Conscious Movement, Regulation and Therapeutic Presence in the Aquatic Environment
Taught by:
María Alonso Fraile · Raquel López Paños · Elisa Muñoz Blanco
April 24–25, 2027 · Hospital Fundación Instituto San José, Madrid, Spain
15 hours accredited by Watsupath™ Training Institute and the Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association (W.A.B.A.) as part of the professional Watsu® training pathway
PRESENTATION
Ai Chi® is one of the most internationally recognised methods of therapeutic movement in water.
Created by Jun Konno through the integration of principles from Tai Chi, Qi Gong and the therapeutic properties of the aquatic environment, Ai Chi® is a structured practice of conscious movement that promotes mobility, balance, coordination, respiratory regulation and overall wellbeing.
Through slow, flowing movements coordinated with breathing, participants develop a more conscious relationship with the body, movement and the aquatic environment, exploring new possibilities for stability, presence and self-regulation.
Over recent decades, Ai Chi® has been successfully used both in health promotion contexts and in programmes involving rehabilitation, aquatic therapy, active ageing, persistent pain, neurological conditions, balance disorders and different functional recovery processes.
This training introduces the original foundations of Ai Chi® from a contemporary perspective, integrating the teaching received directly from its creator, Jun Konno, with the clinical and teaching experience accumulated by the teaching team.
The course is taught by María Alonso Fraile, Raquel López Paños and Elisa Muñoz Blanco, instructors authorised by Jun Konno to teach Ai Chi®, who have contributed for many years to the dissemination and application of this method in different clinical, educational and community settings.
WHAT MAKES THIS TRAINING DIFFERENT?
- Teaching based on the direct transmission received from Jun Konno.
- A teaching team of three instructors with complementary professional backgrounds.
- Integration of the original Ai Chi® practice with its contemporary applications.
- Understanding movement as a tool for regulation, learning and wellbeing.
- Applicability in clinical, educational and community settings.
- Experiential work in a warm therapeutic pool.
- Small groups to facilitate practical learning and individualised supervision.
OBJECTIVES
By the end of the training, participants will be able to:
- Understand the conceptual and practical foundations of Ai Chi®.
- Become familiar with the complete structure of the basic Ai Chi® sequence.
- Integrate breathing, movement and conscious attention into aquatic practice.
- Understand the principles of alignment, balance and body organisation in water.
- Identify potential applications of Ai Chi® in different professional contexts.
- Develop resources to facilitate safe and accessible movement experiences.
- Incorporate principles of presence, flow and regulation into aquatic practice.
Original PRICE
380€
EARLY BIRD
350€
380.00€Add to basket
CONTENT
FOUNDATIONS OF AI CHI®
• History and development of the method.
• Influences of Tai Chi and Qi Gong.
• Fundamental principles of conscious movement in water.
• Breathing, attention and presence.
THE AI CHI® SEQUENCE
• Progressive learning of the classical sequence.
• Body organisation and alignment.
• Breathing coordination.
• Quality of movement.
MOVEMENT, BALANCE AND REGULATION
• Postural control in water.
• Dynamic stability.
• Flow and continuity.
• Relationship between movement and physiological regulation.
POTENTIAL PROFESSIONAL APPLICATIONS
• Health promotion.
• Aquatic therapy.
• Rehabilitation.
• Group programmes.
• Active ageing.
• Persistent pain.
• Wellbeing and quality of life.
SUPERVISED PRACTICE
• Integration of the sequence.
• Observation and correction.
• Basic adaptations.
• Guided practice sessions.
COMPETENCIES
Throughout this training, participants will develop competencies related to:
• Observation of human movement in water.
• Coordination between breathing and movement.
• Body awareness and proprioception.
• Balance and postural control.
• Regulation and self-regulation.
• Group facilitation in the aquatic environment.
• Application of therapeutic movement principles.
• Integration of health and wellbeing resources in water.
PARTICIPANT PROFILE
This training is aimed at:
Physiotherapists.
• Occupational therapists.
• Aquatic therapy professionals.
• Movement professionals.
• Aquatic educators.
• Watsu® students and practitioners.
• Students in health-related and bodywork disciplines.
• People interested in incorporating conscious movement tools in water.
PRE-REQUISITOS
No previous knowledge of Ai Chi® is required to participate in this training.
The preparatory work for the training, including the WABA Code of Ethics and Conduct for Watsu®, must be completed and submitted before the beginning of the course.
The course will be taught in Spanish and English.
CERTIFICATION
Ai Chi® is part of internationally recognised training pathways related to aquatic bodywork and aquatic therapy.
Upon completion of the course, participants will receive a Certificate of Participation issued by Watsupath™ Training Institute, documenting the hours completed as continuing education credits.
