Frequently Asked Questions

Aquatic Bodywork™ is a form of therapeutic treatment performed in warm water. It blends techniques from massage, breathwork, stretching, and movement. Modalities like WATSU®, Healing Dance®, and Waterdance support deep physical and emotional release, nervous system regulation, and wellbeing.

AIAB is the Australian Institute of Aquatic Bodywork—Australia’s premier training centre for Watsu® and other aquatic therapy modalities, and official Australian representatives of WABA - the Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association.

WABA, the Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association oversees aquatic bodywork training and certification programs and their ethical application; coordinates research; and helps provide access to the benefits of Aquatic Bodywork™. Practitioners, Instructors, and Training Institutes are members of WABA. Other individuals and organizations who want to help are welcome to become WABA members.

Also: watsu.com

We are based in Perth, Western Australia, and operate from the Aquanat centre in Alfred Cove - a purpose-built hydrotherapy centre designed specifically for aquatic therapy training, as well as therapy sessions and other aquatic based educational programs (see www.aquanat.com.au).

With the collaboration or external organisers, we are able to travel to you to teach course. Get in touch with us to learn more.

Our courses are open to a wide range of people, including:

• Anyone interested in therapeutic water-based practices

• Massage and bodywork therapists

• Allied health professionals

• Yoga teachers and wellness practitioners

• Midwives and doulas

• Spa and resort staff

• and more...

We offer certified courses in:

• WATSU® (Levels I to III, and Spa Provider pathway)

• Healing Dance®

• Waterdance (WATA®)

• Oceanic Bodywork Aquatic (OBA®)

• Halliwick® Foundation (aquatic rehabilitation training)

Yes! Our training programs are accredited by the Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association (WABA). Graduates receive certificates that are recognised across Australia and internationally.

Not always. Many beginner-level courses, like WATSU® I or Intro to Healing Dance®, are open to people without previous experience. Some advanced modules require prerequisites, which are listed on the individual course pages.

See more here.

Yes. We offer the full pathway from WATSU® I to Spa Provider or Practitioner certification, with guidance on hours, supervision, and practicum requirements.

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Visit our Pathways to Practitioner page for detailed information.

Most courses run for 6 days and include 50+ hours of instruction, practice, and theory. Course schedules and lengths vary—please see each course page for full details.

Training takes place at our warm-water hydrotherapy centre in Perth, designed specifically for aquatic therapy training.

See more information on our Aquanat aquatic centre in Alfred Cove, and more services we offer such as baby and parents swimming lessons, hydrotherapy pool hire, aquatic therapy sessions to anyone, and gentle aquatic therapy for pregnancy and babies in breech position.

With the collaboration or external organisers, we may be able to travel to you to teach courses. Get in touch with us to learn more.

Our training pool is kept at a consistent 34–35°C, ideal for aquatic therapy, comfort, and deep relaxation.

The temperature can be adjusted according to the client needs.

Our Aquatic Bodywork™ courses typically run consecutively over a set period (e.g. 6 full days), with scheduled breaks each day. We recommend planning time to rest before and after training.

Absolutely. Many of our students travel from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, New Zealand, Asia, Europe, and North America to train with us in Perth.

For short-term courses and training, most individuals enter Australia on a Visitor Visa. Check with your local Australian consulate for current requirements and/or visit: Australian Department of Home Affairs

Most applications are free, easy and don't take long to process for stays of up to 3 months. However, please do your research and consult the appropriate channels to make sure you know what is involved in your situation.

While we don’t provide housing, we are happy to recommend local short-stay rentals, Airbnbs, and host families close to the centre in suburbs like Alfred Cove, Applecross, and Fremantle.

Some of our local students have offered a room in their home for a reduced cost.

Please let us know if you need assistance when you enrol.

Yes. Many students integrate aquatic bodywork into:

• Massage and wellness clinics

• Physiotherapy practices

• Spa and resort settings

• Private aquatic therapy sessions

• Prenatal and postpartum care services

Your certification can support you in adding new services or transitioning into aquatic therapy as a specialisation.

Please note however that it is illegal; and unethical to promote yourself as a practitioner of aquatic bodywork until you finalise your certification program - please consult professional pathways here.

​Yes. Graduates may be eligible to be listed in our Directory based on course completion and certification level.

Visit our Aquatic Bodywork™ Training page to view upcoming courses. Get in touch with us to request access to our online enrolment form and tell us which course/s you are interested in - we love to get to know our students!

​Some courses may offer discounts for repeat students. Contact us to discuss payment options.

Yes! We’d love to connect. Please contact us by phone, email, or form—we’re here to help answer any questions you have.

Yes, all training is delivered in English. You don't have to be a native English speaker, but we recommend a working proficiency in English to get the most out of your course.

You must either have been accredited as a WATSU®/Spa Provider under a temporary licence (2yrs) whilst you train to complete your Practitioner certification, or have fully completed your Practitioner certification and have registered with WABA. 

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Please visit our Pathways to Practitioner page to learn more.

WATSU® is a Registered Trademark and a Registered Service Mark in the US, Europe and Asia and is assigned to Calias Patricia Dull daughter of founder Harold Dull.

You need to be a fully registered WATSU® Practitioner (you can refer to yourself as a Practitioner) or WATSU® / Spa Provider (you may only refer to yourself as a Provider). 

Any promotion, advertising, and marketing otherwise is a breech of conduct and law. 

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Please visit our Pathways to Practitioner page to learn more.

Properly certified practitioners and teachers have completed WABA's training requirements and are listed on the WABR directory.  

Yes, after your Watsu® training, you’ll be able to practise the sequence you’ve learned with friends and family. However, this is for personal practice only and not permitted for paid or professional services. You must complete the full WABA-accredited WATSU® Practitioner or Provider training program and fulfil all requirements in order to offer Watsu® sessions professionally.

There are some exceptions: if you're already a qualified professional and/or Allied Health provider with license to touch such as a Physiotherapist, Hydrotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Support Worker / Carer, Perinatal support or health worker (eg. Midwives and Douls) offering therapy in water, you are able to integrate elements of Watsu® into your practice. In fact, we think you’ll find the new skills so valuable, you won’t be able to resist putting them to good use!

Our aquatic therapy sessions and Aquatic Bodywork™ training take place in professionally maintained indoor hydrotherapy pools, heated to 34–35°C for optimal muscle relaxation and sensory integration.

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We use a combination of UV light and a minimal, carefully regulated amount of chlorine for sanitation. This method is chosen for safety, comfort, and compliance with WA Health Department regulations, which require chlorine in all commercial pools — regardless of additional treatments like salt, magnesium, or UV.

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Here’s why we don’t use salt or magnesium systems alone:

• Salt and magnesium pools still produce chlorine as a by-product and don’t meet hygiene standards on their own.

• While magnesium is often marketed as having absorption benefits through the skin, studies suggest that absorption during aquatic sessions is minimal — even after extended exposure.

• UV treatment effectively neutralises bacteria, viruses, and chlorine-resistant organisms like Cryptosporidium, while also reducing chlorine and chloramine levels, which helps minimise skin sensitivity, smell, and chemical load.

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Clients regularly tell us the water feels silky, clear, and gentle on the skin and eyes, without the strong “chlorine smell.”

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During training intensives, when we're in the water for many hours each day, we rely on students' cooperation to help maintain water quality. This includes:

• Showering before pool entry

• Avoiding lotions, oils, and residual shampoos

• Using toilets rather than the pool

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To support your skin’s health during long training days, we suggest keeping post-session showers minimal (or short cold showers ideally) to preserve your skin’s natural pH and moisture barrier.