Do I need previous experience in Shiatsu or Traditional Chinese Medicine?

No. The program is structured to guide you step by step. Many students begin with no prior experience and start from Level 1, building skills progressively.

Can I work with clients after completing Level 1?

After Level 1, students are qualified to begin practicing with family, friends, and first clients to build experience. Professional practice expands further in Level 2 and Level 3.

What certificate or diploma will I receive?

You receive a Certificate of Completion after each level. Completing all three levels qualifies you as a fully trained Shiatsu practitioner.

Can I study if I live outside Costa Rica?

Yes. Many students travel to Costa Rica to study, especially through the residential format. The program is designed for both local and international students.

What language is the program taught in?

The program is taught primarily in English, with support available in Spanish when needed.

Do I need any equipment?

No. Shiatsu is practiced using your hands, body mechanics, and presence. No machines or tools are required.

How do I choose the right level or format?

If you’re new, start with Level 1. If you already have experience in bodywork or Shiatsu, you may be eligible to enter at a higher level. You can choose the study format that best fits your lifestyle.

Is this training suitable as a full-time or part-time path?

Both. You can build your practice gradually alongside other work or commit fully to training, depending on your chosen format.

Simply choose your level and complete your enrollment through the website. Once enrolled, you’ll receive all next steps and preparation details.

Study Shiatsu & Traditional Chinese Medicine in Costa Rica

Professional training based in Uvita with flexible study formats for locals and international students.

Learn real therapeutic skills grounded in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Train through a clear 3-level professional pathway with hands-on practice

Graduate ready to work with clients anywhere in the world

Founded by

Glauco Donati

Glauco Donati became a certified Shiatsu practitioner in 2000 and has since dedicated 25 years to the study and teaching of body–mind therapies.

Is This Program Right for You?

You will feel at home here if you are:

Looking to change careers into something more human, grounded, and purposeful
Interested in holistic health, Traditional Chinese Medicine, or body-based therapies
A wellness professional (massage therapist, yoga teacher, bodyworker, therapist) wanting to expand your tools and deepen your practice
Seeking a profession that allows you to build a stable income while working independently, from anywhere in the world
Attracted to a path where your skills are portable, in demand, and not tied to one location or office
Living in Costa Rica or planning to study abroad in a peaceful, nature-based environment
A complete beginner, ready to start from strong foundations and grow step by step

No previous experience in Shiatsu or TCM is required, the program is structured to guide you from the basics to professional practice through clear levels and supervised training.

What You Will Gain From Our Courses

By completing the training, you will:

Learn how to perform structured, effective Shiatsu treatments based on Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understand how to work with meridians, Yin–Yang balance, Five Elements, and organ systems
Develop the ability to read the body, recognize patterns, and adapt treatments to each client
Build confidence through hands-on practice and supervised sessions
Gain a clear, step-by-step professional pathway through three progressive levels
Be prepared to work with clients independently and generate stable income using only your hands and knowledge
Carry a skill that is portable, respected, and usable anywhere in the world
Experience deeper awareness of your own body, posture, stress patterns, and energy

This is training that supports both your career and your quality of life.

Your Learning Path: Three Levels to Professional Practice

Our training follows a clear, progressive structure designed to take you from beginner to professional practitioner. Step by step, without overwhelm. You can enroll level by level or commit to the full journey.

1

Level One
Foundations of Shiatsu & Traditional Chinese Medicine

Your entry point into Shiatsu.

Learn a complete basic Shiatsu treatment sequence
Understand the foundations of TCM: Yin–Yang, Five Elements, Zang-Fu, meridians
Develop correct posture, pressure, and body mechanics
Begin practicing safely with family, friends, and first clients

120 total hours (60 in-class + 60 home practice)
Certificate of Completion

2

Level Two
Certified Shiatsu Practitioner

Where your practice becomes professional.

Learn TCM diagnostics and pattern recognition
Work with the 12 Classical & Zen meridians and acupuncture points
Build therapeutic treatment strategies for real conditions
Practice professionally with confidence and structure

205 total hours (105 in-class + 100 home practice)
Professional Practitioner Certificate

3

Level Three
Advanced Clinical Shiatsu Therapist

Your final step toward mastery.

