Diploma Course for Shiatsu Practitioners:
"Holistic care in pregnancy, birth and babyhood"


In the Shambhala Shiatsu Schule, Vienna, Austria

Course content

Prior to attending a module, you will need to attend a foundation course which stands on its own as a basis on which to develop and orientate shiatsu in the support of pregnancy, birth, babyhood, and women’s health, but also is the first part of the course.

Format

The course is in three modules:

Module 1: Pregnancy.
Module 2: Birth and the immediate postpartum period, including birth preparation for parents.
Module 3: The postnatal period for mother and baby.

These modules are usually 4 days each, but sometimes the format is slightly different depending on where there are organised. Each module is self-contained and can be taken on its own. On completion of the three modules, there is a final graduating day or weekend where students present a project to complete the diploma.

The three modules together give a thorough understanding of practical techniques for working during the whole maternity period, with mother and baby. During each module there is a supervised clinic session working with clients. Suitable self-help exercises for mothers, including birth positions and exercises with babies, are taught. This is backed up by a thorough understanding of meridian/organ changes and a grounding in the anatomy and physiology of the maternity period with emphasis on those aspects which directly affect the shiatsu work. There is some exploration of the effects of different obstetrical interventions on the energy of mother and baby, particularly with regard to birth trauma.

Throughout there is an emphasis on the energetic links between mother and baby and how to include an awareness of the baby in the womb in your work. Part of the course is about being aware of and processing your own experiences of your womb life, birth and immediate postnatal experiences, through meditation and visualisation.

Modules

Module 1 - Pregnancy

Practical shiatsu skills

includes integrating structural and lymphatic work; working with the 3 chou, the Girdle Vessel; spinal work, supporting the mother/baby connection; ways of working with specific conditions.

Theory

includes: pre-conceptual health, menstruation and fertility issues, case-taking skills; changes for the mother and embryological development from a meridian and physiology point of view.

Module 2 - Birth and the immediate postnatal period

Practical shiatsu skills

Includes; shiatsu for birth initiation; shiatsu for different stages of labour; teaching partners: how to work with the baby in labour, in intensive care, in the first 6 weeks; shiatsu for the mother in the first 6 weeks; how to work with birth trauma for mother and baby, supporting bonding and breastfeeding.

Theory

includes: different stages of labour from an eastern and western perspective, effects of obstetrical intervention for mother and baby, particularly how they affect the meridians; understanding breastfeeding from an eastern and western perspective.

Module 3 - Postnatal work with mother and baby (from 6 weeks to one year)

Practical shiatsu skills

Includes; appropriate techniques for the mother from 6 weeks, including deeper abdominal work; shiatsu for babies at different developmental stages, both teaching parents and working directly with babies; ways of working with specific postnatal conditions.

Theory

includes: effects of childhood diseases and vaccinations on meridians; childhood development to 1year, from an eastern and western perspective.

Graduating weekend

Held approximately 6 months after completion of the 3 modules.

Each participant is expected to undertake a written project of a minimum of 3-5,000 words, exploring some aspect of their work in this field. They will present it to the rest of the group in a teaching session, at this final weekend.

Aims of course

1. To deepen our understanding of Shiatsu during pregnancy, birth and babyhood - including Shiatsu for labour and baby massage.

  • Oriental views of pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period - including energy changes in the mother and development of the fetus/baby.
  • Knowledge of appropriate and contra-indicated techniques and points.
  • Knowledge of different positions for different stages of pregnancy, birth and postnatally.
  • Awareness of back and abdominal care for mother, including positions and techniques to avoid.
  • Techniques for labour, including use of birth positions.
  • Teaching Shiatsu to partners - for pregnancy, labour and baby.
  • The baby - awareness of the baby in the womb and baby massage.

2. To develop a holistic approach to pregnancy, birth and babyhood - exploring our own beliefs and integrating other approaches into our practice.

  • Self development - awareness of how our beliefs and experiences affect our work - e.g. our births, giving birth, sexuality, menstruation.
  • Other holistic therapies of particular relevance during this period.
  • Practical ideas and suggestions to support the work of the Shiatsu session e.g. exercises, breathing, relaxation, visualisations.
  • Encouraging development of the mother's and father's relationship with the baby and their confidence in their own bodies and wisdom.
  • Professional development - marketing, business issues, setting up classes, networking, support, working with other professionals both within the NHS and holistic field.

3. To provide an understanding of the medical model of pregnancy, birth and babyhood, particularly of the ways it can undermine a woman's and partner's confidence in themselves.

  • An understanding of anatomy and physiology of pregnancy including; main symptoms, physiological and pathological conditions, which are amenable to treatment with shiatsu, which need to be referred on and to whom.
  • Our relationship to the NHS - the medical approach to birth.
  • Being able to support women in making informed choices about their care.

Features

  • Supervised clinical practice - clinics where pregnant and post natal women and their partners and babies attend.
  • Written assessments and presentation of case studies.
  • Lecture presentations and self-development work.
  • Certification on successful completion of course and assessments.
  • Options of follow up days and ongoing support.

Course entry requirements

For the introductory day applicants need to be either graduates of a shiatsu school or students in their third year.

For Part Two, the minimum requirement is to be a third year student, graduating before the completion of the course.

Ongoing support

Once the course has been completed, ongoing support is provided through individual supervision, Continuing Professional Development and a message board (this is not a public forum).