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Aquatic Body Training
Aug 8 - Oct 5, 2026

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Aquatic Dance informed, Aguahara inspired immersion
in
Oakland, California

Unceded territory of the Ohlone people

This program was conceived for movement enthusiasts, somatic explorers, and/or dancers who feel drawn to the aquatic arts and wish to  deeply connect with Water as Medicine.

In this 2-month long container, you will to go deep AND have the space to integrate the work.  Expect to gain and refine aquatic skills such as the art of softening and being danced by warm water;  easeful tools for nervous system down regulation; and biomechanics and hydrodynamics for safely floating a person into surrender.

What makes this training unique is how your aquatic dance practice will inform your presence as an aquatic space holder.  Think improvisational, deep, and intuitive. Join us to cultivate a practice that is highly focused on attuning to the water vs. the moves. 
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If this approach resonates with you, please apply.

You Will Learn

  • Biomechanical principles to float a body

  • Embodied hydrodynamics

  • Deep nervous system down regulation in water

  • Underwater aquatic dance

  • Somatic transmission of aquatic surrender

  • ​Improvisation in surface floating

  • Basic underwater principles and improvisation

The Experience

2 months; most Saturday afternoons; small pod, intimate format. Here are more specifics:

  • 9 weeks of gathering weekly to gradually integrate the training

  • 2 day-long immersions

  • 6 students max for more individualized attention

  • 3 week evening land meetings to discuss, inquire, and digest the material

  • Bonus unsupervised practice hours during the week to hone in your skills

Training Schedule

Opening day-long: Saturday 8/8 | 10am-6pm
Saturday sessions: 8/15, 8/29, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/3 | 2-6pm

Friday on land sessions: 8/21, 9/11, 9/25 | 6-7:30pm

Closing day-long: Sunday 10/4 | 10am-6pm

Non-supervised practice: 4 weekday sessions*

* - students self-organize to practice in duos or trios and book directly with the pool.

The Venue

Holds the Moon Quan Yin Temple is our training host, located at the heart of Oakland, CA, the unceded territory of the Ohlone people, features a 4-foot deep therapy pool kept at ~ 97 degrees F, it is ideal for the practice. 

What people are saying

"João Paulo Pereira brings a wealth of experience, wisdom, and care to this training. Their skilled guidance, deep knowledge of aquatic bodywork, and adaptive, student centered teaching style create a nurturing, transformative environment. They hold space for every participant to grow, offering personalized support that allows you to feel seen and supported on this healing journey. Their passion for the water and for building co-creative community truly makes this training an unforgettable and life-changing experience."

- Kristen Butera, 2024 graduate

Meet the facilitator

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João Paulo Pereira aka ankor

João's relationship with aquatic therapies and dance begun in 2018 on their first Aguahara training, adding to the life-long study of somatic and spiritual practices that they started in their teenage years in Brazil. They have been on a 20+ year mission facilitating movement, breathwork, meditation, and healing. They are excited and humbled to be in service of the deep whisper of the water medicine in other's hearts: softness, presence, freedom, and play. 

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Learn more about it!

Join an Info and Intro Session where you get to chat with João and ask questions to find out if this training is for you, followed by an in-the-pool 3-hour experience of blending aquatic dance with floating another & being floated.
Or, if you can't make it to those, apply and reach out to have a 20-min discovery call to chat with and see if we are a good fit!​​

Investment

$1111

Applications are now open!

Payment plan available: 3 payments of $444 due on the 3rd of Aug, Sept, and Oct.

This Training is Perfect For Those Who Want To...

  • thrive in a learning environment that is at experiential, technical, and intuitive

  • share wisdom with a cohort who already has a foundation in somatics and movement

  • experience individualized learning in an intimate environment

  • feel called to deepen their connection with water as medicine

  • learn and deepen their skill-set for offering 1:1 aquatic experiences

  • feel ready to experience the profound softening and transformation that this work offers

  • learn from, be nourished by, and build aquatic community

Frequently Asked Questions

Get in touch with us!

Drop your info in the form below to stay tuned and ask us any questions.

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