Julie and Zara are UK-based swimming instructors, course tutors, and
co-founders of Aqua Education Academy – a specialist training
organisation dedicated to trauma-free submersions and reflex-aware
aquatic teaching.

With backgrounds in Reflex Integration, Birth Processing, and
Developmental Movement Therapy, their work focuses on the crucial
role of neonatal reflexes in early development – and how baby and early
years swimming can support healthy brain, body, emotional and
behavioural growth when these reflexes are understood and respected.

Julie and Zara both have a personal and professional interest in Special
Educational Needs (SEN) swimming, and hold advanced qualifications
in aquatic teaching and tutoring in this area.

Having begun their swim teaching journey in 2006 – during a time when
adult-led submersions and ‘conditioning’ were the norm – they quickly
noticed signs of distress and disconnection in babies during underwater
activities. This inspired them to explore more respectful, baby-led
alternatives.

At the same time, they began their studies in reflex and birth trauma
work, drawing powerful links between the baby body language seen in
therapy and the responses babies were showing in the pool.

Their collaborative approach has led to the development of a trauma-
informed framework for underwater experiences that removes force and
conditioning – while keeping joy, agency, and developmental foundations
at the heart of the process.