Training Course
Healing Dance® 1
Healing Dance is a rhythmic journey where movement restores balance, awakens the soul, and sets the body free.
Immerse yourself in the healing embrace of water and experience movement in an entirely new way. Developed by Alexander George in 1993, Healing Dance is more than just a technique—it is an invitation to let go, trust, and be carried by the natural flow of water. Through gentle waves, spirals, and stretches, the body finds a profound sense of lightness and release, while the mind drifts into a state of deep relaxation and presence.
Healing Dance® I marks a transformative shift in the understanding of aquatic bodywork. It invites the practitioner to recognize the body not merely as an object in water, but as an organic, hydrodynamic being—innately attuned to the aquatic environment and capable of healing through the seamless, flowing rhythms of movement
Healing Dance® 1
Healing Dance® I recognizes that the psyche requires not only nurturing and closeness, but also space, freedom, and the acceptance of authentic self-expression. More than anything else, Healing Dance I is the wave. The sequence features seven full-body waves and incorporates a dynamic blend of circles, figure eights, and releases—all balanced by the stillness of positional sanctuaries and seamlessly interwoven with flowing transitions.
The study of body mechanics extends beyond the foundational Horse and Warrior Stances to include varied walking patterns that enable fluid movement across the pool. Healing Dance principles are introduced on land and embodied in the water, including: moving by example, creative imbalance, flow, the rhythmic field, invisible transitions, and the art of dosing movement.
Participants are also introduced to Relating and Mirroring—the culmination of technical practice—an artful approach to attuning with and accompanying the receiver’s movement impulses and natural unwinding process with sensitivity and presence.
A comprehensive written and photographic manual of the sequence is provided for continued study.
This core course within the Healing Dance® Practitioner Certification consists of 50 hours over 6 days and serves as a prerequisite for Healing Dance II.
13- 19 OCTOBER
Intensive full-day training
POLYNESIA WATSU CENTER
Moorea – French Polynesia
Course Fee: 99,000 XPF
(including pool entry)
7-Day Course
50-Hour International WABA Certification
+
Retreat Package: 99,000 XPF
This package includes :
● Lodging
● Breakfast
● Lunch
● Snacks and water
● Whale watching tour
Note: The retreat package is optional and not included in the course fee.
Inika Spence-Whaley
Senior instructor, teaching all the classes of Healing Dance
I am a senior instructor of Healing Dance® and teach all its core classes, as well as Watsu® I & II and Aquatic Contact Dance. I’ve been practicing aquatic bodywork since 1996, primarily at Harbin Hot Springs, where I worked as a Watsu, WaterDance, and Healing Dance practitioner. Since 1999, I’ve taught both Watsu and Healing Dance, accumulating over 2,800 hours of training and more than 4,500 hours of teaching.
In 2007, I studied Somatic Experiencing, a body-based trauma therapy that now informs my approach to aquatic work, creating a safe space for trauma to surface and gently release. Alongside Diane Tegtmeier, I co-teach Aqua Presence for Trauma, where Healing Dance plays a central role.
During my 20 years at Harbin, I served as Director of the Harbin School of Healing Arts, a massage school specializing in aquatic bodywork. After Harbin’s destruction in 2015, I relocated with my husband to the Big Island of Hawaii, where I continue to teach and offer sessions locally and internationally.
Water has been my element since childhood in Florida, building sandcastles, playing in waves, and later studying Marine Biology. I became a scuba diver in 1971 and worked as a dolphin communication researcher. My journey into aquatic bodywork began after a life-changing Watsu session at Harbin, and I’ve been immersed in it ever since.
Healing Dance became my modality after my first class with Alexander George in 1996. Its fluidity, grace, and therapeutic presence resonated deeply. Over the years, I’ve helped evolve the work, emphasizing relational presence and the healing power of movement and stillness.
My teaching blends experience as a therapist with practices in yoga, dance, tai chi, and meditation, offering students both grounded technique and fluid grace. I currently teach on the Big Island, throughout the Western U.S., and internationally in places like New Zealand, Australia, and Europe. When not in the pool, I love freediving, hiking, birdwatching, and exploring my creativity through abstract art.
POLYNESIA WATSU CENTER
Moorea Island (French Polynesia)
Located on the mystical island of Moorea, the Polynesian Watsu Center is nestled by the serene natural lake of Temae, within a nationally protected area rich in unique flora and fauna.
In 2022, we completed the construction of a 10-meter by 3.5-meter infinity pool, seamlessly integrated into the natural environment. This saltwater therapeutic pool serves as a dedicated space for various aquatic therapy practices, including educational programs and private sessions. The water temperature is maintained at approximately 33°C, creating the perfect setting for water-based therapies.
Our center is situated in the Temae area of Moorea, just five minutes from the iconic Temae Beach, near the golf club and the airport.
We also offer a spacious terrace of over 100 square meters, designed for land-based therapeutic activities and courses. Surrounding our center, you will find more than 100 different plant species, which we nurture with love and passion, ensuring harmony with the natural environment.
Healing Dance® 1:
Program course
Healing Dance® I – 50-Hour International Certification Course
A Core Course on the WABA Practitioner Path and Prerequisite for Healing Dance® II
6-Day Immersive Training in Healing Dance®
Join us for a transformative 6-day program that takes you deep into the world of Healing Dance®. This foundational course blends technical skill with intuitive presence, guiding you into the heart of aquatic bodywork. In this immersive setting, you’ll develop confidence, clarity, and fluency in the language of movement, touch, and flow.
Healing Dance® I provides 50 hours of credit toward the international WABA practitioner path and serves as a prerequisite for Healing Dance® II.
