away. Much depends on the condition of the spine. If there are injuries, osteochondrosis, or other structural issues, working with this rhythm will require more time.

“If one is already practicing filling the body with energy that includes a specific component (for example, sunlight), does it still make sense to practice simply filling the body with attention? Or are these different practices that complement one another?”

There is an essential distinction between the practice of filling the body with attention and the practice of filling the body with a component. The component itself can vary in its content and is by no means limited to sunlight. It is important to understand that whatever we introduce into meditation in addition to attention and energy is information. When information interacts with energy, it produces different results and effects.
These effects manifest differently in each individual consciousness. At this stage of practice, the practitioner’s task is to consciously observe and distinguish between pure energy and energy that carries information—to understand how, in a given practice, information changes the energy: its quality, its content, and its direction.

“The 1st Course, Day 3: when I attune to vital attention and activate the spine, my entire body is suddenly flooded with heat. I begin to sweat, my face becomes moist, my whole body feels as if it is burning, and I experience strong internal pulsation—even though the room is cool. What does this mean? What is happening to me?”

Filling the body with attention draws energy into it. Where attention goes, energy follows.
This can be compared to a hand that has gone numb from being held in one position for too long: blood flow is restricted, sensitivity diminishes, and the hand becomes cold—sometimes to the point where movement is impaired. When normal circulation is restored, the hand and fingers begin to pulsate and warm up; they may even ache intensely for a time until full circulation returns.
The same principle applies to practices of filling the body with attention. If the body and consciousness previously did not receive sufficient attention and energy, they resemble those numbed fingers. It takes time and consistent practice to bring them into a state that will become normal for each individual.
The practices of the first course are only the very beginning of the journey toward oneself.

“How much time should pass after completing the initial days of the first course before attending the seminars on Augmentation of the Etheric Body and Correction of Prenatal Development?”

Immediately—there are no restrictions. These seminars are the next mandatory steps following the Basic Course. Prolonged breaks are not recommended. It is best to proceed with them right after completing the course, while the energy activated by the practices is still at its peak.

Which specific practice should be performed for 21 days?

After completing the four days of the 1st Basic Course, the following practices should be performed daily for 21 days:
Vital rhythm.

Filling the body with attention and vital vibration.

Entering the base state of “I Am.”

Chakral activation. This technique is taught on Day 4 of the Basic Course and should be performed while holding the Matrix in your hand. Once the Matrix has been charged, there is no need to recharge it after each chakral practice—it will naturally attune to you during the work.

Recharging the Matrix is required only in the following cases: after a prolonged period of not using it in practice; if it has been touched by another person (your own children under the age of 5–7 are excluded); if an error was made while working with the buttons.

“Is it possible to meditate while lying down?”

At the initial stages, it is important to follow the School’s recommendations. You need to learn to sense and consciously control both the body and the consciousness. In addition, the lying position carries a strong temptation to fall asleep. With experience and consistent practice, once these skills are fully developed, you will be able to meditate in virtually any conditions and in any posture. For now, however, there is no need to rush.

“Is it necessary to spend so much time each time entering the required state? As one progresses through all the steps of the 1st Basic Course, the ability to enter the required states naturally becomes faster. Is it advisable to accelerate this process, or is it better to adhere to the pace established during the classes?”

Human consciousness is a complex, multi-layered system operating at specific frequencies. Like any structured system, it has an optimal tempo for its energy-informational processes.
To achieve proper synchronization of attention with these processes, it is essential to follow the rhythm recommended by the Menshikova School’s methodology.
The immersion may be made slower and more prolonged—this will only be beneficial. However, the process should never be artificially accelerated.

“I do not feel the waves of the spine. Does this mean that the vibrations experienced during the unification are not sensations of the vital rhythm, but merely a combination of breathing and heartbeat? These vibrations do not evoke emotions and may change during meditation.”

If you do not feel the spinal wave, this in no way means that it is absent or that the spine is not “breathing.” This is a region of the body where attention is initially unable to perceive or track the processes occurring there.
The sensation will come with practice, and that practice must be consistent and ongoing. It is also recommended to work with the physical spine through supportive methods such as exercises, massage, and physical therapy.

“During the practice “Augmentation of the Etheric Body,” I experienced pronounced dizziness at the moment of anchoring. What could this be related to?”

