Shiatsu Certificate Program

Become a Qualified Shiatsu Practitioner

The Shiatsu Certificate, which makes up the first year of the Diploma in Shiatsu Therapy, is the first step of your pathway to becoming a qualified Shiatsu practitioner.

Your Shiatsu Journey

This course is also a personal journey… A journey on which you learn new ways of thinking, explore who you are, and how you connect with others and your surroundings.

A journey of learning

You will gain an understanding of the cycles in nature and life, as seen through the lens of Shiatsu and its underlying foundations in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Find out more now!

If you’ve dreamed of a career in massage, Shiatsu could be the modality you are dreaming of!

The perfect combination of ancient wisdom paired with a modern understanding of anatomy, physiology, and psychology.

date:

September 2025 – June 2026

(see dates below)

location:

ŌKAUHAU, NORTHLAND

(just 15mins from Bay of Islands / Kerikeri Airport)

teacher:

Autumn Falk,

and other specialist teachers

Elevate your healing practice with our Transformative full immersion retreat-style Shiatsu Certificate Program.

Connect and train towards becoming a professional Shiatsu Practitioner.

Enjoy 5 one-week retreat-style full immersion courses with all meals provided.

10-month program, with part-time, self-paced learning between retreats.

Full online and phone guidance and support, monthly group calls, and daily reflective practice.

What you will learn

This Certificate Training in Shiatsu aims to equip participants with the foundational knowledge and practical skills required to apply basic Shiatsu techniques on friends and family, for relaxation, wellness, and enjoyment.

You will also learn in-depth self-Shiatsu techniques for your own wellbeing, and understand the principles of Shiatsu and oriental health as applied in your own life. Additionally, if you are a bodywork practitioner or therapist, you can integrate Shiatsu therapy principles into your established modalities.

Over the course of one year, you will engage in a range of activities, including:

      • Learning the anatomy and physiology of the human body
      • Studying the basic elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as it relates to Shiatsu in theory and practice, including the five elements, meridians, and yin/yang
      • Discovering the 12 meridians, their location on the body, and their treatment options
      • Becoming familiar with contra-indications and cautions of Shiatsu therapy
      • Experiencing various self-Shiatsu exercises and techniques
      • Learning techniques for mobilizing, stretching, and transitioning clients during Shiatsu treatments
      • Learning and practicing self-care as a practitioner, including positioning as a giver and developing your own wellness plan
      • Gaining an understanding of a more holistic and integrated way of thinking
      • Developing a deeper understanding of oriental practices, discovering meditation techniques, and embarking on a journey of self-exploration
      • Being guided in your own hands-on Shiatsu practice

REGISTER NOW!

We are excited to get you started… make your deposit now to secure your spot!

Awww… you’ve missed the discount! Sorry. But you can still register.

Monthly Payment Plan

Deposit

$997

Pay with Payment Plans

Cert 2025-2026 (Monthly)

Initial Payable: $497

Total Payable: $5497

Pay a deposit of $497, then $500 monthly (x10 installments) starting in September 2025.

View more

Payment Amount Payment Date
$497 13-05-2025
$500 01-09-2025
$500 01-10-2025
$500 01-11-2025
$500 01-12-2025
$500 01-01-2026
$500 01-02-2026
$500 01-03-2026
$500 01-04-2026
$500 01-05-2026
$500 01-06-2026

Weekly Payment Plan

Deposit

$497

Pay with Payment Plans

Cert 2025-2026 (Weekly)

Initial Payable: $497

Total Payable: $5497

Pay a deposit of $497, followed by $125 weekly (x40 installments) starting in September 2025.

View more

Payment Amount Payment Date
$497 13-05-2025
$125 01-09-2025
$125 08-09-2025
$125 15-09-2025
$125 22-09-2025
$125 29-09-2025
$125 06-10-2025
$125 13-10-2025
$125 20-10-2025
$125 27-10-2025
$125 03-11-2025
$125 10-11-2025
$125 17-11-2025
$125 24-11-2025
$125 01-12-2025
$125 08-12-2025
$125 15-12-2025
$125 22-12-2025
$125 29-12-2025
$125 05-01-2026
$125 12-01-2026
$125 19-01-2026
$125 26-01-2026
$125 02-02-2026
$125 09-02-2026
$125 16-02-2026
$125 23-02-2026
$125 02-03-2026
$125 09-03-2026
$125 16-03-2026
$125 23-03-2026
$125 30-03-2026
$125 06-04-2026
$125 13-04-2026
$125 20-04-2026
$125 27-04-2026
$125 04-05-2026
$125 11-05-2026
$125 18-05-2026
$125 25-05-2026
$125 01-06-2026

One-time Payment

Quick & simple

$5997

Quick and simple.

