Well Mother

established in 1990                   

supporting the wisdom of parents and babies

 

Courses for Midwives, Doulas & Birth Educators

- developing sensitive and holistic care in pregnancy, birth, and postnatally 

 

 

Courses for:

Midwives, Doulas and Birth Educators

Shiatsu Practitioners

Massage Therapists

Infant Massage Instructors

CPD

Individual Support for Parents during Pregnancy and Birth

All courses are available world wide, depending on demand. Click here to view current schedule.

Courses, teaching and information for Midwives, Doulas and Birth Educators:

Introduction

Study Day


One Hour Talk

6 Day Course (PREP suitable)

Course Refresher Day


Shiatsu for Babies

Lectures


Click here for information and ordering of "Shiatsu for Midwives", a new book by Suzanne Yates with Tricia Anderson.

You can read some articles written by Suzanne for a more indepth view of the Well Mother approach to pregnancy, birth, early parenting and shiatsu.
Re-defining the role of Shiatsu in Pregnancy, Birth and Babyhood - an article written originally for shiatsu practitioners.
Supporting women with Shiatsu - another tool for Keeping Birth Normal - written originally for midwives.

Go to the articles section to see the full list.

Also, there is a review of a course for midwives by Julie Williams, Midwife Tutor, University of the West of England.


Shiatsu for Midwives, Doulas and Birth Educators

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.

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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.

 

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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.
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6 day "Shiatsu for Midwives, Doulas and Birth Educators" course
(suitable for PREP (UKCC) requirements)

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.

Teacher

Suzanne Yates BA, DipHSEC, MRSS(T)
I began studying shiatsu in 1984, completing the three year professional training with Sonia Moriceau in 1988. Between 1989 and 1994, I assisted her on the professional diploma course. In 1990, I went to Boston, USA to train as an instructor in ante/post-natal exercise with Elizabeth Noble. I am a member of the Avon Maternity Services Liaison Committee. In 1990, I established “Well Mother” to support women and their partners with shiatsu, exercise, relaxation and discussion. I am carrying out my own research into the nature and role of women's wisdom and run various courses for midwives, shiatsu practitioners and complementary therapists (I am also able to teach these in French, Italian and Spanish). I am a registered teacher and practitioner with the Shiatsu Society. I lived what I teach during the pregnancies and births of my own children Rosa Lia (b 1990) and Bram Delaney (b 1995) and continue to grow with them.

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.

Cost
For the UK, the cost is £420. Early booking (ie at least six weeks before) discounts of £375.
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.

*** If you organise a course in your area for a minimum of 10 midwives, you qualify for a free place. You will have some discount on your place if it's a little less than 10. An absolute minimum of 8 participants required for the course to run. ***

Next Courses
All are six day unless specified.

UK and Ireland
Download UK booking form here

London 2008
Mon 6 / Tues 7 October, Mon 3 / Tues 4 November and Tues 9 / Wed 10 December 2008
Course code MID/08/UKL

Bristol 2008
Tues 12 / Wed 13 February, Tues 18 / Wed 19 March and Tues 20 / Wed 21 May 2008
Course code MID/08/UKB

Brighton 2008
Day 3/4, March/April (dates to be arranged) 2008
Course code MID/08/UKBR

Ireland, Wexford 2008
Tues 18 -Wed 19 November 2008, 250 euros

Course code MID/08/IRW

Totnes, Devon 2008
Tues 29 / Wed 30 April 2008
Course code MID/08/UKD

International:

Lausanne, Switzerland
Dates currently being arranged
Residential near Lausanne.
Accompagnement et preparation de la femme enceinte en shiatsu
Contact my.schweizer@bluewin.ch
Tel: (Switzerland) 021 323 03 15 or 021 320 82 00

Les détails en français sont ici

USA, Portland, Oregon
August 2009
Shiatsu for Midwives, Doulas and Birth Educators
Local organiser, Shelly Wagar email: shelly.wagar@gmail.com
Cost: US$27
5

New Zealand, Nelson
8/9 September 2008
Local organiser, Ann Noseworthy email via Suzanne

Australia, Melbourne
16/17 September 2008
Organiser: Australian Shiatsu College email aushiatsucollege@bigpond.au

36, Cambridge Street, Collingwood, Victoria 3066
tel: 03 9419 5520

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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

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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.

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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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Information:

Home page

Practical Suggestions

Articles

Course Projects

Book - Shiatsu for Midwives

Birth Stories

Register of Qualified Practitioners

Research

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