
Canadian Aquatic Rehab Instructors
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CARI_APT
COURSES
CARI offers courses to Rehab professionals in basic and advanced aquatic physical therapy to address all clients therapeutic goals. CARI is able to tailor the aquatic instruction to Rehabilitation facilities, staff and patient population needs. The courses include theory and practice of aquatic therapy techniques, the latest research, use of outcome measures and the development of effective, evidence-based, sustainable programming.
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If you are interested in a specific course presently not on offer, please connect with us.
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If you have a pool that would accommodate a course, please let us know and we can inquire further regarding access/rental.
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If you have a warm water therapy pool and interested in hosting a course, please connect to explore this possibility; advantages include tailoring programs to your patients, advancing your staff, and engaging your community.
Foundational Aquatic Therapy Online Theory Course
Part 1, Click here
CARI, is excited to announce the addition of this Free Online Course. It is 50 minutes and covers the basics of hydrodynamics, applied to rehabilitation. It is offered through Embodia, Canada's largest online continuing education platform for physiotherapists and rehabilitation practitioners. Part 1 is a prerequisite to Part 2 of Foundational Aquatic Therapy - which explores evidence-based practice and provides 3-4 hours of in-pool practice.
Embodia offers a few free courses for all healthcare professionals including the Foundational Aquatic Therapy course. Embodia is a subscription service dedicated to the scholarly practice of PT; sharing the wealth of our Canadian experts and addressing the multi-faceted approach to effective physiotherapy. I encourage you to sign up and consider subscribing to get the most out of your Embodia experience. Contact support@embodiaapp.com for more information.
UPCOMING & CURRENT
COURSE OFFERINGS


Aquatic Therapy for Gait & Balance Retraining
DATE: TBA
LOCATION: TBA
Instructors: Alison Bonnyman, PT, IATFcert/ Audrey Collins, PTA, IATFcert/Catherine Vingerhoets, PT
Questions? - Alison at aquaticrehabpt@gmail.com
The 1.5 hour Online Theory is via Zoom and will refresh hydrodynamics and present research on the effectiveness of aquatic therapy for gait and balance training and fall prevention.
The 4 hour in-pool session applies hydrodynamics and evidence for creative manipulation of depth, turbulence, equipment, stabilization, and suspension. This course will enable you to create, deliver and document aquatic therapy treatments focused on addressing gait, balance and fall prevention incorporating cognition and dual-task training to address fall prevention. This course will provide you with limitless ideas when responding to your patient’s specific gait and balance challenges.
Paediatric Aquatic Therapy
DATE: TBA
LOCATION: TBA
Instructors: Alison Bonnyman, PT, IATFcert
Questions? - Alison at aquaticrehabpt@gmail.com
The 1.5 hour Online Theory is via Zoom and will present research on the effectiveness of aquatic therapy in the paediatric population, and review the specific contraindications and precautions related to hydrodynamics and paediatrics.
This is a 4 hour in-pool session course for therapists who value the enhanced environment of water to facilitate directed, therapeutic play for children with special needs. We will practice 1:1 techniques to engage righting reactions, reduce spasticity, stimulate fine motor control, trunk control and cognitive engagement. Case discussions and problem solving is a collaborative component of this session. The intent is to provide you with limitless ideas to engage your young patients while attaining therapeutic goals in the aquatic environment.
Foundational Aquatic Therapy, Part 2, The Practical
Date: TBA
Instructor:
RSVP: aquaticrehabpt@gmail.com
Cost: $300
Maximum # of participants: 6
This course is the practice of applied hydrodynamics to the physiology of immersion and exercise prescription in order to take full advantage of the immersive benefits for all populations and conditions. Contraindications and precautions are detailed and you learn to modify your exercises and maximize your pool time with individuals with common health conditions. The focus will be on effective, evidence-based treatment programs to address therapeutic goals such as strength, ROM, balance, and function. Instruction will introduce some basic aquatic therapy approaches. This course offers 4+ hours in-pool. Manuals are provided.
All participants are required to complete the 1-hour online Part 1,Foundational Aquatic Therapy course- http://bit.ly/2Te2ezB - prior to this Foundational Part 2 Practicum, Embodia Academy.
Aquatic Therapy Interest Group
In-Pool Session
Date: May 22, 2022 - 3:00pm; Admission to Therapy Pool is $7.21
Location: Clarkson CC, 2475 Truscott Dr, Mississauga
Meet with: Alison Bonnyman, PT
Let's practice aquatic therapy! Bring your questions, practice our techniques! I will be sharing the latest from the Water Specific Therapy Course.
If you have a pool in the GTA that can host a Sunday afternoon meet & splash, please connect at aquaticrehabpt@gmail.com
CARI Aquatic Therapy Courses at
Spray Lakes Family Aquatic Centre,
Cochrane, Alberta
Date: Spray Lakes is available for rental in Fall 2022.
Negotiating dates.
