Two-year program
Path to Watsu® Practitioner Certification
A comprehensive professional training program accredited by WABA. 204 hours of core instruction, supervision, and monthly training days.
Most institutes offer individual courses. We offer a pathway.
The two-year AquaRoots Institute study program is a comprehensive professional training pathway that takes you from your first experience of working in warm water to the internationally recognized qualification of Watsu® Practitioner, registered with the Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Registry. It is not a series of courses you have to navigate on your own — it is a structured training pathway with guidance, supervision, and clearly defined milestones.
Over two years, you will complete 204 hours of core instruction, more than one hundred hours of supplementary modules, and dozens of hours of your own practice under the guidance of certified instructors.
Outcome
What you will gain from the program
- An international Watsu® Practitioner qualification — registration with WABR through an authorized institute
- The ability to conduct a Watsu® session independently — smoothly, safely, and with consideration for the needs of each individual client
- Professional opportunities in wellness centers and spas, therapeutic spa facilities, hotel resorts, or your own practice
- A clear path forward — toward the Watsu® Assistant and Watsu® Instructor levels
Who it is for
You do not need to be a massage therapist to get started
The program is open to anyone aged 18 or over, who is medically fit to work in an aquatic environment and wants to develop in this field. Previous bodywork training is an advantage, not an admission requirement.
If you are already a massage therapist, physiotherapist, or therapist qualified in bodywork, the program is an advanced addition to your existing qualifications — it will expand your practice with a specialization that only a few professionals in the region offer.
If you are new to bodywork, you can apply as well. The so-called license to touch, meaning accredited massage training or a comparable qualification, can be completed in parallel during the two years of the program. It is only required once you begin practicing independently and professionally. So you do not have to wait until you are “ready enough” — you can start now and complete the qualification along the way.
The program requires the ability to participate actively in practical training in the water and a willingness to work on yourself. We will teach you the rest.
Structure
How the program works
The training is divided into three consecutive stages. Each builds on the previous one, and progression depends on demonstrating the required skills — not simply on time spent in training.
Stage A — Foundation Level (Year 1)
You will learn the fundamental principles of working in an aquatic environment, develop awareness of your own body and the client’s body, and learn safe handling in weightlessness. You will learn the basic Watsu® techniques and sequences and begin supervised practice.
| Module | Duration |
|---|---|
| Watsu® 1 | 50 hours |
| Watsu® 1 Integration | 25 hours |
Watsu® 1 can also be completed as two shorter courses — Watsu® Basic (16 hours) and Watsu® Transition Flow (34 hours). The content and total price are the same; splitting the course simply allows you to enter the program through two shorter training stays. Watsu® Basic is also the easiest way to experience the method without committing to continuing.
Stage B — Development Level (Years 1–2)
You will learn to conduct more complex sessions, deepen your technical skills, and integrate what you have learned into your own practice. The stage concludes with the Demonstration of Mastery, which is required for progression.
| Module | Duration |
|---|---|
| Watsu® 2 | 50 hours |
| Watsu® 2 Integration | 25 hours |
| Demonstration of Mastery (DOM) | 2 hours |
Stage C — Professional Level (Year 2)
The final stage integrates everything learned so far into independent practice. You demonstrate your ability to conduct a smooth and professional session through the Demonstration of Proficiency — a key requirement for obtaining Watsu® Practitioner authorization.
| Module | Duration |
|---|---|
| Watsu® 3 | 50 hours |
| Demonstration of Proficiency (DOP) | 2 hours |
Watsu® 3 is taught by international senior instructors in English, always with professional interpretation into Slovak or Czech.
Two milestones
You do not have to wait two years for your first qualification
After Stage B · approx. 12–18 months
Watsu® Provider
An interim authorization that allows you to provide Watsu® sessions in accordance with the rules of the international registry — even before completing the full training.
After Stage C · completion of the program
Watsu® Practitioner
Full authorization after successfully completing the Demonstration of Proficiency assessment and meeting all program and registry requirements.
Supplementary education
Supplementary training modules
Alongside the core courses, you will complete modules that provide the professional foundation for safe bodywork:
| Module | Duration |
|---|---|
| Anatomy and physiology | min. 50 hours |
| Bodywork techniques (Shiatsu / Tantsu) | min. 50 hours |
| Ethics in practice | min. 6 hours |
| First aid course including CPR | depending on the course |
Anatomy and physiology are taught by instructors with a physiotherapy background, while Shiatsu and Tantsu are taught by experienced instructors in these methods.
