Six-day "Shiatsu for Midwives, Doulas, Birth Educators and Pregnancy Massage therapists" course

PREP suitable (NMC 2008)

Shiatsu is more than a specific way of working on the body - it has developed out of an Eastern understanding of the body which goes beyond the purely physical. As such, it offers a very different way of looking at the body than through Western medical diagnosis. An experiential understanding of the basic principles of Shiatsu can be used by midwives to enhance their current practice.

Some of the skills required of a Shiatsu practitioner can be learnt and applied without undergoing the full 3 year professional training. The skills that are particularly relevant to midwives are; awareness of posture, breathing, movement and exercise, relaxation and touch. The emphasis will be on giving a direct experience of these skills, as well as lecture presentations. Midwives and doulas will learn practical skills which can be immediately applied to practice. The hours completed on these courses can count towards hours required to become practitioners if midwives or doulas wished to continue further with their studies.

Shiatsu falls in line with good practice as outlined in "Changing Childbirth" (UK). It is essentially about the relationship of one human being with another as well as with themselves. It is extremely cost effective as it doesn't cost anything beyond the costs of the original training. It involves a shift of focus away from tests and technology towards using more "intuitive" midwifery skills.

Aims

1. To provide a practical understanding of the use of shiatsu and bodywork for pregnancy, labour, postnatally and for the baby

  • Knowledge of techniques for different stages of pregnancy.
  • Techniques to aid anterior cephalic presentation of baby.
  • Awareness of back and abdominal care for mother, including positions and techniques to avoid.
  • Techniques for labour, including their use in various birth positions.
  • Awareness and massage of the baby in the womb.
  • Use of exercise, breathing, relaxation, visualisations.
  • An understanding of the importance of appropriate position for mother's and baby's well-being and comfort.
  • To be aware of issues regarding use of oils.
  • Baby massage; Shiatsu techniques appropriate for the new-born, including how to teach some basic techniques to parents.

2. To provide a general theoretical understanding of shiatsu and Chinese medicine and a specific understanding of how this relates to pregnancy, birth and the immediate post-partum period

  • Oriental views of pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period - including energy changes in the mother and development of the foetus/baby.
  • Yin/yang, the nature of Ki, essence, function of meridians, location and function of points ("tsubos"), 5 element theory.
  • An overview of a different perspective on health and illness.

3. To provide practical tools for self-development to enhance the understanding of shiatsu and bodywork, especially in developing awareness and sensitivity of touch, and also to support your own well-being

  • Looking after yourself - exercises, breathing, relaxation to enhance your own well-being and vitality.
  • Exercises developing 'sensitive' touch.
  • Self development - awareness of how our beliefs and experiences affect our work, e.g. our births, sexuality.

4. Working towards an holistic model of pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period

  • To be aware of how the orthodox medical model of pregnancy can undermine a woman's and partner's confidence in themselves.
  • Supporting development of the mother's and father's relationship with the baby and their confidence in their own bodies and wisdom.
  • Developing a sensitive model of care in which the needs of the baby are recognised, and the mother/father/baby bond is encouraged.
  • Guidelines on how the shiatsu approach can be included within midwifery practice including when to refer to a Shiatsu practitioner or other relevant health professional.

Features

  • Small group - maximum size 16.
  • Written assessments and presentation of case studies with a focus on integrating into midwifery practice.
  • Certification on successful completion of course and assessments.
  • Options of follow up days and on-going support and training.
  • Talks, presentations and lectures for theory sessions.
  • Practical sessions, working with a partner under supervision by the teacher.
  • Time for relaxation and space for personal development issues.

Venue

It is offered at different venues in the UK and abroad, ask for details if you can't see anything below that suits you.

Format

In the UK, it will take place over 6 days, usually in blocks of 2 days with approximately a 3 week gap in between. Elsewhere it may run as 2 blocks of 3 days, sometimes with a year between parts 1 and 2.