Scheduled educational training path

Watsu 1

Prerequisite: none
Hours: 50

In the first section of watsu 1, student learn basic Watsu movements and stances. Likewise to Ai Chi, by seeking the connection to the breath, we reduce our efforts and let ourselves be floated by the water. Flowing in and out of the water breath dance, one can find the peace from where our presence has its root. During the second section (transition flow) students learn the transition flow and the way to harmoniously connect basic movements and stances to one another. Principles of postural dynamic are also seen in detail: they are essential to make any person float in water counting on the slightest effort possible. When on land, exploring Tantsu, bodywork practice in water, will be integrated. The experience may be proposed over a period of 6 days - intensive course - or it’s passible to attend the Basic course (2 days) and the Transition Flow course (4 days) at a later time.

Basic Watsu

Prerequisite: none
Hours: 16

The Basic is mainly an experiential course, where feeling the pleasure of getting familiar with the basics of this natural discipline of the wellness are essential. It focuses on the experience of supporting and being supported, giving a brief watsu session and going through the sensation of receiving it, in an ever-shifting exchange of emotions. Likewise to Tai Chi, people feel the experience of being centered in a pose, while holding a person who floats in water, making acupressures, stretches and swings, everything timed to the breath. It is possible to attend this course guided by the purpose of going deeper into self meditation or explore a new relationship with the element of water or with other people. It may be the beginning of a new personal growth path or of a professional path as a watsu practitioner.

Transition Flow

Prerequisite: Basic Watsu
Hours: 34

It’s one of the fundamental courses. Basic watsu blossoms into enriched figures thanks to a series of fluids movements that create a complete sequence: this offer the chance to create the practice of the entire “transition flow”. Over the course, experiential moments for listening and meditation in water get integrated with activities on land, such as Tantsu: people learn how to flow gracefully from a position to another: the focus is to memorize the sequence, in order to reach and pass the transition flow final test.

The gateway to the self

Prerequisite: Basic watsu
Hours: 25

This course is the union of two different courses: “Breath for watsu - 15 hours" and “Meditation for watsu - 15 hours"

Over this path, we will explore two fundamental elements in the watsu practice: Meditation and Breath. By exercising on land and in water, we will bring our awareness to the “here and now” by increasing the quality of the presence existing in each of us. Once having gotten in touch with this quality, we will try to go deeper and expand it, in order to embrace the other person’s presence too in a gentle, not invasive, way. While being present to ourselves and to our breath, we invite the person we support in our arms to do likewise, offering him or her the possibility to deepen the listening of the self and experience a profound connection with the whole that happens. This course will provide us for the key related to the quality of “doing nothing”: it occurs only when presence gets perceived totally.

Dance and contact: freeing the body on land and water

Prerequisite: Basic Watsu
Hours: 50

This course is the union of two different courses: “Bodywork on land / Tantsu” - 50 hours and “Dance for watsu” - 15 hours

The aim of this course is to provide for the basic knowledge and tools for the work on land, as a support for the work in water. The dimension of the contact, especially when shared with another person, will be explored so as to acquire a greater sense of ease when in a familiar environment and are called to give support to a person who floats and interact with the power water exercises when dealing with an in body movement. Thanks to sequences of exercises and poses, we will explore and refine our ability to “touch the other”, but, most of all, the one of “being with the other”, a marvelous dimension we can reach only when we let go of worries and expectations. This is an integrant part for Tantsu learning. Sequence of dance will be part of the path too. Dancing is a transformational healing process that encounters the deepest levels of our being and brings awareness to emotional conflicts cluttered throughout our daily life and stuck in our muscles. The dance play stimulates our sensibility and autogenic movements of the body that frees itself. It’s a flowing, like in water, a kind of “let yourself dance”, so as to dive into pleasure and beauty.

Shiatsu

Prerequisite: Watsu 1
Hours: 50

This course is also proposed in two separated modules: “Shiatsu 1 module” - 25 hours and “Shiatsu 2 module” - 25 hours

Shiatsu is a natural way of healing that originated from the most ancient healing methodology known by mankind. It’s a way to retrieve health and stay healthy in time rebalancing the communication system related to our primary body - the energetic system. This effects out growth, our activities and our awareness from the moment of conception until the end our life. Watsu originates from Zen Shiatsu by Masunaga and was transferred into water and adapted by the Californian poet Harold Dull. Understanding Shiatsu basic principles help us to fathom more easily watsu mysteries.