Dizziness experienced by students at the initial stage of practice may occur when an unusually large amount of energy enters the body and consciousness—more than they are accustomed to processing. This condition is alleviated through consistent practice: regular meditation, entering the base state, and learning to maintain it. Sustaining the base state is further supported by working with a charged matrix.
Breathing through the chakras is also highly beneficial. With regular practice, consciousness gradually adapts to receiving a greater amount of energy.
After completing the first course, it is recommended to enter the axis of consciousness as often as possible and to consciously master this skill.

“Can the vital rhythm change completely? After three days of practicing the base state of “I Am,” my sensations changed. What were once pronounced sensations (goosebumps, tingling) have become much subtler and harder to perceive. It feels like something soft, warm, and in constant motion. The currents are no longer distinctly felt—can this happen?”

Human consciousness has a tendency to respond to everything new with strong emotion and vivid intensity. Over time, however, what was once “new” becomes familiar and ordinary—that is, it becomes the norm. Your impressions after the first steps of working with your consciousness and with the structure of your soul are also influenced by this factor of novelty. This does not mean that effectiveness is decreasing. It only means that, as the work continues, your response changes and consciousness begins to perceive this state as normal.
The currents with which we saturate the crystal of the soul do not act instantly, nor do they reconfigure consciousness overnight. Work with the axis of consciousness—the “I Am”—runs through all courses of the Main Department, and it is not bypassed in the additional departments either. The methodology is built on the principle of moving from simple to complex. The energies gradually saturate the axis of consciousness, and it begins to manifest.
At first, you start to reflect and to ask yourself questions. Later, at the advanced levels, having accumulated energy and acquired knowledge, you begin to resolve these questions—changing yourself and the surrounding environment. The most important thing is not to stop.

“Could you please explain the importance of the secondary chakras? Are they related to a person’s physical health, and how important is it to work with them?”

Everything that consciousness contains is related to a person’s physical health—all subtle planes, their condition, and the movement of energy through them.
At our School, in the first course of the Main Department, there is a seminar called “Chakral Breathing.” The fourth day of the first Basic Course is also devoted to becoming acquainted with the chakral structure of consciousness, both in theory and in practice. However, this topic is very extensive, and for that reason it has been developed into a separate seminar.

“When working with the state “I am as I am,” a formulation of my self-organization / form — “азъ єсмъ” (azŭ esmŭ)” — consistently emerges from the Atmic realm, while the form “I am as I am” is rejected. At the same time, I perceive the form “azʺ …” as a higher and more complex development arising from the state of “I…”. I kindly ask you to describe the difference between these two distinct forms of being.”

Ksenia Evgenievna’s response regarding this question:
“Azŭ esmŭ” is an Old Church Slavonic form. We do not use it, because its application immediately attunes consciousness to the Orthodox religious egregore.
“I am” is a form that has been used for many centuries in magical invocations. It is firmly embedded in magical and occult grimoires. Over time, it has become a generic formula for defining oneself as a free individual rather than a servant or slave. Centuries of use have made this letter combination a universal formula for entering the Atman.

“During the vital rhythm practices, not everything is clear to me in terms of sensations. With the spinal rhythm, I realized that it is the most difficult for me to perceive. However, when I fill the body with attention and reach the face and nose, I begin to feel movement. It is as if a sphere transforms into a line, or a line gains volume and begins to move actively, as though accumulating mass. All of this moves along the trajectory of infinity—an inverted figure eight. I feel it above the upper lip and up to the eyes; these sensations arise as if inside the face, and the center of this “infinity” seems to pass through the nose. I am constantly afraid to let go of this sensation, because without control it increases and accelerates in amplitude. What could this be?”

Judging by the symptoms you describe, it can be assumed that there is no full exit into the Atman. Energy is flowing out through the crown chakra in a limited amount. You mention that you are afraid to let go of this process—what is this fear connected to? Enter this state once again and try to capture the image, the word, or perhaps a phrase or specific sensation. In other words, identify the information that gives rise to this fear of allowing the sensations to unfold fully.

“During the exercise of exiting the Etheric body, we are instructed to assume the role of the observer, while the Etheric body itself becomes the acting agent. The observer maintains control over the process. A stronger and more stable effect is achieved when the assemblage point is lowered—that is, when it is shifted into the Etheric body. This raises a natural question: what is the correct mode of perception? Should one observe the Etheric body from the standpoint of the physical body’s consciousness, as if watching a film? Or should one place consciousness within the Etheric body itself—seeing through its “eyes” and even perceiving the physical body from the outside?”