Program Highlights
Each day is a journey toward deeper embodiment, refining your capacity to move with ease, attune to your partner, and create sessions that are both grounded and flowing. You’ll practice in a supportive learning environment where safety, connection, and creativity are prioritized.
The course builds upon foundational aquatic bodywork training, introducing:
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Seven full-body wave movements central to the Healing Dance® sequence
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A repertoire of circles, figure eights, and releases that enhance flow and freedom
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Positional sanctuaries for grounding and rest
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Dynamic transitions that weave movements into seamless sessions
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Advanced body mechanics including pool walking patterns
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The art of dosing movement and using creative imbalance to bring vitality
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Awareness of breath, weight, and rhythmic field for deeper connection
You’ll also begin working with Relating and Mirroring, the core of Healing Dance—learning how to attune to the receiver’s natural movement impulses and support their unfolding process with sensitivity and grace.
Course Objectives
During this training, participants will learn to:
Master the seven full-body wave movements foundational to Healing Dance®.
Expand your aquatic repertoire with circles, figure eights, and creative releases.
Apply key principles such as flow, creative imbalance, and invisible transitions.
Refine body mechanics and incorporate walking patterns across the pool.
Cultivate presence through Relating and Mirroring with the receiver.
Create seamless, flowing sessions with dynamic and intuitive transitions.
Develop safe, responsive touch grounded in breath and weight awareness.
Integrate skills through guided practice, repetition, and supportive feedback.
SCHEDULE
● Day 1: 14:00 – 18:00
● Days 2 to 6: 09:00 – 18:00
(including a 1.5-hour break)
● Day 7: 07:30 – 12:00
(external activity)
● Recreational Activities: Whales Lagoon Tour
Benefits and
How a session works
A Healing Dance session offers deep relaxation, emotional release, and a profound connection with the body. The warm water supports fluid movement, relieving physical tension while calming the mind. Through gentle spirals, stretches, and still moments, the practitioner guides the body into a state of weightlessness and ease. The experience fosters a deep sense of release, allowing both physical and emotional renewal as movement and water blend harmoniously.
Before the session, the participant consults with the practitioner and takes a cleansing shower. In the pool, leg floats are fitted for support, and a short meditation helps transition into relaxation. As the session begins, the practitioner lifts the participant into the water, cradling their head and sacrum while guiding rhythmic movements in sync with their breath. The water acts as a partner, creating a sense of expansion and freedom. If an underwater session is chosen, a nose clip is provided, and careful breath signaling ensures a smooth and safe experience.
The session concludes with a gradual return to an upright position, allowing time to integrate the experience. The participant may share reflections or simply absorb the stillness. Each session is a unique and deeply personal journey, offering healing, release, and a moment of profound peace.
Psychological, Emotional, and Mental Effects
- Induces profound relaxation
- Cultivates joy, restoring your inner source of health, energy, and vitality
- Promotes deep states of gratitude and an ecstatic connection with life
- Strengthens relationships with yourself, your partner, family, and community
- Helps resolve past traumas related to water, birth, and near-drowning experiences
- Enhances mental clarity and focus, improving overall efficiency and inner calm
Physical Effects on the whole body
- Instills deep relaxation and stress relief
- Supports post-traumatic rehabilitation, aiding recovery from fractures and injuries
- Releases physical tension, promoting overall well-being
- Enhances body awareness, fostering a deeper connection with oneself
- Improves flexibility and range of motion
- Stimulates circulation and boosts the lymphatic system
- Relieves chronic pain and muscular stiffnes
Testimonials
What people say about our courses
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Who is this course for?
This course is ideal for bodyworkers, massage therapists, wellness practitioners, movement enthusiasts, and anyone interested in aquatic healing. Those who have completed the Introduction to Healing Dance®
Do I need any previous experience to participate?
Yes. Prerequisite: Introduction to Healing Dance®, Watsu® I, Aquaternatives, or other relevant aquatic experience.
How are the activities structured during the course?
Attending a Healing Dance class may be unlike anything you have ever experienced. It combines experiential learning in the water with cognitive learning on land. In the water you will learn by giving and receiving movements that form a sequence. On land you will review the material you practiced in the water, going over the details and asking any questions you have. Time is also devoted to sharing and exchanging grounding bodywork to balance the hours spent in the water. So, water time alternates with land time throughout the course.
What can I take home after the seminar?
After completing Healing Dance® 1, you’ll be able to give a full-length surface session using various flowing, wave-like movements. You’ll gain confidence, fluidity, and sensitivity in your aquatic touch, as well as a deeper understanding of movement, rhythm, and body mechanics in water.
You’ll receive a detailed manual and an MP4 video to support your ongoing practice. The course also gives you 50 hours of credit toward WABA certification, continuing in the paht to becoming a certified Healing Dance® Practitioner.
Can I work professionally after this course?
The Healing Dance® 1 training is a key step in the professional certification process, but it does not yet allow you to fully practice as a certified practitioner. It provides in-depth mastery of surface movements, a deeper understanding of aquatic bodywork, and serves as a prerequisite for Healing Dance® II, which is an integral part of the complete training path.
To become a professional practitioner, it is necessary to continue the training, notably by completing Healing Dance® I & II, along with the other requirements of the certification program. Healing Dance offers two professional certification tracks:
- Surface Practitioner Certification
- Underwater Practitioner Certification
These certifications are awarded by the Healing Dance Institute and recognized by the Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association (WABA).
This training is therefore a major step forward on the path to certification, offering you powerful tools, deep practice, and a new dimension of presence in the water — but professional recognition requires additional training and official validation.