Tantsu

Prerequisite: none
Hours: 50

Tantsu is a discipline in which we share our joy with others through a global body support. Taunts cradles are positions where our body can easily be supported while moving together with the other person’s. This is how a kind of containment is created: it allows for deep connection and protection. When in a cradle, two people’s breath are connected and movement resonates through their bodies: sometimes everything is around spontaneous movements, other times explorations and creative plays: some other times again, they drive us to a still stance, quiet which is even deeper than what was already experienced with anyone else before. A simple cradle, where a person supports the other sharing the joy of the presence, can be easily learnt in a few hours. There are no long motor sequences to learn or concepts to memorize. Taunts means being with the other without intention; breathing and listening with the whole body while leaning on each others back, for stretching his or her arm or leg and, when feeling called, embrace a dance that involves the whole body. Set free from limitations that esoteric interpretations impose to other physical or spiritual paths, released from any therapeutic intention, which is usually associated to the bodywork, Tantsu stands for a new way to be with the other, a new Humanism, an approach to the sharing of our creative joy, in the interaction between breath, movement and peacefulness.

Watsu 2

Prerequisite: Watsu 1, positive outcome of the supervising test (recorded no more than 14 months before the course, in case of inactivity).
Hours: 50

Watsu 2 is a course in which the sequence and abilities acquired over the Transition Flow (final part of the first level) course get expanded. Students learn new movements and position to be expanded in accordance with the receiver’s needs. We will get familiar with concepts related to acupressure and meridians to be explored during a watsu session. Moreover, we will go through stretching positions useful to soothe meridians and the muscular fascia. The stimulation of points for acupressure, thanks to the body lifting, pushes and stretches introduced over this session, will slacken the flow of energetic flux in the body. Particular attention will be given listening to the body and the ability to embrace the needs of the person we hold, so as to be creatively open to go along with spontaneous movements that may come. Before entering the third level , the practice of several session is highly recommended.

Emotional process

Prerequisite: Watsu 2
Hours: 25

Through the Watsu practice, people may go through intense emotions and explore needs, fears and desires. Water releases tensions and conflicts in the body, but, in order to have mastery of its healing power it becomes necessary to experience every session in a comfortable environment, which contains and set free from judgements. Each watsuer has therefore the responsibility to create such an environment: this means to confront with personal and other people’s emotions. Through body and imaginative exercises, role plays, dramas, and continuously moving from land to water, the course helps students to confront themselves with the group on one’s own work-style and on which answer may be given to the several questions any watsu session usually rises: “how do I react to someone’s cry?” “how do I feel if one person doesn’t trust me?” “how do I react if a person is disapproving, seductive, dependent, etc?” Sharing all these matters helps a person feel more confident, more able to support another human being in a personal growth process.

Anatomy

Prerequisite: Watsu 2 or Watsu 1 and at least 100 hours regarding other aquatic or on land bodyworks
Hours: 50

The course offers a theoretical and experimental overview on a traditional pattern concerning anatomy for watsu. Focuses on the study of planes and axes of movement, bio mechanics related to joints, physiology, metabolism, muscle and stretches adapted to watsu. Through massages and specific exercises, students go through the functioning process of different systems and their potential application over a watsu session. Around one third of the entire course is dedicated to theory studied in class, one third to the experiential practice on land, and the last one third to exploration in water.

Preparatory courses - free choice

Prerequisite: please, always contact the course coordinator
Hours: 25

Courses belonging to this category are essentially experiential and are useful so as to expand the vision of the watsu world, exploring specific possibilities to experience water and integrating a precise path of personal growth. As regards the content of a course, please contact the coordinator of the lessons. References are specified in details in the schedule.
- woga: 6 hours
- watsu for babies: 8 hours
- water experiences: 15 hours
- OBA (Oceaninc Bodywork Aqua): 25 hours
- philosomatic for watsu: 50 hours
- trust in touch: 25 hours
- watsu tantsu explore flow: variable duration, from 15 to 50 hours
- watsu 4: 50 hours
- cradle of the heart: 15 hours
- communicate through art: 15 hours
- energetic anatomy: 25 hours

 

Watsu 3

Prerequisite: Watsu 2, positive outcome related to the Maestria test, having attended all courses belonging to the first level, having given and received the number of watsu sessions required
Hours: 50

After having learnt Watsu 2 sequence, the invitation is to develop and explore watsu creative aspect, opening the doors to what we call “free flow”. We will have the chance to go through advanced positions and energetic stretches, tractions alternating to rotations and new transitions. Tools offered throughout this course may lead students to develop new intuitive aquatic knowledges when approaching the other person.