When we speak of lowering or raising the assemblage point, we are essentially referring to a deliberate shift of the focus of attention along the vertical axis—upward or downward—toward the point of exit into the corresponding body, that is, toward the appropriate chakra.
In the first course, the primary task is to develop practical skills for working with the Etheric body. The point of exit into the Etheric body at this stage is the Svadhisthana chakra.
Accordingly, lowering the assemblage point means shifting the focus of attention into the Svadhisthana chakra and holding it there throughout the duration of the practice.
At this stage of education, it is also essential to cultivate the ability to divide attention among several simultaneous processes, ensuring that each receives an equal degree of intensity and depth. For example, all three components of the Vital Rhythm must be held in focused awareness at the same time. This capacity is developed through regular, sustained practice.

“After the lesson on Day 3 of the 1st Basic Course, I experienced intense nausea during the night—something entirely uncharacteristic for me. By morning, the condition had eased. Could this be a result of the practices, or am I doing something incorrectly?“

The symptoms you describe are associated with a spasm and with the rejection of something that is incompatible with your body and consciousness. This is not necessarily related to food; it may just as well be an inadmissible emotion or external vibrations that do not resonate with your consciousness. Only your soul—your axis of I Am—knows with absolute certainty the frequencies at which your consciousness is meant to operate.
You have activated the axis of consciousness, and the vibrations of your soul have begun to influence your consciousness and the entire structure of the subtle bodies. The currents of Sky and Earth are washing out of consciousness everything that does not correspond to you on a frequency level. In other words, a process of cleansing has begun.
It is quite possible that from this moment onward, changes will occur in your attitude toward the external world, your surroundings, your perception of information, and your relationships with others. Remain attentive to yourself and to everything unfolding around you—and continue your practice.

“While completing the 1st Basic Course, the first two of the four days dedicated to work with the Etheric Body proceeded smoothly. However, on the third day—during the meditation involving the raising of energy from the Earth’s core to the Atman, followed by receiving knowledge from the Atman and guiding it back through the body into the Earth’s core—I suddenly began to sob and cry. Is this a normal reaction?”

Yes, this is a completely normal response to the awakening of the axis of consciousness. You may regard these as tears of joy. At last, you have found yourself.

“During the 1st Basic Course, while building the axis of consciousness through the Tree, I encountered a small difficulty. I was able to anchor through the roots, and the current began to flow; however, as soon as I extended the branches toward the sky and Ksenia Evgenievna began speaking about kin, children, and related topics, the Tree seemed to collapse, and I clearly heard the phrase: “You don’t need this.” Please advise—what does this mean, and is there an alternative way to build the axis?”

There is no alternative way to build the axis. A human being is always anchored in two currents simply by virtue of being born on Earth. Before rejecting the power of the kin—the memory of those who brought you into being—it is necessary to first become acquainted with what you intend to reject. If you do not plan to have children or continue the bloodline, this has no direct relation to the manifestation of the axis of consciousness: “I Am as I Am.”
The difficulty lies in your fear of responsibility, which the kin may appear to impose upon you. This is merely an attitude—an emotional response to the very words “children,” “kin,” and so on.
You need to reflect on one key question: “You don’t need”—what, exactly?
Listen carefully to the first course once again. How is consciousness measured? And what is information within the space of the physical body?

“I would appreciate some guidance. I am unable to exit with the Etheric body as a whole. I can work with the legs, arms, and head individually, but the torso does not respond. Could you offer any recommendations?”

Try imagining your Etheric body separating only as a layer and moving through space. This will be experienced as a more expansive, integrated complex of sensations—not merely muscular tension within the body, but also a perception of space itself: the presence of a light source, smells, ambient temperature, and sounds. Do not attempt to see everything clearly with your physical eyes; perception in this case should occur through sensations.
The Etheric body never fully separates from the physical body or from consciousness as a whole. It is always a layer that can be shifted through focused attention to a specific point in order to perceive the environment through sensation. Moreover, this entire process is not three-dimensional but multidimensional. Just as with the Astral body and the other subtle bodies, none of them can simply stand up and move to another location—there is always a continuous connection within consciousness.