Get it sorted with a one-time up-front.

Nothing to think about for the rest of the year.

Just turn up, study, and enjoy the journey!

 

 

 

This price includes:

      • all tuition & instruction (except external courses: Anatomy & Physiology and First Aid Certificate), including 10 weekend modules, and tutorials
      • all student support during the course: 10 coaching calls, online written feedback on work submitted, dedicated individual communication thread for student support
      • all course materials & handouts in paper copies and online
      • wholesome, nutritious, plant-based catering during the Retreat Modules
      • Free camping accommodation on site for the Retreat Modules, in your own tent or vehicle, or in the teaching space (Marae-style)
      • lifetime access to the online platform including all course handouts and reading materials, feedback, and submitted work
Pre-requisites

Students must complete at least one Weekend Shiatsu Retreat with Shiatsu Bodywork Academy prior to registering for the Shiatsu Certificate Training. This is to ensure that you understand the style of teaching and can assess whether this is the right path for you.

View Seasonal Shiatsu Retreats

Certification

To be eligible for the graduation certificate, participants must complete the following requirements:

      • Attend all courses/modules (5x week-long intensives)
      • Gain 30+ hours of practical experience with Shiatsu sessions
      • Complete 100+ hours of basic anatomy and physiology (through external distance learning or a local provider)
      • Obtain a NZ registered level 2 First Aid Certificate
      • Complete 150-200 hours of self-directed learning, reading, and assignments, including self-reflective practice
Study Pathway
The Certificate Program is the first year of our 3-year Diploma in Shiatsu Therapy. In the first year, you will learn the principles of shiatsu, in-depth shiatsu techniques and the application of shiatsu for wellness.

After completion of the Certificate Program, students can choose to continue their Diploma Training, to learn more advanced Shiatsu techniques, oriental diagnosis, therapeutic applications for Shiatsu, as well as the deeper knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine underlying Shiatsu. The Diploma also equips students to find their own Shiatsu style and their own pathway into a healing career using Shiatsu Therapy.

Join us today and unlock your potential!

"This course helped me both personally and professionally, for understanding myself and where I want to take my working life"

"I would recommend the course to people interested in shiatsu"

"Self care and self learning all rolled into one."

"What a great practice and learning to ground into the body and learn about facilitating balance"

" I loved the mix of Oriental and Western wisdom, and both the simplicity and complexity of it all."

"It was accessibly delivered, with attention to detail, and within a beautiful environment."

Course Module Dates

Course Dates (2025–2026)

Module 1
23–28 September 2025 (Tue–Sun)

Module 2
11–16 November 2025 (Tue–Sun)

Module 3
27 January – 1 February 2026 (Tue–Sun)

Module 4
14–19 April 2026 (Tue–Sun)

Module 5
2–7 June 2026 (Tue–Sun)

Retreat Timing

  • Arrival (Tuesdays): from 2:00 PM
  • Course Start: 4:00 PM on Tuesday
  • Daily: Full immersion program with all meals included
  • Departure (Sundays): Course closes at 2:30 PM
Accommodation & Catering

All meals are provided and fully catered with love by Jenni.

All food is free of animal products, and gluten-free options are available. Please let us know if you are celiac or have other dietary requirements or allergies.

 

Your stay includes free camping accommodation or Marae-style sleeping in the teaching space.

Please bring your own tent or camping vehicle and everything you need for your comfort in a tent or marae-style sleeping space (camping mat or mattress, sleeping bag or bedding, torch, mosquito net, etc…)

For site information and accommodation upgrade options and bookings, see our retreat website (coming soon).

Payment options

Payment plans are available for students who wish to pay monthly or weekly.

Monthly Payment Plan:
Pay a deposit of $997 (or discounted $497), then

  • $500 monthly (x10 installments), or
  • $125 weekly (x40 installments)

… installment payments starting from September 2025.

Total Payable: $5997 (or $5497 discounted)

 

We accept payments via

  • paypal
  • credit card
  • direct bank transfer
Cancellation Policy
With 14 days notice, we will assist you to:

  • transfer your booking to the same course held at a later date, or
  • credit your payment toward another course of your choice, or
  • transfer your booking to another person

Refunds and other options by personal arrangement.

Courses canceled by Shiatsu Bodywork Academy are eligible for refunds.

See our full return and refund policy

Experience the transformative power of shiatsu.

Start your Journey Today.