Watsu and special needs

Prerequisite: Watsu 2, positive outcome related to the Maestria test or Watsu 1 and at least 150 hours of aquatic bodyworks
Hours: 25

Over this course, students learn how to adapt watsu techniques to people having particular physical or psychic pathologies. They will also get familiar with the use of the floating tubes, so as to work with people who are out flexibility or not at ease when in water, or together with people who, because of cultural traditions, feel uncomfortable when being sustained by someone’s arms. Students acquire knowledge on how to create a sense of trust, that is necessary, and related adapted techniques, embracing the spirit of the watsu tradition. In class and in water, basic studies regarding the structure of the human body are treated: they are a necessary information to be given in order to ensure a proper reflection on this delicate kind of possible watsu receiver.

Watsu, intimacy and sexuality

Prerequisite: Watsu 2, positive outcome related to the Maestria test or Watsu 1 and at least 150 hours of aquatic bodyworks
Hours: 25

“…During a watsu session, people discover alternative ways to experience the existence of sexual sensations: not being entitled to fulfill any sexual need, they can only be felt as pleasant, as the pleasure perceived by the body for being repeatedly rocked in water… Not partialized nor genitalized, these sensations may have a role in the energetic freeing process involving the whole body. it’s a surrendering. This is how we free our body. And the more we surrender, the freer people may feel when in our arms”. (H. Dull).

A long week-end dedicated to the exploration of this kind of energy, creativity, instinctive perception and eros, potentials that may be awakened when connected with our aquatic body. Beginning from ourselves, our most authentic and vital part, which is invited to get back to the pleasure of playing again, to the experience of a relationship of love, while going through the vital bond people have with water, maternal symbol deeply interconnected to Sexuality. Water collects, in fact, the power of healing, the eros and spirituality. it has the power to set free our deepest emotions and give us back our archaic instincts. Water is also a Master of “dance” and freedom. Exercises in couple or in group will be proposed. Together with role plays and innovative watsu explorations, students will participate to pre-contact exercises, oil massages, Qi Gong and awareness on energetic and emotional dynamics that may rise between the giver and receiver. Another important part will be dedicated to the discussion of ethical issues, professional deontology in the aquatic bodywork.

Self experience

Prerequisite: Watsu 2, positive outcome related to the Maestria test or Watsu 1 and at least 150 hours of aquatic bodyworks
Hours: 50

Let’s be aware of tools any practitioner always has on hand while working: how to treasure silence, the surrendering of elements, take on the witness role waiting for the unknown to happen (profound listening, proper distance, open attention, not judgmental awareness…). Let’s bring the attention on how the three-step alchemic synthesis process occurs for a practitioner: to give, to receive, to observe. Let’s arouse our sense of responsibility (ability to respond) by establishing a contact with the energy that comes from the condition of “being acknowledged” of what it is, of being an observer of the answer life gives us without us being called to action, experiencing a sense of freedom that has no need for a choice. This “open doors” policy allows for co(s)mmunication that ensure mutual nourishment - not verbal feedback - and the disposal of what is unnecessary (“grounding”), while giving attention to verbal feedback too. Over the course, students will have the chance to work on how meditation, sexuality, silence, chaos, creativity are essential when in a process of achievement for autonomy as human beings.

Inner Watsu

Prerequisite: Watsu 2, positive outcome related to the Maestria test or Watsu 1 and at least 150 hours of aquatic bodyworks
Hours: 50

This is a course where for researching and learning more in depth issues treated over the Watsu 1 path and related to personal growth. It’s run by the teachers belonging to the Watsu Italia team. Several topics will be treated, such as communication, ethics, how to practice watsu when pregnant, childbirth and sexuality, underwater experience. This is a rich and profound course, as it regards both the experience and contents.