“It is often emphasized that all courses must be completed sequentially. What should be done if it is not possible to complete the second step of the 1st Basic Course—that is, the Augmentation of the Etheric Body—within the recommended timeframe? Is it possible to proceed with the third and subsequent steps and leave the Augmentation of the Etheric Body for later, as a final step? Or would such a disruption of the sequence significantly affect the overall process?”

After completing the four days as recommended above, the result is an activated, energized Etheric body. The Augmentation of the Etheric body serves precisely to consolidate the results of the work carried out during the 1st Basic Course. If this step is postponed, much of what has been achieved may dissipate, and the work would have to be rebuilt from the beginning.

“When guiding the etheric energy into the Earth, images and sensations of resistance may arise. It can feel as though one leg descends easily and swiftly toward the Earth’s core, while the other encounters obstacles along the way—such as layers of stone or solid objects. This requires maneuvering, effort, and conscious analysis of what is occurring. Could you please advise on how to approach this?”

This indicates that something within your consciousness is hindering a full connection with the Earth. These may be fears, beliefs, stereotypes, or ingrained patterns of perception. There is nothing frightening or irreversible about this; on the contrary, it is quite common. You have come to the School’s methods precisely in order to free your consciousness from such obstacles. Simply continue your work.
The Day 3 practice, “The Tree,” is recommended to be performed daily for 21 days.

“When pronouncing the phrase “I Am as I Am,” I experience a sense of dissonance. It is automatically perceived as masculine in form. I am accustomed to a different formulation—“I Am what I Am.” Is there a difference in meaning between these two expressions?”

Yes, there is a difference, and it is important to pronounce the phrase exactly as Ksenia Evgenievna does. The dissonance you are experiencing arises from habitual patterns and concretized, embedded constructs tied to emotions and bodily sensations. These are pre-existing programs, and there are many of them within us. However, all of them can be examined and adjusted in accordance with what is embedded in the essence of each soul.
To discover and manifest this essence, it is necessary to reach the I Am state at every level of consciousness—this is precisely the work of the Main Department. For this reason, it is recommended to repeat the practice consciously and reflectively for 21 days. Over time, the key phrase “I Am as I Am” will begin to resonate differently than it does now.

“From the very beginning of my self-study, during meditations guided by Ksenia Evgenievna’s voice—when we were instructed to fill the entire body with currents and energies—everything worked smoothly. However, I later began to experience difficulties visualizing my body with my eyes closed. This had never been an issue before, but it arose while working through the 1st Basic Course. It now feels as though nothing is working. How should I continue practicing if all the exercises appear to rely on visualization? Is it mandatory to perform the practices with closed eyes?”

What you are experiencing is a completely normal process of consciousness transformation, especially under the conditions that typically accompany beginners in any form of conscious work. There is no need to panic. These practices, new to you, can be understood as a process of becoming acquainted with yourself—however unusual that may sound. You are beginning to perceive yourself from a different perspective.
The primary tool in this work is ATTENTION. Visualization is not the main instrument; it serves only as a support. Do not try to see your body—focus instead on feeling every cell. This may require more time than originally recommended.
When filling the body with attention, begin with the toes. Try focusing on one leg first, then shifting your attention to the other leg, and then back again. Alternate your focus between one foot and the other. Once you can clearly distinguish them through attention, try holding both feet in awareness simultaneously. Then take a break and return to the exercise later. Continue in this manner, gradually moving upward through the body, expanding the volume of the body you are able to hold with attention.
This approach is particularly helpful at the initial stage, as it allows you to disengage the internal dialogue and consciously train your attention. Keeping your eyes open will only interfere, drawing attention outward and away from yourself. Everything develops through practice and experience. The most important thing is not to stop—because returning later is always more difficult.

“During one of the meditations, I began to shake quite noticeably. My body felt as though it was no longer entirely my own. When I focused on stopping the movement, I was able to steady myself; however, as soon as I shifted my attention back to maintaining the Vital Rhythm, the shaking returned. The impulse seemed to originate somewhere in the pelvic area. During the meditation, Ksenia Evgenievna mentions that “the body may begin to make micro-movements in rhythm,” but what if these movements are not micro at all? What if they are clearly expressed—almost as if one is gently dancing while seated? Is this a normal reaction? I was somewhat frightened by how distinctly I felt that I had lost control over my body, and because of this fear, I interrupted the meditation. What might this indicate?”

