Questions about Ako Torowhānui
Stepping into wananga ~ sacred learning spaces is super vulnerable, so it makes sense that you would have lots of questions!
You can enter the Ako Torowhānui space for 1 weekend connection, or weave with our waka for longer & engage in 400-hours.
What is the difference between Romiromi & Mirimiri?
MiriMiri is a powerful energy form that can also be felt through the hands and massage (although it’s not massage). It’s the foundational piece of all Māori Healing work, as this is the energy of aroha ~ love.
RomiRomi, is a deeper vital point body work form. Roimata and Haemata ~ vital points are focused on with the use of elbows, legs, and knees. This form is mostly practiced with clothes on.
Here’s a video explaining RomiRomi:
I personally practice MiriMiri and RomiRomi together.
Yet these are taught in wananga separately to allow you to understand the distinction of the energetics and to build more of the form that calls most to you.
Some people are more drawn to RomiRomi, and others are more drawn towards MiriMiri. I have seen that each trainee tends to lean towards one practice or the other at the end of their training, depending on their practice, prior training, and ability to hold the deeper pressure work.
What is the structure of the training?
You can undertake a Romiromi or Mirimiri wananga ~ training as a stand-alone experience or weave with us longer to receive certification that allows you to practice globally (with some additional requirements in the US).
You are able to complete your 400-hours by only attending the 2 weekend trainings and engaging in peer calls, case studies & at-home practitioner however – many people choose to do other wananga ~ online & in person which do have additional costs for attendance (details below).
What is the structure of the 2 or 3-day training?
The two compulsory wananga are Mirimiri and Romiromi focuses deep pressure work and integration of that energy and RomiRomi ~ a deeper pressure form.
MiriMiri ~ a powerful energy practice, that we also share as a healing hands form.
Romiromi
Each training is unique depending on the needs of the group – however the entire training is experiential, extremely hands on and it does encourage you to open up & share your experiences for the purpose of growth.
We incorporate cultural ceremony with a focus on an introduction to spiritual protection, learning bodywork techniques and sequences beginning with RomiRomi & incorporating MiriMiri and Purea.
The strucutre of a weekend can change depending on the needs of the group – however each weekend will cover.
♡ Opening / Poroporoaki ~ introducing each other, the space, clarifying the needs, safety & expectations of the container.
♡ Learning about whakanoa & whakatau ~ groundedness & neutrality, these are core tennants of the Ako Torowhānui practice.
♡ Selected Matauranga about the whakapapa of the practice, atua ~ energies of the practice.
♡ 2 x demonstrations on various techniques
♡ Giving and receiving
What is the structure of the 400-hour training?
Although many people come for a weekend for their own healing & growth, to become endorsed & complete your 400-hours. The compulsory part includes: 2 compulsory wananga ~ trainings (Romiromi & Mirimiri)
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- 3 Case studies (these can be done written or verbally – via voice note)
- Ongoing reflections – written or voicenote
- Creating an intake form.
What’s the average time to complete the 400-hours if you are regularly practicing?
This is a self-paced course and 400-hours typically 1-2 years, depending on your life, capacity & engagement.
What are the costs for this training?
The exchange for the wananga changes depending on the number of days & location.
Please check the event details for specific prices, although the exchange will generally range from $950 – $2,250 AUD with a $200 deposit (non-refundable).
Costs do not include accommodation, transport or flights.
Are there payment plans?
Customised payment plans are available ~ I’m fairly flexible with payment plans, so after your deposit is paid, you can pay an amount and sequence that suits you, enabling this training to be accessible to you.
Some people pay $100 or $200 a fortnight and others pay $400 a month, just let me know and you can either set that up as an automatic debit or I can invoice you via square ~ just let me know which you prefer! ♡
Additional Wananga
Are there any other costs to complete the full 4oo-hours?
You are able to complete your 400-hours by only attending the 2 weekend trainings and engaging in peer calls, case studies & at-home practitioner however – many people choose to do other wananga ~ online & in person which do have additional costs for attendance.
Each additional training / wananga does have additional costs for attendance.
However, it is possible to complete your full 400-hours after completing the Romiromi and Mirimiri Wananga.
Any additional specialised modules have costs for their completion, however you are able to achieve your hours without undertaking these modules.
Other areas where additional costs may arise include if you choose to attend advanced or additional Wananga.
- Optional wananga are:
In-person
Kōpu Huri ~ Weaving with the womb (2-days) - Mahi-i-te-Papa ~ Floor work (2-days)
- Online – 13-week weavings
- Raranga Tipua ~ weaving into the heavens
- Raranga Maiorangi ~ Weaving with the kaitiaki of the body
- Raranga Tinana ~ Weaving with the vital points of the body
- Raranga Pono ~ Weaving with the voice & vital points of the necks
- Ako Ohaoha ~ Flourishing money, business & creativity
Any wananga hours can contribute to your training, yet will have a fee.
In the instances you decide to travel with us for Aroha Healing days or festivals (sharing with the community), you will cover your own costs.
- Other costs which may arise include:
- Optional koha for practice days & practitioner days
- Costs for shared kai ~ lunches
- If you choose to buy other resources to support your own journey (massage equiptment etc.)
Yet there are no obligations for these.
Kōpu Huri ~ Womb Weaving wananga
Kōpu Huri and womb weaving are terms used within some Māori and Indigenous healing practices to describe forms of energetic and physical healing that centre around the womb (kōpu) — the space of creation, intuition, and ancestral memory.
