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

location:

Katikati, Bay of Plenty

teacher:

Autumn Falk

Elevate your healing practice with our transformative Shiatsu Massage Certificate Program.
Join us today and unlock your potential!
Open to complete beginners to Shiatsu and bodywork.
Train towards becoming a professional Shiatsu Practitioner.
Part-time, weekend study for 1 year, and self-paced online components.
Pre-requisite: completion of an introductory weekend Shiatsu Retreat.

What you will learn

This certificate course 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 their 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 their own hands-on Shiatsu practice

COURSE FEES & PAYMENT

The regular price is $4997 for the year. 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
      • wholesome nutritious catering during the weekend course modules (morning tea, lunch & afternoon teas)
      • lifetime access to the online platform including all course handouts and reading materials, feedback, and submitted work

Payment plans are available for students who wish to pay monthly or weekly. A deposit is payable at the time of enrolment with the weekly and monthly payments starting before course commencement. Please see payment plan details by choosing a plan below.

 

REGISTER NOW!

Pay deposit now

$997

or pay in full

$4997

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Pre-requisites

Students must complete at least one Weekend Shiatsu Retreat with Shiatsu Bodywork Academy prior to registering for the Shiatsu Certificate Training.

View Seasonal Shiatsu Retreats

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

      • Attend all 10 weekend courses/modules
      • 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.

"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

Modules dates

  • Module 1: Thursday 18th September – Sunday 21st September 2025 (Thurs-Sun = 4 full days)
  • Module 2: Friday 10th – Sunday 12th October 2025
  • Module 3: Friday 7th – Sunday 9th November 2025
  • Module 4: Friday 5th – Sunday 7th November 2025
  • Module 5: Friday 30th January – Sunday 2nd February 2025
  • Module 6: Friday 27th February – Sunday 1st March 2025
  • Module 7: Friday 27th – Sunday 29th March 2025
  • Module 8: Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd May 2025
  • Module 9: Friday 22nd – Sunday 24th May 2025
  • Module 10: Friday 19th – Sunday 21st June 2025

Times:

  • Module 1: Thursday-Sunday, 9am til 6pm
  • Modules 2-10: Fridays 4pm til 8pm, Saturdays and Sundays 9am til 6pm

Tutorials are on Monday nights after each Module (1-7 and 9 only) at 4pm til 7pm (optional, but highly recommended)

Catering needs
Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are provided for full course days.

There will be 2 short breaks for morning and afternoon tea and one hour for lunch.

During the evening class on Fridays, we offer a light supper and a short break sometime between 6 and 7pm.

During the Monday afternoon tutorials, afternoon tea will be provided.

All food provided will be 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.

Payment options

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

Monthly Payment Plan:
Pay a deposit of $997, then

  • $400 monthly (x10 installments), or
  • $100 weekly (x40 installments)

with payment installments starting in September 2025.

Total Payable: $4997

 

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.