The corresponding credits may also be incorporated into the student’s digital academic record within the professional pathway recognised by the Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association (W.A.B.A.), in accordance with the applicable regulations.
INSTRUCTORS
María Alonso Fraile
Physiotherapist and Head of the Aquatic Therapy Unit at Hospital Fundación San José. She specializes in aquatic therapy and has more than 20 years of clinical and management experience.
She is a co-author and co-editor of Aquatic Therapy: Approaches from Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology, published by Elsevier. She also teaches graduate-level courses at various universities and institutions, where she addresses aquatic therapy as an intervention in neurological and orthopedic rehabilitation, as well as in the care of diverse patient populations.
Raquel López Paños
Physiotherapist specializing in aquatic therapy, neurology, motor control and therapeutic exercise, musculoskeletal clinical reasoning, Myofascial Induction™, and craniosacral biodynamics.
Instructor for Module 1 of Craniosacral Therapy in Water™ and a member of the training and research team at Watsupath™.
Elisa Muñoz Blanco
Founder of Watsupath™ and creator of Terapia Craneosacral en Agua™.
Physiotherapist, university lecturer and clinical researcher specialising in aquatic therapy, paediatric physiotherapy, manual therapy and psychosomatic medicine.
She develops international training programmes focused on integrating clinical practice, education and therapeutic support in the aquatic environment.
SCHEDULE
Total duration: 15 certified hours
On-site training
Dates: 24–25 April 2027
Location: Aquatic Therapy Unit, Hospital Fundación San José, Madrid
The training will take place over two intensive on-site days, combining theoretical content, demonstrations, guided practice and progressive learning of the Ai Chi® sequence.
Participants are expected to attend all scheduled hours in order to complete the training and receive the corresponding Certificate of Participation.
Final schedules, access details and practical recommendations will be provided to registered participants.
REGISTRATION AND EARLY-BIRD RATES
Standard registration: €380 (VAT included).
Early-bird registration: The first five people who complete their registration will have access to a special rate of €350 (VAT included). Coupon: antaichi
The registration fee includes:
• Full participation in the training
• Teaching materials
• Access to preparatory online content, where applicable
• Certificate of Participation issued by Watsupath™ Training Institute
• Registration of the corresponding continuing education credits, in accordance with applicable regulations
The registration fee does not include:
The facility use fee, travel expenses, accommodation or meals.
Facility Use Fee
The facility use fee for the Aquatic Therapy Unit during the training is €76 (VAT included).
This fee must be paid through the Watsupath™ payment platform together with the registration and will be itemised on the corresponding invoice.
CANCELLATION POLICY
If, after completing registration, a participant needs to cancel their attendance, the following conditions will apply:
- Cancellations must be requested in writing by email to info@watsupath.com
- Cancellations requested more than 30 days before the start of the course are eligible for a refund of the amount paid, less a €100 administrative fee
- Cancellations requested less than 30 days before the start of the course are non-refundable.
- In the event that the course is cancelled by the organisation, the full amount paid will be refunded, with no additional compensation.
COURSE VENUE
AQUATIC THERAPY UNIT
HOSPITAL FUNDACIÓN SAN JOSÉ
C/ Pinar de San José, 98
28044 Madrid, Spain
Fundación Instituto San José will make its Aquatic Therapy Unit available to participants for the development of the training.
Lunch
The cafeteria at Fundación Instituto San José offers a simple daily menu, salads, sandwiches and hamburgers.
The dining area provided for the group is equipped with a microwave, so you are welcome to bring your own lunch if you prefer.
The areas available for lunch and breaks in the Hospital gardens provide a pleasant place to take a break, weather permitting.
Accommodation
The Institute takes care of everything related to the course itself. Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation and accommodation during the training.
HOW TO GET TO THE COURSE VENUE
AQUATIC THERAPY UNIT
HOSPITAL FUNDACIÓN SAN JOSÉ
https://goo.gl/maps/nBpnxc2deLu
BY CAR
M-40 exit 30, Cuatro Vientos
M-45, direction N-V, exit 30 from the M-40
M-30, direction N-V, Cuatro Vientos exit
URBAN BUS
From Aluche — connected to Metro Line 5 and C-5 commuter rail: 483 and 487, direction La Fortuna.
From Plaza Elíptica — connected to Metro Lines 6 and 11: 486, direction La Fortuna.
METRO
Line 5 (green), direction Casa de Campo. Get off at Aluche and connect with the bus.
Line 11 (dark green), direction La Peseta. Get off at La Peseta and walk approximately 15 minutes.
TRAIN
RENFE provides regular services to Madrid.
By commuter train: C-5 line (yellow), towards Móstoles – El Soto. Get off at Aluche and connect with the bus.
AIRPORT
Madrid-Barajas Airport.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Watsupath™ Training Institute