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Based in Mumbai, with a strong connection with Auroville, the universal experimental township in southern India.

FORMAL EDUCATION

2008 - Graduated in Mass Media – Journalism from University of Mumbai
2010 – MBA (Finance) from NMIMS University, Mumbai


LANGUAGES

Fluent in English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati and Kutchi

MAIN WORK EXPERIENCE

2010 to 2021 – Worked in the financial services industry in various roles as analyst, content head, and copywriter.

2021 to Present – . Since 2021, I work independently as a Watsu therapist and Woga instructor at aquatherapy centers in Mumbai. Along with my wife Pooja Gautam, who is the first Indian-origin Watsu Instructor and also the pioneer of the Watsu movement in Mumbai, I have been also offering Watsu sessions and courses (as co-teacher) at luxury wellness resorts and aquatherapy centers in India as well as overseas.


AQUATIC EXPERIENCE

2017-2020 – WATSU® Practitioner, Watsu India Training Institute.

2023 – WATSU® Instructor Training Course with Watsu India Training Institute

1,377 hours of training in Watsu®, Woga®, Amnion®, Oceanic Bodywork Aqua®, Healing Dance®, and related aquatic bodywork modalities (as of March 2025).



OTHER DISCIPLINES

Compassionate Inquiry ® (A psychotherapeutic approach) Since September 2024, I’m pursuing the 1-year (240 hours) Compassionate Inquiry Professional Training Program - A psychotherapeutic approach developed by renowned addiction expert, speaker and author Dr. Gabor Maté. Ancient Thai Yoga Massage 120 hours of Ancient Thai Yoga Massage training in 2016, certified by The Ancient Massage Foundation and The Healing Hands Center. Awareness Through the Body 180 hours of training in Awareness Through the Body (ATB), a somatic and sensory awareness program developed in the international experimental township of Auroville (India) by Joan Sala and Aloka Marti.


ABOUT MYSELF

From an early age, I had a deep interest in exploring the human psyche and the nature of existence. Having been born in a family that identifies itself as followers of Jainism, I grew up on stories of truth-seekers who sought not to conquer the external world, but to liberate themselves from their own ignorance and suffering. And this broadly laid the template of my self- discovery journey.

While my wife Pooja and I were both pursuing our respective corporate careers, we felt called to exploring soul-centric modalities, practices and ways of living that would give us the opportunity to explore our inner cosmos and to express our fullest creative potential. This calling led us to Auroville, the international, experimental township in southern India. And it here that we, eventually, found our calling in Watsu.

We are among the foremost Indians to be certified Watsu® practitioners and instructors and have been pioneers in spreading this aquatic therapy in Mumbai.
By harnessing the power of social media, we’ve succeeded in creating awareness about aquatherapy to millions of viewers in India and around the world. Currently, we enjoy the patronage of 175,000+ followers across our social media handles on Instagram (@poojawatsu & @ankitwatsu) and Facebook (Aqua Therapy Mumbai). I believe that the water work is full of infinite possibilities, and I seek to continue to be a student of water…with a special focus on prenatal, birthing and early childhood trauma.

Contact
Email: ankitwatsu@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +91-7977331879