Ksenia Evgenievna’s response:
Shaking is a sign of transformation. It is a positive indicator—do not focus on it; it will pass soon.
By fully concentrating on your sensations and filling the body with attention and the vibration of the Vital Rhythm, you encountered new experiences. During this practice, the body may begin to sway, and blockages or areas of stagnant energy may start to release. The vibration of the Vital Rhythm enlivens and awakens the body, filling every cell with vital energy. This is a new experience that will continue to expand in your life with each subsequent practice.
“The unknown is what frightens a person most.” Everything that happens to you during practice—your sensations—is normal. Another person will have their own, entirely individual experiences.

“Why do certain fears diminish during the 1st Course – the Etheric Body?”

Because the axis of consciousness has been activated and is now functioning—the rightful governing center within the structure of consciousness. This activation brings inner confidence and strength, allowing fears and panic that were previously provoked by external factors to dissipate rather quickly.

“While performing the meditation on Day 4 of the 1st Course—the chakral breathing practice—I was suddenly interrupted halfway through, and my emotional state dropped sharply. I experienced a distinct inner heaviness, and it took considerable time to restore my internal balance. Could this reaction have been caused by the interruption of the meditation, or is this what was meant when it was described as a possible “attack”?”

This was both an external interference and an abrupt interruption of the practice. Reflect on why the person who interrupted you was able to disrupt your process so spontaneously, and consider what stands behind this external situation. Where, and in what, does the underlying cause lie? In such circumstances, the practice should be repeated from the beginning.

“Completing the “Chakral Breathing” seminar within the 1st Basic Course has raised several questions for me. I find it difficult to determine the direction of chakral rotation with certainty. Can this direction change over time? And could rotating a chakra against its natural direction cause any harm?”

The initial diagnostics of the chakras—their condition and direction of rotation—were intended to reflect their characteristics at the present moment. The Vital Rhythm, focused attention, regular practice, and observation are your primary tools in this process. Over time, these parameters may indeed change. In fact, our task is precisely to bring the chakras to an optimal mode of functioning, so that they operate fully and powerfully, both in reception and transmission.
The direction of rotation is always individual. Do not become fixated on it. These processes can be consciously influenced, but this already belongs to the realm of magical practices.
The most important point is not to attempt to forcibly change the direction of rotation. If a chakra rotates counterclockwise, allow it to do so—this reflects your inner nature and your particular way of interacting with the external world.

“After working through the “Chakral Breathing” seminar of the 1st Basic Course, a question arose. The meaning of increased Vital Rhythm in certain chakras is clear—but how can one understand why this occurs, what it signifies, and what should be done in response? And what does it indicate if, in some chakras, the Vital Rhythm decreases almost to zero?”

An increase in the Vital Rhythm at a particular chakra suggests that, for the sake of your health and for the fullest possible expression of yourself in life, it would be beneficial to engage in certain types of activity that correspond to the level at which that chakra has responded.
When the Vital Rhythm decreases almost to zero, there is no single, definitive explanation. This may reflect an individual reaction, your state at the time of diagnostic, or the fact that the chakra has not yet been sufficiently developed and requires separate, more sustained work. It may also indicate issues related to physiology or blockages within the subtle bodies at the level of that chakra. In all cases, the process is highly individual.
Ideally, the entire chakral system should function harmoniously—just as the body and consciousness should function in balance. When this alignment is achieved, life itself begins to unfold more smoothly. There is a direct relationship between the state of a chakra, physical health, and the level of consciousness at which that chakra operates.
By working with and strengthening the chakral system, we improve physical well-being, increase the chakras’ capacity to transmit energy, and allow energy to flow freely. As a result, we begin to perceive more information from the external world—specifically the information we need—process it effectively, learn to manage this process, and, in doing so, transform our reality. Where attention goes, energy follows.
Over time, all of this may change.

“After completing the “Chakral Breathing” seminar, I feel quite unwell. I have almost no energy—it lasts for only two or three hours at most, after which I must make a considerable effort just to accomplish even simple tasks. I constantly feel like sleeping or withdrawing somewhere quiet so that no one disturbs me. How should this situation be understood? And how often should the “Chakral Breathing” practice be performed?”

