Watsu® Training Program

Watsu® is a form of aquatic bodywork characterized by one-on-one sessions in which a Practitioner gently cradles, moves, stretches, and massages Receiver in warm water, with nose and mouth above water surface; for relaxation, recreation, personal growth, and therapy; originally developed by Harold Dull at Harbin Hot Springs.

 

Basic Watsu^®

(2 days, 16 hours)

This class is the first third of Watsu^® 1 and focuses primarily on presence, following and attuning awareness to the rhythm of the breath and heart. Students learn a simple sequence that can be shared with friends and family. Provides a wonderful base for working in the water with another,

• Deepen internal listening skills
• Increase awareness of the principles
of aquatic therapy
• Simple sequence
• Transition to Watsu^® 1

This Watsu^® Basic course is of an introductory level with no intention of preparing professionally, therefore it is essential that the rest of the training levels are carried out in order to offer it to the general public in a completely professional way.

No prerequisites are required. Watsu^® Basic (16h in 2 days) gives access to Watsu^® Transition Flow (34h. in 3 days) and both make up the standard Watsu^® 1 (50h in 5 days) course.

Watsu^® Transition Flow

(3 days, 34 hours)

introduces basic moves and positions, the principals of water, body mechanics, connection to the breath and an introduction to land based Shiatsu. Students apply all they have experienced and learned to a simple form that connects all the major positions of Watsu^® with long, graceful flowing transitions.

• Basic moves and positions
• The principals of water
• Body mechanics
• Breath connectivity
• Introduction to Shiatsu
• Aquatic transition and flow

Prerequisites:

having completed at least a Basic Watsu^®, credited by Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association.

Watsu^® Basic (16h in 2 days) and Watsu^® Transition Flow (34h. in 3 days) make up the standard Watsu^® 1 (50h in 5 days) course.

Once student has completed Basic Watsu^® and Watsu^® Transition Flow, or Watsu^® 1 – complete, s(h)e will have access to Watsu^® 2, if the credited Instructor has evaluated the student favorably, and the student has performed the number of required free and/or supervised practice sessions, and received the required number of sessions from a credited Practitioner.

Watsu^® 2

(5 days, 50 hours)

Student expands her/his repertoire of basic aquatic moves, applies Shiatsu principals and practices into the water work. Student will learn to become more attuned to the client’s movement and explore this in the context of an aquatic session.

• Intermediate moves
• Applied Shiatsu points & meridians
• Depth of presence & attunment

Student achieves the following goals:

• Expand each of the positions learned in the Transition Flow with additional moves and stretches. Learn how to adapt them to the one in your arms.
• Learn what moves need to be repeated on both sides and what need only be done on one side, and how to best utilize the time this frees.
• Incorporate work on the Hara. Learn to individualize each session. Complete Watsu’s standard form.

Prerequisites:

having completed at least a Watsu^® 1, credited by Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association W.A.B.A.

Once student has completed Watsu^® 2, s(h)e will have access to Watsu^® 3 when, once the Demonstration of Competency has been completed, the credited Instructor has evaluated the student favorably, and the student has performed the number of required free and/or supervised practice sessions, and received the required number of sessions from a credited Practitioner.

Watsu^® 3 – Adaptive

(5 days, 50 hours)

builds on principals and concepts covered in Watsu^® 1 & 2, with an emphasis on developing practitioner comfort, ability and intuitive awareness in working with special needs.

Student will explore:

The Way of Watsu^®; Viewing the Body Landscape; Active Listening; Somatic Languaging; Power of Touch in Relationship; and Building a Viable Practice.

Students utilize a soft leg support and head cradle to assist in working with client’s that are challenged by size and/or loss of flexibility, mobility and co-ordination.

Student will explore step work, and alternative saddles to accommodate emotional and physical guarding. An Orthopedic, Neurological and Systemic Guideline is provided.

Students´ objectives:

• Working With Special Needs
• The Way of Watsu^®
• The Body Landscape
• Cradling & Support
• Step Work & Alternative Saddles

Once Watsu^® 3 is been completed, the student will have access to his/her Demonstration of Mastery to become a Watsu^® Practitioner when the accredited Instructor has evaluated the student favorably, and the student has performed the number of required free and/or supervised practice sessions, received the required number of sessions from a credited Practitioner, and completed the required hours of Anatomy, Shiatsu, Elective Credits and Continuing Education Credits.