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WELCOME TO

HELD IN WATER

Immerse Yourself in Trust and Connection

JOIN THE FLOW NOW!

JOIN THE FLOW NOW!

Your First Beginnings with Water and Your Baby

Step away from fear-based approaches with Held In Water’s gentle, boundary-focused philosophy. Using somatic methods and following each child's natural rhythm in the water, Hannah nurtures early bonds with water for newborns to children up to 4 years old.

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Summer Swim Classes Are Coming!

WANT TO CREATE BOUNDARIES, NOT FEAR, AROUND WATER FOR YOUR LITTLE ONES?

1:1 CONNECTIONS

Exclusive personal on-line support with Hannah to develop lasting skills and techniques with individualized guidance.

IN-PERSON IMMERSIONS

Receive in-person support through upcoming destinations or bring Hannah to you for a tailored immersion experience.

OUR APPROACHES

At Held In Water, we believe that learning to swim is a journey of connection, confidence, and discovery. Developed by Hannah, who has spent years observing the impact of language on young children, our courses use a confident, somatic language approach—focusing on body awareness, gentle movement, and sensory connection. This creates a nurturing space where infants and toddlers can explore water as a natural, comforting element at their own pace.

Respectful, Child-Led Techniques

Each activity honors your child’s unique rhythm and curiosity, supporting a gentle and gradual introduction to water.

Building a Positive Relationship with Water

By fostering warmth and trust, we help children feel secure and at ease, making water a source of joy and confidence.

Whole-Body Development

Our sessions encourage physical coordination, emotional resilience, and deepen the parent-child bond, all within a mindful, supportive environment.

A Love Story With Water

I'm Hannah, Gentle Swim Educator and Somatic Water Guide

Welcome to Held in Water, a space where the transformative power of water meets the profound journey of parenthood. With over 25 years of experience working with families, Hannah has dedicated her life to exploring the ways water heals, connects, and nurtures. Her work weaves together somatic practices, holistic health, and her deep love for guiding infants and parents through the postpartum journey. Hannah is currently starting her studies with Lori Hendrickson in Craniosacral therapy CST-Infants.

Here, you’ll find the story of a teacher who has traveled the world, learning from shamans, plants, elders, and children, all while creating a life devoted to touch, bonding, and repair through water. From founding one of the largest swim programs in her community to studying water massage and adaptive aquatics, Hannah’s path has been one of connection and care.

Dive in to learn how Held in Water can bring the beauty and healing of water into your family’s life.

Water & Womb: A Journey of Connection for New Mothers

Launching soon! This transformative course is designed to nurture the sacred bond between mother and baby through the healing power of water. Combining somatic water practices with gentle postpartum support, this course offers new mothers a unique opportunity to reconnect with their bodies, build trust, and deepen their connection with their babies. Whether through soothing water rituals or developmental play, Water & Womb will guide you in embracing the flow of early motherhood with confidence and care.

WHAT FAMILIES ARE SAYING

  • Tylee

    Having a child with special needs doesn’t always allow for easy water introduction. That is until we met Hannah. My autistic non-speaking daughter started swim lessons with Hannah in the winter of 2019/2020. Covid hit and our time with Hannah in the water was sidelined. When we were finally able to return her to her swim lessons my daughter had received her autism diagnosis. During that time she was weary of everyone and even more weary of unfamiliar situations.  I’m sure many parents of babies and young toddlers during that time could relate. The lack of social isolation and my daughter’s way of processing her world around her could have ended in disaster for her swimming future. But thankfully for us, because of Hannah, it did not. It ended up with the most fantastic outcome. Fast forward three years of swim lessons and to the summer of 2024 and our precious girl at five years old became a swimmer. Not only will this gift of water security give our daughter a lifetime of happiness but most importantly a lifetime of safety. For years to come  her body and her mind will be strengthened with each new swim day. We can thank Hannah for that! Hannah was more than patient with our daughter’s timing in the water. She allowed our daughter to find her own rhythm and love for swimming in her own unique way. We cannot thank Hannah enough for all that she has taught our sweet girl. She has given her guidance during those precious moments in the water all while never doubting her capabilities. It’s bittersweet to have our lessons come to an end but this outcome is everything we could have hoped for.  Hannah has given our daughter the gift of water independence.

    From a grateful mother’s heart, 

    Thank you Hannah. 

    ​

    You mean the world to us and thank you for being such an impactful part to our girls team of amazing teachers and caregivers! 


  • Nancy

    We have had the privilege of knowing Hannah for over 3 1/2 years. Our daughter began to swim with Hannah when she was 4 months old. As parents, Hannah has given us the confidence and skills through each session to help our daughter feel confident in the water. 

    ​Our daughter has enjoyed each swim session and is always excited for her next session with Hannah. She has helped us navigate the fear as first-time parents and introduced our daughter to the water. Seeing the progress of each session has been so rewarding. More do over the years. Hannah is our daughter’s swim instructor and has become family to us.

  • Meghan

    Working with Hannah had been life changing. The bond I have developed with my daughter through our time in water have become some of the most cherished and precious moments I have with my litter girl. Rayna is not even 2 yet and already she can climb in and out of the pool that has no stairs just a ladder.

    Every fear I had surrounding water has been drastically improved with the help of Hannah's calm, kind and gentle approach. I would say the changes in ME are what truly shock me. Everyday I know I can confidently enter the pool with Rayna and know she will be okay. Know we can handle it together. Rayna is so close to swimming on her own and I counted down the days until I could have Rayna in the Water with Hannah again. She is worth the investment and I honestly have never met anyone who loves water as much as Hannah. Water is a window into each of our souls and Hannah is the Water Whisperer.

    Thank you Hannah for everything you have taught Rayna and I and continue to teach us. We are blessed to know you and be able to work with you.

GET IN TOUCH

Hannah Freeman | heldinwater@gmail.com