It is possible that your body is responding in this way to a restructuring taking place within consciousness. Fears may have surfaced, and the subconscious may have reacted with panic. If you have correctly identified the rotational speed at the intake and output of each chakra—as indicated by the strengthening of the Vital Rhythm during the second practice—then the “Chakral Breathing” practice serves as a diagnostic indicator of the state of your chakral system, your overall health (energy levels and resilience), the position of the assemblage point, and how rigidly it is fixed at a particular level in the present moment.
After completing the seminar, the expected effects include an improvement in overall health, the development of skills for shifting the assemblage point across different levels of consciousness—both vertically and horizontally—and a deeper understanding of yourself: your nature, the lifestyle and types of activity that support your health, your fullest self-expression, and a successful life.
Over time, as you continue with other practices and further work on consciousness, gaining new experience, these indicators may change. This stage can be viewed as an intermediate point—a starting position from which we move toward comprehensive development, the expansion of our range of capabilities, and the ability to draw energy and information from the external world at all levels to the fullest extent. By transforming this through consciousness and I Am as I Am, and returning it to the world, we change both ourselves and our reality.
As for how often to repeat the practice, this should be determined according to necessity and your own inner assessment.

“While working with the “Correction of the Prenatal Development” practice in the 1st Basic Course, during the diagnostic phase corresponding to the fourth week, I experienced a sensation as though I were being drawn into a vortex. By the fifth week, this effect had disappeared; however, a feeling of separation remained—as if my mother and I existed independently of one another. The moment of birth itself was not perceived. During the second half of the main meditation, in the phase associated with birth, breathing became impossible, as though something were exerting pressure or constriction. What might this indicate?”

These marks require further work during the same developmental periods, using the same method. It is necessary to release the attachments between the physical and etheric bodies that manifest as negative sensations—such as pressure, difficulty breathing, and a sense of separation from the mother—by consciously accepting and freeing the trapped energy. In this way, the prenatal developmental period is gradually corrected.
If your mother is still alive, you may ask her about what was happening in her life during those periods. Alternatively, understanding may come directly in the form of inner knowledge, revealing the underlying cause of your state at that time. As a rule, subsequent sessions reach deeper layers, and much does not reveal itself immediately. The information of I Am as I Am unfolds over time, as it becomes saturated with the currents and as the connection with it is restored—also through working with one’s fears in the subsequent course.

I am currently working through the “Correction of Prenatal Development” seminar via recordings. Please advise: should the energy-informational blockage be drawn into the axis through the Svadhisthana chakra, or can this be done at any point closest to the blockage’s location?

The seminar does not provide a mandatory recommendation to draw etheric blockages specifically through the Svadhisthana chakra. In this seminar, all work takes place within the Etheric body: you move forward, exit into the Etheric body through the Svadhisthana chakra, and continue working there while maintaining the axis.
It is important to note that we are all different, and each person needs to find the most effective way for themselves to work with blockages in the Etheric body. If visualizing the second chakra in front of you and drawing blockages through it proves helpful, this approach may also be used. Try different methods and observe which one produces the strongest effect. The key objective here is to achieve a result: to free the Etheric body, reclaim your own energy, and separate it from the information bound to it.
It may also be helpful to keep in mind that this work concerns your body from the moment of conception, when the mother’s cell and the father’s cell unite with the structure of the soul. At that stage, the physical and Etheric bodies are already present, while the other bodies are fully formed only after birth.

“What is the correct way to perform the practice “Correction of the Prenatal Development” if you have a history of your pregnancy with twins in which one fetus stopped developing?
Should the practice begin with both—attuning to both presences—and only later continue with one? And how much time should pass after completing the Correction with your mother before working with your own pregnancy?”

These practices are cleansing in nature, and their effects are not always felt immediately. It is important to repeat the work with your mother without simultaneously shifting your attention to your own pregnancy. Allow for a pause between practices—restore your strength, replenish your energy, and augment the Etheric body.
When you feel truly ready to work with your own pregnancy, proceed calmly and without haste. Begin the practice with both fetuses. The reality of how events unfolded will be revealed through your sensations. You will feel the moment when the second fetus stopped developing; from that point onward, continue the work with one.
Do not suppress your emotions during the process, and do not hold back tears. Allow everything to surface and be released. Be prepared for a temporary decline in strength afterward—this is a natural response, and recovery will follow.
If this stage proves too difficult, the practice from this seminar can be completed later as part of the work within the second basic course, when the emotional layers of that period of life have already been partially cleared.

