“I’m so glad shiatsu and I found each other because it really has changed my life. I think your school is brilliant - education with a sense of humour & great support”

The 2-year Diploma Course has been described by some students as a life-changing experience. For many it opens up a new career opportunity as an Equine Shiatsu Practitioner, for others it is a means to discover a part of themselves that may otherwise have remained hidden, an unrealised potential. We quickly establish a very special relationship with students on this course, usually starting with their first serious expression of interest.

Normally we are only able to accommodate a new intake of students in September of each year. However as the course which commenced in September 2007 was oversubscribed we were able to add a new syllabus running from February 2008 until November 2009. Now that this course is up and running we are back to our normal cycle of taking applications for the course commencing in September 2008. We should make it clear that we are now running courses over most weekends during the year and it will not be physically possible to add another new syllabus until September 2009 at the earliest!

We know that enrolling on a 2-year Diploma Course is a major commitment. The course runs at weekends and most of our students combine their studies with a full-time job. They need to allow time for travel and, in many cases, budget for accommodation. We have an excellent network of bed & breakfast establishments in the area and as early as the first weekend lasting friendships are made. Students genuinely look forward to spending time with us and catching up with their fellow course-members on a monthly basis.

Enrolling a student on the 2-year Diploma Course is also a major commitment by Jill and her teaching staff and we like to take the opportunity to meet with students prior to finally accepting their booking. Of course if they have attended a 3-day Foundation Course we have already got to know them very well. If not we like to invite them to attend a 1-day Workshop which will provide an excellent ‘taster’ for what is to come, it also gives us a chance to discuss individual circumstances and agree a payment plan.

You can start the application process any time up until 30th June but do bear in mind that our most recent courses have become full very quickly. We no longer take deposits but we may suggest that you complete a standing order mandate which will enable you to spread the cost of your tuition over the period of your course. Typically you can make 24 monthly payments, commencing 1st July 2008 and ceasing 1st June 2010 when you qualify. Alternatively you can pay for each year’s tuition in full by cheque or credit card on or before 1st September, in this case we will ask for a non-refundable deposit of £100 which will be deducted from your up-front payment.

We normally finalise the dates for the 1st year syllabus by 30th June which enables you to forward plan until June of the following year. We will encourage you to prepare for your course by dipping into the recommended book list and of course keep an eye on our web-site which will give you an insight into the art of shiatsu and related topics. When your course starts your Group will have a password-protected area on the web-site so that you can download relevant documents in advance of your monthly sessions. We rely on e-mail for communicating with our students and you should log onto your e-mail system as often as possible and also use it as a basis of communication with your fellow-students. All of this is good practice for when you become an equine shiatsu practitioner.

And of course we are always at the end of a telephone and you can drop in to see us if you are in the area. We hope that, after reading this, you will want to start your equine shiatsu journey with us. Either fill in the application form or give us a call, either way we’d love to hear from you!

“I’m so glad I know you guys and you’ve allowed me to experience what I have, equine shiatsu is wonderful!”