Pathways to Practitioner
Pathways to Becoming an Internationally Certified Aquatic Bodywork Practitioner
with The AIAB - Australian Institute of Aquatic Bodywork
(Aligned with WABA - Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association standards)
How to become a WATSU® Practitioner
Aquatic Bodywork Electives or Audits * | 150hrs | Hands-On
Anatomy & Physiology | 100hrs | Online / In-Person
Shiatsu / Massage / Equivalent bodywork (touch-based therapy, hands-on training **) | 100hrs | Hands-On. Recognised certificate required.
Somatic Practice / Meditation / Mindfulness | Self Reflection: Write a description of your experience and its relation to the Watsu practice
Practice Sessions Given | 20 | Logbook
Professional Sessions Received | 6 | Logbook
CPR Certification | Current certificate
WABA Registration Fee | Visit watsu.com or download document here
STAGE 1 – WATSU® I
✅ No Prerequisite
🧠 Learn core WATSU® principles & sequence🎓Delivered: Face-to-face
📝 Assessment: During the course
📚 Hours: 50
STAGE 2 – WATSU® II
✅ Prerequisite: WATSU® I
🧠 Expand on techniques of WATSU®
🎓 Delivered: Face-to-face
📝 Assessment: During the course
📚 Hours: 50
SPA / WATSU® PROVIDER
(Optional Pathway for Licensed Professionals)
Licensed professionals working at a spa, clinic, or other facility, may begin offering sessions under a provisional 2-year contract, after:
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Completing WATSU® I & II
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Logging 10 practice sessions
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Receiving 2 professional sessions
Eligible professionals include:
Certified Massage Therapists | Spa Therapists | Licensed Physical or Occupational Therapists (or Assistants) | Registered Nurses | Professionals with a strong therapeutic background and 500+ accredited hours of professional training.
Note: Providers pledge to complete WATSU® certification within the contract period.
STAGE 3 – WATSU® III
✅ Requirements to enter Stage 3:
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Completion of WATSU® I & II
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Supervision / Demonstration of Mastery (2-4hrs depending on proficiency)
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Log 20 practice sessions
🧠 Learn advanced principles, deepen technique, free flow & bodywork awareness
🎓 Delivered: Face-to-face
📝 Demonstration of Proficiency (DOP): 60minute session - typically supervised during your WATSU® III course
📚 Hours: 50-54 hrs
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS – Electives & Complementary Studies
✅ Can be completed at any point during the certification program.
Requirement
Delivery Method
Hours / Number
Aquatic Bodywork Electives or Audits *
Anatomy & Physiology
Shiatsu / Massage / Equivalent bodywork (touch-based therapy, hands-on training **)
Somatic Practice / Meditation / Mindfulness
Practice Sessions Given
Professional Sessions Received
CPR Certification
WABA Registration Fee
Hands-On
Blended (online / in-person)
Hands-On
Recognised certificate required
Self-reflection: Write a description of your experience and its relation to the Watsu practice
Logbook
Logbook
Current certificate
Visit watsu.com or download document here
150 hours
100 hours
100 hours
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20
6
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* Must be a WABA approved course.
** This must comprise 100 hours of combined theory and face-to-face supervised practical training in Shiatsu, Massage, or any other touch-based therapy from the following: Swedish Massage | Deep Tissue Massage | Myofascial Release | Trigger Point Therapy | Sports Massage | Lymphatic Drainage Massage | Remedial Massage | Thai Massage | Shiatsu | Zen Shiatsu | Tui Na (Chinese therapeutic massage) | Lomi Lomi (Hawaiian massage)| Craniosacral & Subtle Touch Therapies | Structural & Movement-Oriented Bodywork: Rolfing® Structural Integration, Hellerwork, Feldenkrais Method® (Functional Integration hands-on), Alexander Technique (hands-on component) , Trager Approach®, Ortho-Bionomy®.
CERTIFIED WATSU PRACTITIONER
📚 Total program hours: Minimum 500
🎓 Once all requirements are completed and the WABA registration fee is paid, you may apply to be listed on the WABA Global Registry and the AIAB Aqua Community as a Certified WATSU® Practitioner.
⚠️ Important Notes
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To maintain Practitioner status, you must demonstrate at least 50 hours of professional development every 36 months.
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The Australian Institute of Aquatic Bodywork (AIAB) follows the guidelines of the Practitioner requirements outlined by the Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association (WABA).
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Classes taken by other WABA training providers, including certificates obtained from other training organisations (not WABA or the AIAB) will have to be assessed according to the AIAB RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) policies.
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WABA allows and even recommends auditing/repeating classes, which can be counted towards the practitioner requirements. Based on more than 50 years of training with thousands of students around the world, we know that repeating a class helps polishing the skills and deepens the understanding of the practice.
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Transfer Credits Requirements may be fulfilled by transferring credits from an equivalent course taken elsewhere as long as they are relevant and with enough academic recorded hours.
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It is highly recommended that students experience and learn other forms of aquatic bodywork to enrich their skills.
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Our yearly course calendar is set for training continuity, but dates may change—stay updated via our mailing list and social media.
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Courses go ahead if there are at least 6 or more students enrolled. Past experience shows that it is better to experience the training in a proper sized group as the exchange between students is vital to the learning process.
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Please read the AIAB Assessment Student Guide.
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WATSU® is a registered trademark and service mark in the US, Europe, and Asia, legally assigned to Calias Patricia Dull.
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You may only legally use the WATSU® trademark for promotion once you are a registered practitioner.