Advanced diagnostics and complex case work
Emotional and energetic integration
Advanced meridian combinations and treatment planning
Professional ethics and long-term client care

205 total hours (105 in-class + 100 home practice)
Advanced Clinical Therapist Certification

Choose the Study Format That Fits Your Life

We understand that everyone’s life is different.
That’s why each level of the program can be completed in three flexible study formats, all leading to the same certification and professional outcomes.

Residential Intensive

For students who want full immersion and fast progress.

Study in focused blocks in Uvita and surrounding areas
Ideal for international students or those traveling to Costa Rica
Learn in a calm, natural environment surrounded by rainforest and ocean
Allows you to dedicate yourself fully to training without daily distractions

Weekly Format

For those living in Costa Rica who prefer steady integration.

One training day per week
Easy to combine with work, family, or other studies
Time between classes to practice and integrate skills gradually
Strong continuity with teachers and classmates

Weekend Format

For busy professionals and career changers.

Training on weekends
Designed to fit around full-time jobs and weekday responsibilities
Structured learning without pausing your current life
Popular with wellness professionals and expats

Why Shiatsu Academy CR?

There are many places to learn bodywork. Few offer a complete professional path built on real clinical experience.

Built by a working practitioner

The program is created and led by Glauco Donati, with over 25 years of practice in Shiatsu and Traditional Chinese Medicine. What you learn is used daily with real clients not just taught in classrooms.

Practice-focused training

From the start, the emphasis is on hands-on work:

partner practice
supervised sessions
real treatment logic
So you graduate able to work, not just with theory.

Clear professional structure

You don’t follow random workshops. You progress through a 3-level system designed to take you from beginner to professional practitioner, with defined skills, hours, and certifications at each stage.

Location that supports learning

Training takes place in Uvita, Costa Rica. A calm, focused environment known for wellness and holistic living, attracting students from around the world.

Meet the Founder

This program is guided by people who actively work in the field, not just teach it.

Glauco Donati, Founder & Lead Instructor

Glauco has over 25 years of professional experience practicing Shiatsu and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
He became a certified Shiatsu practitioner in 2000 and has worked with thousands of clients across different countries.

His teaching is grounded in real clinical work, combining:

Shiatsu and meridian-based treatment
Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnostics
Body mechanics, anatomy, and movement awareness

The program reflects the way he actually works with clients: structured, practical, and results-oriented.

The Teaching Team

Students are supported by an international team of practitioners with backgrounds in:

Shiatsu and bodywork
Massage therapy and movement practices
Holistic health and therapeutic touch

This ensures students receive guidance, feedback, and different perspectives throughout their training.

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What’s Included in Your Enrollment

When you enroll in a program at Shiatsu Academy CR, you receive a complete training experience, not just access to classes.

Your enrollment includes:

All in-person classes for the level you choose
Hands-on practice sessions with classmates under guidance
Supervised training and ongoing feedback from instructors
Access to the full curriculum for your level, including theory and practical components
Home study and practice assignments where applicable
A Certificate or Diploma upon successful completion of each level
Guidance on progression to the next level of training

The program is designed so you can focus on learning and practicing, without needing special equipment. Your hands, presence, and understanding are the core tools.

Each level builds clearly on the previous one, giving you a structured and reliable path toward professional practice.

Frequently asked questions

Ready to Begin Your Path?

If you feel drawn to Shiatsu, this is more than curiosity, it’s an opportunity to build a real, usable skill that supports both your life and your work.

This training offers you:

A clear professional pathway from beginner to practitioner
Practical, hands-on skills grounded in Traditional Chinese Medicine
The ability to work independently and generate a stable, sustainable income
A profession you can carry with you and practice anywhere in the world, without equipment or fixed locations
A discipline that supports balance, awareness, and long-term growth

Whether you are looking for a full career change or a way to gradually build a new professional path, this program is designed to support you professionally and personally.

You don’t need to have everything figured out before you start.
You only need to take the first step.