Well Mother Facebook GroupCourses, teaching and information for Midwives, Doulas and Birth Educators
View current schedule (prices, dates, locations)
The full training offered to midwives and childbirth educators is the six-day course. However, shorter courses and presentations are available for those preferring an introduction.
Once the course has been completed, ongoing support is provided through individual supervision, CPD and a message board (this is not a public forum).
If you are interested in attending the course and would like some information for your manager then here is some useful information: Shiatsu for Midwives Managers information pack (pdf)
All courses are available world wide, depending on demand.
On this page:
- Introduction
- 6 Day Course (PREP suitable)
- Study Day
- One Hour Talk
- Lectures
- Shiatsu for Babies
- UK Courses
- Internaional Courses
For more information, you can read a review of the course for midwives by Julie Williams, (Midwife Tutor, University of the West of England), some relevant articles and "Shiatsu for Midwives", a book by Suzanne Yates with Tricia Anderson.
Shiatsu for Midwives, Doulas and Birth Educators - introduction
Shiatsu, massage and touch are powerful tools in supporting women to contact the wisdom of their bodies in pregnancy and birth and for parents to bond early with their developing child. These courses enable you to become familiar with their use both in practical ways and in understanding a different approach to birth which can enhance your practice. You will learn to work in an holistic way, combining Eastern and Western philosophies as well as developing your touch sensitivity skills. There will be time to explore how shiatsu-based skills can support you personally - promoting your own well-being and preventing 'burn-out'.
Some midwives who have already been on the six day courses are currently assessing the effects of their new skills in their midwifery practice. Hopefully, some of their findings will be on this website in the future.
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.
6 day "Shiatsu for Midwives, Doulas and Birth Educators" course
You can attend the first two days of a course at a cost of £140 (£120 early booking) as an introduction before deciding to attend the following four days.
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.
Study Day "Introduction to Shiatsu"
Aims
1. To have a basic understanding of the nature of Shiatsu and its relevance to Midwifery, especially in labour.
2. To learn the use of certain points for labour and be confident in using them in various birth positions.
3. To learn some self development tools: breathing, stretches and touch sensitivity, which enable the development of sensitivity in the use of Shiatsu.
4. To be aware of current policies on the use of complementary therapies in midwifery practice.
One hour talk on Shiatsu and Midwifery
This includes a description of Shiatsu, its view of health and pregnancy, birth and the immediate post partum period and a brief practical demonstration of Shiatsu.
Lectures on complementary therapies and midwifery
Suzanne is resourceful and adaptable. Contact her with your requirements, or she can offer suggestions.
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Shiatsu for babies
Integrating shiatsu skills and awareness into baby massage. A 2 day course, designed for various health professionals. Further details here.
Follow up refresher day; for midwives who have attended the 6 day "Shiatsu for midwives, doulas and birth educators" course
Aims: to provide on-going support and up-dating.
Full list of courses here
Next Courses
6 day course - Shiatsu for Midwives and Doulas
You will learn specific shiatsu skills which you will be able to integrate into your midwifery/birthing practice.
UK Courses
Costs
£395 (early booking discount) or £445
You can attend first two days of course at a cost of £150 (£130 early booking) as an introduction, before deciding to attend the full course. It may be possible for me to run local courses in your area such as lectures at local hospitals.
London
(Wed/Thurs)13/14 October 2010, (Wed/Thur) 8/9 December, (Wed/Thurs) 12/13 January 2011(code: MID/10/UKL) British School of Shiatsu Do
Bristol
Spring 2011 (Wed/Thurs) 9/10 March 2011, (Mon/Tues) 10/11 May 2011, (Wed/Thurs) 15/16 June 2011 (code: MID/11/UKB)
International
Costs
Consult individual organisers
Courses taught in English
Australia Melbourne
7-8 Sept 2010 Midwives
The Australian Shiatsu College
103 Evans Street
Brunswick VIC 3056
Ph: 03 9387 1161 Fax: 03 9387 1191
Email: aushiatsucollege@bigpond.com
www.australianshiatsucollege.com.au
Australia: Inverloch
18- 22 September 2010
6 day course offered as 5 consecutive days
sloanie@gotalk.net.au
Courses taught in French (Suzanne teaches in French)
Paris, France
Shiatsu pour les sages femmes
8/9 novembre 2010 new course begins
Contact details; debritogina@hotmail.com