Watsu 1 follow up

Prerequisite: Watsu 1
Hours: 25

Throughout this course, students have the chance to revise and refine stances and the sequence learnt during the first level lessons. Every single movement gets explored in detail, so as to make the most out of it and improve its efficacy. Great attention is also given to the posture the person giving a watsu session holds, in order to help him or her to reduce the effort, get a better sensation of relaxation in water and flow.

Watsu 2 follow up

Prerequisite: Watsu 2
Hours: 25

Throughout this course, students have the chance to revise and refine stances and the sequence learnt during the second level lessons. Every single movement gets explored in detail, so as to o make the most of it and improve its efficacy. Great attention is also given to the posture the person giving a watsu session holds, in order to help him or her to reduce the effort, get a better sensation of relaxation in water and flow.

Breathing for Watsu

Prerequisite: Basic Watsu
Hours: 15

Connection to the breath is a fundamental aspect to be integrated in the watsu practice, a precious tool that amplifies and refines the space of presence and listening to the self and the other.
Simply bringing presence to the breath, as it is, without the necessity to change its rhythm, the possibility to discover the countless potentials hidden in this gift constantly available for us will be revealed.
Water breath dance will be the basics from where to start and the principal tool to explore empty spaces and silence.
Through simple exercises and meditation in water and on land, we will have the chance to increase the listening and the presence, acquiring new quality to our way of practicing watsu.

 

Meditation for per Watsu

Prerequisite: Basic Watsu
Hours: 15

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Dance for Watsu

Prerequisite: Basic Watsu
Hours: 15

Meditation is an extraordinary and efficient tool to control and auto-control our daily challenges. At the beginning, it  basically focuses on the development of concentration skills, body and/or breath awareness, ability to concentrate on certain targets. Further on, meditation may help to improve the intuitive vision of one’s life, reach an intense level of self listening and integration of the different components of the self. Through these lessons, students will experiment different techniques mainly oriented on focusing and meditating, in order to directly go through different modalities and, in the end,  choose one – or maximum  two - that suit us best; they may be considered as a starting point to undertake a path of personal growth and as a practice to rely on before giving a watsu session or another kind of aquatic bodywork.

 

Bodywork on land

Prerequisite: Basic Watsu
Hours: 50

As the great miscellaneous techniques suggest, bodywork generally aims to help people   get in touch with their own original softness and openness that allows the vital energetic flux to circulate freely throughout the body and pervade all dimensions connected to the inner self.
The practice of the bodywork on land is submitted to people as a tool to explore the contact  with the other dimensions and acquire a certain kind of self-confidence while in a stance that gives us no worries about how to help someone float or even interact with the power which water employs on a body in movement.
Thanks to exercises and sequences of stances not only have we got the chance to explore and refine our ability to “touch other people”, but also to “be with the other”, a dimension that rises if we merely let go of concerns and expectations.
Thanks to experiences of self-perception, which allow us to travel through the discovery of our inner - outer world, students learn how to execute each gesture in the ease of our emotional and anatomical comfort, since “feeling good while with someone else” undoubtedly entails “feeling good while with ourselves”. Only like this can we  travel along with the person who we are entrusted with, an experience inside their body and through emotions and sensations related to it while receiving the necessary support they need to deeply let go of and acquire new awareness of the self.

Osteopathy for Watsu

Prerequisite: 
Hours: 25

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OBA (Oceanic Bodywork Aqua)

Prerequisite: 
Hours: 25

It’s a travel back to the origins, a dive into the endless blue depth of our inner ocean.
It’s a chance to dive into the marvelous world of memories connected to the time when you  weightlessly floated in your mother’s protective womb.
While receiving Oceanic Bodywork® Aqua, you go back into that space where you were surrounded by a sweet warm liquid: it’s an invitation to newly go through the nourishing qualities of being held in an embrace and loved, rediscovering the sensation of confidence and inner peace, a sensation of “being back home”.
Oceanic Bodywork® Aqua combines elements of gentle stretches, deep tissue massages,joint mobilization through an energetic and breath work carried out in a unique way, under and above the water surface. Specifically studied movements allow the spine to move gently and meanwhile the energy to flow freely again. The range of movements of your joints will increase and consequently the whole body will experience new possibilities of movement in water thanks to the absence of weight. The perception of your body will change and you will perceive it thanks to an increased awareness. This form of aquatic therapy invites people to get t know the energetic healing qualities of water in a completely new way. Physical and chronic pain might disolve.