“When working through your own pregnancy, should you express gratitude to yourself—and if so, what is the correct way to do this? Should it be addressed from yourself to yourself, or approached differently?”

Yes, you should express gratitude to yourself. Say, “I handled this.” Re-experience the process through bodily sensations, then consciously separate and integrate it: place the information into the axis of consciousness as lived experience, and release the energy into the space of the Etheric body.
This work also supports a deeper acceptance of your child as they truly are, rather than as you may wish them to be.

“While working through the practice “Correction of the Prenatal Period,” I find that I feel no sense of gratitude toward my parents. Instead, a recurring question arises: why was I brought into this world at all? In everyday life, I do not have an overt conflict with my parents, yet certain inner discrepancies remain. Please advise—how many times should this practice or cleansing be performed?”

Response from Ksenia Evgenievna:
Until a stable effect is achieved—until the inner tension truly releases. However, this will occur much faster if you reflect on the following. When people come into this world, they usually do not remember the reasons why they chose to incarnate again—or for the nth time—nor why they found themselves within the framework of this particular reality. Yet these reasons do exist. And if you were to recognize them now, frankly speaking, you would not find them pleasant.
Parents are, in a sense, the executors of your “sentence”—the agents through whom the cause is realized. If not with these parents, then with others; birth would have occurred regardless. The people who brought you here and gave you a human body are not, in essence, at fault. They are simply working through their own karmas and obligations. These may intersect with yours—or they may not.
The feeling you experience while moving through the prenatal period is, in fact, a feeling toward yourself. Under these circumstances, your parents serve as helpers—people who did everything they could to help you adapt to these conditions. They acted to the best of their ability, given that they were in the same position themselves: compelled, and without memory.
Try to move through this period focusing not on love, but on compassion—on empathy and tenderness toward your mother, on sympathy for her soul, which, like yours, found itself in conditions of total coercion and limitation. She was bound by the mission to bear and give birth to life and found joy and meaning within this, as she was unable to find joy or fulfillment elsewhere.
If you are able to pass through a state of empathy and understanding, awakening a sense of acceptance and love will become much easier.
When, in the fourth course, you begin working with karma, recall these experiences of rejection toward this world and attempt to uncover the deeper reasons for your birth here—in this body, in this family, and with such a strong inner resistance to the very fact of being here. Everything has its cause.

“I am working through the seminar on correcting prenatal markers using the recording, but I do not feel anything. I recall certain moments from my mother’s stories about her life and automatically fill the process with these memories—essentially constructing them mentally. However, during the meditation (diagnostic stage), I do not feel my own emotions, my mother’s emotions, or any sensations at all. How should I work with this?”

In this seminar, the primary focus is not on memories, but on sensations. It is bodily sensations that must be observed, as information—images, thoughts, and memories, both your own and your mother’s—comes only through them. Here, information merely confirms what is sensed; sensations themselves are primary. If you work solely with memories without experiencing sensations, or if you try to fit sensations to remembered material, the desired effect will not be achieved. When sensations are absent—as in your case—it is necessary to return to the practices of the first basic course.
Specifically, you need to practice filling the body with attention. This should be done daily for 21 consecutive days, without interrupting the process. Move your attention through the body slowly and evenly, feeling each cell without skipping or avoiding any areas. Maintain the same calm, unhurried pace throughout the entire body.
During this period, feelings of laziness, weakness, fatigue, irritation, pain, or the appearance of urgent distractions may arise. All of this must be consciously worked through and overcome.
After completing this work, return to the prenatal period. If everything has been done correctly—with trust in yourself and in your sensations—the time when you were held within your mother’s protection will begin to open through sensation. Your task is to accept everything that emerges with complete trust, as lived experience.

“While going through the practice “Correction of the Prenatal Development,” I anticipated something negative, as my mother had described her pregnancy and childbirth as a nightmare. However, during the practice itself, my consciousness revealed nothing of the sort—on the contrary, the experience unfolded calmly and smoothly. How should this be understood? Could this be the result of a prior agreement with myself? Is it possible that this experience did not surface because I am not yet ready to perceive it? Or is it simply that my expectations do not align with reality, as so often happens in life?”