Cross your fingers this will finally happen! :)
Location: SLS Family Sports Centre, Cochrane, Alberta
Instructors: Alison Bonnyman, BScPT, MScRS, IATFcert
www.aquaticrehab.ca; Facebook at Canadian Aquatic Rehab
CARI courses provide an up-to-date review of the research, techniques, protocols and precautions/contraindications in aquatic therapy. Assessment, treatment, progression and goal attainment in the water environment are addressed. Come away with creative, specific aquatic tools to enhance your practice and client health outcomes. Certificates are provided. Instructor is Alison Bonnyman, a physiotherapist, founder of Canadian Aquatic Rehab Instructors and International Aquatic Therapy Faculty, IATF, certified.
Maximum number of participants: 16
Fee per course: $300; If attending more than 1 course, fee is $275.
Friday, 1 – 5pm - Foundational Aquatic Therapy, Part 2, The Practical
An indepth study of hydrodynamics as applied to the physiology of immersion and exercise prescription. You want to take full advantage of the immersive benefits for all populations and conditions. Contraindications and precautions are detailed and you learn to modify your exercises and maximize your pool time with individuals with challenging health conditions. The focus will be on effective treatment programs to address common therapeutic goals such as strength, ROM, balance, and gait.
All participants are required to complete the 1-hour online Part 1,Foundational Aquatic Therapy theory course (http://bit.ly/2Te2ezB) prior to Part 2.
SCHEDULE:
1pm – 2:00pm – Land Lecture: Hydrodynamics; Evidence-Based, Condition specific
2:00 – 5:00pm – in Pool Practicum: Hydrodynamics applied; techniques to achieve therapeutic goals.
Friday, 6:30pm – 8:30 pm - Move With Ease
Come and find out why a dip in the beautiful Spray Lakes warm water pool (32C) is so good for you! Water immersion is a powerful therapy. We meet on the pool deck at 6:30pm and spend the next 2 hours exploring all the benefits of moving with ease, off-loading joints and gently challenging balance and core strength. This session goes to 8:30pm and is open to the Cochrane community… you don’t need to be a healthcare provider to appreciate healing waters!
Alison Bonnyman is a physiotherapist who has taught advanced aquatic therapy across Canada and internationally. Her practical, research-backed approach will make for an informative, fun and healthy evening.
Endorsed by the Cochrane Warm Water Therapy Society.
$10 entrance fee; limited to 30 people.
RSVP at aquaticrehabpt@gmail.com
Saturday, 8am - 12 - Aquatic Therapy for Individuals with Neurological Conditions
Therapeutic goals including tone/spasticity, cognition, neglect, mobility, gait, functional movements, balance and endurance will be addressed using aquatic interventions. 1:1 techniques, including Bad Ragaz Ring Method, BRRM, and Water Specific Therapy will be introduced and practiced. There will be opportunity to apply and design an aquatic therapy intervention to a case with progression, modification and equipment options.
SCHEDULE:
8:00am to 9:00am – Land Lecture -Recent Evidence applied,
9:00 to 12:00pm – Pool Practicum: Addressing tone, neglect, spasticity, trunk control++
Saturday 1 – 5pm - Aquatic Therapy in Paediatrics
This half-day course is for therapists who value the enhanced environment of water to facilitate directed, therapeutic play for children with special needs. A review of the evidence and current practice trends is followed by in-pool practice. 1:1 techniques to engage righting reactions, reduce spasticity, stimulate fine motor control, trunk control and cognitive engagement will be practiced.
SCHEDULE:
1pm – 2:00pm – recent research; protocols; therapeutic goals
2:00 – 5pm - Pool Practicum: ASD, Halliwick Method techniques, handling, play
Sunday, 8am - 12 - Aquatic Therapy for the Orthopaedic Client
Objectives for this course are to share the most recent evidence and aquatic techniques to attain power, endurance, range, function, sport and cardiovascular goals. Conditions highlighted include chronic low back pain, THR, TKA, shoulder replacement, and the injured athlete. Find out why and how aquatic therapy can enhance your treatment outcomes.
SCHEDULE:
8am – 9:00 – Land Workshop: Recent research, Pain education, collaborative approach
9:00 – 12:00 – Pool Practicum: Ai Chi; passive techniques; BRRM, cardiovascular
Sunday, 1 – 5pm - Aquatic Therapy for Gait & Balance
Evidence-based application of hydrodynamics focused on gait and balance retraining in adults. Assessment on deck and in pool for immediate feedback for patient and therapist. Creative manipulation of depth, turbulence, equipment, stabilization, and suspension will provide you with limitless ideas when responding to your patient’s specific needs.
SCHEDULE:
1pm – 2:00 – Land workshop: Land versus water, mechanics, research
2:00 – 5:00 – Pool Practicum: applied hydrodynamics to gait cycle, safe & progressive balance challenges
If you are interested in any of these courses, please click on the survey below to begin registration.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3NRJ3ML