Kōpu = womb, Huri = to turn, transform, or shift
Kōpu Huri can be understood as “turning the womb” or “shifting the womb space.” It refers to:
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Realignment of the womb (physically, energetically, and spiritually)
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Releasing trauma, stagnation, or held emotions within the womb space
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Returning to balance and restoring mauri (life force) in the pelvic bowl
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Inviting reconnection with whakapapa (ancestral lines) and intuition held in the body
This may involve hands-on bodywork, breath, sound, prayer/karakia, and deep presence.
Do I need to bring anything to the training?
Things to begin preparing to bring (please don’t worry if you don’t have one as we will have spares):
- 6 x towels
- Any sacred taonga ~ sacred objects or treasures you would like to weave into our space.
- A notebook.
- A floor cushion or bolster to sit on (there will be chairs, yet I prefer to sit on the floor)
- Massage table (if you have one)
- Water
- Your spirit, openness, energy & essence.
- Food to share on the sixth day.
- Bathers, in case we do a puree, cleansing ceremony (this is not included in every wananga)
Are there any pre-requisites for Ako Torowhānui: Māori Healing Training?
There are no bodywork pre-requisites for this training.
Although an open-mind, a curious spirit and a respect for all cultures is required. I do ask that you agree to follow group agreements for this training, including confidentiality, respect for others.
Is this teaching registered with ACC in Aotearoa, New Zealand?
No, unfortunately, I live and work in Boorlo, Perth, Western Australia and the training is not affiliated with ACC in Aotearoa. – Ako Torowhānui: Māori sits outside of the ACC system.
Having said that, Ako Torowhānui: Māori Healing Training is registered with the International Institute of Complimentary Therapists (IICT), which allows you to practice in Aotearoa in this capacity.
Feedback received from many who have learned in Aotearoa is that the teachings gained through these wananga are also valuable and uplifting resources for your life, empowerment & growth.
What would I gain from doing this course? Upon completion of the intensive days does it qualify me to be able to practice this on others? Or is this for personal growth?
The intensive are primarily a preparation for the work required to practice this modality and consists of hours towards your 400-hour requirement to become a fully endorsed practitioner (hours are variable depending on the days and location completed).
During the intial intensive, our focus is placed on building an understanding of the energetics of your own intuition, Whakanoa ~ neutrality, spiritual safety and how you can begin to incorporate these into your way of life. Or you may simply feel the call to see if this is a pathway for you. As a practice Māori Healing can be quite involved, so some people need to take some time to integrate, do some of their own personal development and so on
These days are primarily a preparation for the work required to practice this modality.
An outline of the training requirements will be updated here soon:
Will I be ready to practice at the end of the training?
This training is not a typical Western Training and is taught in a Māori framework.
After your intensive, you would have completed 50-hours training and are considered a “student practitioner.” You are able to complete your clinic days and case studies.
Some people feel confident to begin completing their case studies after the intensive. Whereas, others know they need some more work and support to be ready.
This varies from person-to-person and I do my best to support you within my capacity.
I also encourage you to draw on the knowledge and wisdom of your peers and Ako Torowhānui: Māori Healing Training alumni.
Depending on your starting point, you may also feel you require more training or personal development and are ready after a longer time.
This is really different from person-to-person. In all examples there are opportunities to continue weaving and receiving mentoring.
While you’re practicing and collecting your hours, I do encourage people to do these hours for Koha ~ or donation until they feel open to charging.
Will I learn Takahia-O-Tinana ~ use feet in this training?
Takahia-o-Tinana is not our focus for our intensive and is shared in an additional optional wananga.
You may observe some aspects of walking the body in our time together, and floor work is encouraged for flexibility as we transition between both during our time together.
Although I will encourage you to practice using different body parts during the intensive, this is not our focus.
Our focus is learning the fundamentals and exploring the body in different ways. Being familiar with these different techniques and using different body parts enables us to work with different bodies at different times depending on what the client – co-creator needs.
If you are invited to use feet for bodywork, mahi-i-te-papa it is helpful to have rākau, taiaha, turupou, a stick, a wall, the roof, a chair or another practitioner (on Koha Healing Days) to support you.
What support do I receive after completing an Ako Torowhānui Wananga?
Once you have done a training through Ako Torowhānui, you are always a part of our Ako Torowhānui: Māori Healing waka ~ canoe if you have done a training with us.
Having said that, afterwards I will have a discussion with each person about what supports you need and your intentions with the practice and if it aligns with you.
If you choose to go down the practitioner pathway, our intensive consists of 50-hours that go towards your 400-hours endorsement. The 400-hours takes most people around 1-2 years, and options to gain hours include at home practice, Practitioner days, Aroha Healing Days (where possible), Peer-to-peer calls and reflections.
♡ Access to the Ako Torowhānui: Student Membership Site
♡ Access to the Ako Torowhānui: Māori Healing Practitioner Facebook Group
♡ Access to updates on booklets and training resources
♡ Access to webinars, interviews and resources to support your practice
♡ Access to webinars, interviews and resources to support your business
♡ Practice mentoring & support following the training
♡ Peer-to-peer calls once a month
♡ A 2-hour coaching call prior to your 400-hours being completed to work on a topic or area of your choice (this can be taken in person, or online)
Can Māori and non-Māori do this training?
Yes. This is a Māori ~ cultural practice and is taught with Māori ritual throughout, although Māori and non-Māori are welcome.
If you are drawn to this training, I ask that all those who attend have respect for each other, a curious and open heart and are willing to learn.
Can men and women do this training?
Yes men and women can take this training.
Are there any other learning formats available?
I offer one-on-one training that is undertaken over a period of agreed time. These costs will be discussed with you individually and based on one-to-one coaching pricing