It is possible that your subconscious has not yet opened this memory to you through sensations, and that returning to it at a later time—when you are stronger—would be appropriate. It is also possible that what was a nightmare for your mother was not experienced as such by you.

“The seminar “The Power of Your Totem” revealed five totems that resonate strongly with me. Is this possible, or should I look for what they have in common and unite them into a single image? Can a totem originate from regions with which I have never had any connection?”

In this practice, you identified your totem animals and plants through bodily sensations. Your individual vital rhythm served as the indicator, showing which animal, bird, tree, or other form resonates with you according to specific parameters. You recognized these qualities within yourself; in essence, they are your magical keys. Here, every detail matters—nothing is accidental. Each element is connected to another, every nuance carries meaning, complements the rest, and points to what unites them: which shared qualities they possess that mirror your own, and what you can learn from them.
Analyze these connections and draw your conclusions. A totem strengthens or protects its bearer. When you mentally recall the image of an animal—or contemplate it through a picture or figurine—you symbolically enter its natural space or establish a magical connection with it. Its qualities then become available to you: strength, agility, cunning, wisdom, speed, grace, resilience, caution, invisibility, assertiveness, flexibility, good fortune, focus, or even the ability to “change color.” This is deeply individual. Which of these qualities will help you not merely survive, but prevail?
If your lineage is ancient, it may have had one or several totem animals. However, there is no guarantee that these are the same ones that personally responded to you. To clarify this, information must be gathered—through archives, documents, family accounts, conversations with living relatives, and the study of family heraldry. If such totems existed, you will eventually discover them.
You may also establish contact with the founder of your bloodline using the methodology taught in the Power of the Bloodline sessions and pose this question directly.

“Can a non-existent or mythological being serve as a totem—for example, the Phoenix?”

This reflects a slight misunderstanding of the intent behind the seminar “The Power of Your Totem.” In this work, we explore the etheric space, where the sensations of all living beings that exist—or currently live—on this planet are present. Your soul has incarnated many times, and it is possible that in distant eras the Phoenix may have served as a totem for you or your lineage. It is also possible that the image of the Phoenix corresponds to an archetypal representation of another, similar being, which your mind associates with the Phoenix. In either case, this points to ancient memory rather than to present-day reality. Our task, however, is to find a helper who, as a representative of the etheric realms, can guide you through sensations in meditation and indicate which space is vibrationally and frequency-wise aligned with you now.

“What should you do if no sensations or responses arise while working through “The Power of Your Totem” practice?

This suggests that the Etheric body has not yet been sufficiently activated and that sensitivity is reduced. It is also possible that, during the meditation, a representative of the space that resonates with you was not specified clearly enough—much like an imprecise address. In this case, try independently introducing into the meditation the image of an animal, bird, or insect that feels close to you, and refine the practice for yourself by doing so.

“Can a totem animal or plant serve as a key to recognizing one’s God?”

Yes, it can. Across all mythological traditions, gods are closely associated with specific animals or birds. Do not dismiss this information—it may indeed serve as an important key.

“What does it mean if you have an allergy to your totem animal, and how can this be addressed?”

If the totem animal has been identified correctly, contact with it should enhance the vital rhythm. However, if an allergic reaction occurs upon contact, this most likely indicates a restriction on interaction with that animal—a prohibition operating at the level of the supraconscious. Further work using the methodologies of the School will help to clarify and resolve this issue.

“How effective is the 1st Course practice in addressing heart conditions?”

The practice is unequivocally effective. In the first course, we come into contact with our vital (life) rhythm and bring the body’s systems and organs into alignment with a state of health. Both the body and consciousness are nourished with life energy. This process requires time and sustained attention. Regular practice is essential—ideally 20–30 minutes daily rather than two hours once a week. The aim of the practice is to establish contact with oneself and return to one’s true nature. At our core, we are inherently healthy beings who, for various reasons, find ourselves in states of imbalance or ill health.
The pace at which results are achieved is highly individual. Each person is different, and attempting to predict recovery timeframes without accounting for individual characteristics would be misleading.
Patience, consistent action—through repeated practice until the desired result is achieved—and unwavering commitment to the goal are the foundations of success in this work.

FAQs

Most Frequently Asked Questions — 1st Course: the Etheric Body