The supplementary modules broaden your professional profile, but they do not replace a formal license to touch. This must be obtained separately — no later than before you begin independent professional practice.
Practice and supervision
You are not on your own between modules
Several times a year, training days include a group section led by an instructor and an individual section for independent practice. Individual and group supervision are provided throughout the training. You keep records of sessions given and received. Regular online consultations with instructors are also included.
For completion: at least 20 sessions given and 6 sessions received.
Requirements
Admission requirements
- minimum age of 18
- medical fitness to work in an aquatic environment
- ability to participate actively in practical training in the water
- motivation for professional development in wellness and bodywork
Previous bodywork experience is an advantage, not a requirement.
Requirements for completion
The training is successfully completed when you:
- complete all core modules (Watsu® 1 through 3, including the Integration modules)
- complete the supplementary modules — anatomy and physiology, bodywork techniques, and ethics
- provide at least 20 practical Watsu® sessions in the role of provider
- receive at least 6 Watsu® sessions from a qualified Watsu® Practitioner
- keep records of both sessions given and sessions received
- successfully complete both the Demonstration of Mastery and Demonstration of Proficiency
- provide proof of completing a first aid course including CPR
- meet the international registry requirements for the scope of education and practice
If at any stage it becomes clear that you need more time or practice, you will be advised to complete additional training or practice. The program recognizes that everyone progresses at their own pace.
Certification
WABA certification
AquaRoots Institute is an authorized educational institute operating in accordance with the standards of the Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association (WABA). Graduates are registered with the international Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Registry (WABR), which records the course of training and grants professional authorizations in the field of aquatic bodywork.
Registration is completed through the institute and is subject to meeting all program requirements, providing proof of a qualification for bodywork, and paying the registration fees in accordance with the registry’s current rules.
The authorization obtained is internationally recognized. The conditions for professional practice vary from country to country according to local legislation.
Investment
Core course fees
The program will be paid through annual tuition, with the option of quarterly installments. If you are not yet ready to commit to the full training, individual courses can also be taken separately.
| Course | Duration | EUR | CZK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watsu® 1 | 50 h | 690 € | 16 800 Kč |
| ↳ Watsu® Basic | 16 h | 210 € | 5 100 Kč |
| ↳ Watsu® Transition Flow | 34 h | 480 € | 11 700 Kč |
| Watsu® 2 | 50 h | 690 € | 16 800 Kč |
| Watsu® 3 | 50 h | 690 € | 16 800 Kč |
Watsu® 1 can be completed separately as Basic and Transition Flow — the total price is the same. A registration fee of €20 / CZK 500 is charged for each course.
Included in the price
- course tuition
- study materials
- light refreshments during the course
Not included in the price
- accommodation and meals
- pool rental — divided among participants at the end of the course according to the number of attendees
Discounts, can be combined: 10% for auditors who have already completed the course (with at least 6 students enrolled in the course) · 10% for members of the Watsu Slovensko and Watsu for Health associations.
After the program
Where you can go next
Watsu® Practitioner is not the end of the journey. After obtaining it, you can continue toward the levels of Watsu® Assistant and later Watsu® Instructor. Maintaining active authorization includes continuing education in the scope defined by the international registry.
Frequently asked questions
What you ask most often
Can I really apply without massage therapy training?
Yes. You only need a professional touch qualification to practice independently, and you can complete it during the program.
Do I need to know how to swim?
No. You do not need to know how to swim — this applies to both the provider and the receiver. The entire session takes place in a pool approximately 120 cm deep. However, it is important to feel comfortable in the water and not be tense or stressed.
Do I need my own pool?
No. Training takes place in pools that meet the requirements for aquatic therapy work.
How long does the program actually take?
The standard duration is 24 months. However, the program allows you to complete modules at different times and, where justified, to adjust the pace.
Will you recognize a course I completed elsewhere?
Yes. Courses completed with other certified instructors within WABA can be recognized.
What language is the training conducted in?
Primarily in Czech and Slovak. Advanced modules taught by international instructors are conducted in English, always with professional interpretation.
Would you like to apply to the program?
Complete the application form and we will contact you with the next steps. Payment is made by bank transfer based on the instructions we send you.