It was night time in October on the big island of Hawaii, the moon was full, the waves were crashing against the shore in the background as I was floating in the water of a swimming pool and assisted by my Watsu therapist. The therapist held me in 2 different ways as my body swished back and forth in the water. One way she held me from my head with a hand on each side of the base of my neck as she faced my feet. Next she stood next to the side of my body with a hand under my neck and a hand under my thigh on my hamstring. It felt heavenly and like no other bodywork I’ve had. My eyes were closed. The pool was warm as I imagine it feels in a mother’s womb. The therapist holding me varied the rhythm of movement as my body was manipulated on the surface of the water. Water was creating pressure against my body as it was being pulled toward the therapist and pushed away. It felt as though the water was massaging me. As time passed and I rocked back and forth in the water, my body began to release tension. There is an art to the rhythm, however. Two different people gave me Watsu, yet the one that felt the most pleasing was the session in which some movements were slow and then some were fast and vigorous. The variation in rhythm created different sensations in my muscles. As this was taking place the therapist walks in a way that feels like a dance, because at times it was fast, other times slow and her hips would move back and forth as though she was doing the houla or swinging a houla hoop around. Different feelings come up as this ‘dance’ takes place. At times a bit of fear rises, cause one feels they may get dunked under the water and yet a trust forms as you are held closely to this therapist guiding you. It feels very intimate and bonding. This water plus massage is called Watsu. Watsu was created by Harold Dull director of the Harbin School of Shiatsu & Massage in northern CA in 1980. It began as he started floating people and stretching them as he applied principles of Zen Shiatsu in the water. The temperature of the water varies between 94-97 degrees F or around 35 degrees C. After my return to NYC, I’ve researched a bit on line to learn more. There are several forms of aquatic therapies that have stemmed from Watsu. The names are:
Waterdance or Wasser Tanzen (WATA) which was developed by Arjana Brunschwiler & Aman Schroter in 1987. This treatment is different from Watsu in the sense that one is given a nose plug to put on since one is gradually and entirely taken under water. Moves are timed with breathing with Aikido-like moves, plus somersaults & inversions and other massage techniques.
Healing Dance created by Alexander Georgeakopoulos is a combination of Watsu and Waterdance plus influenced by Trager and dance.
Jahara Technique created by Mario Jahara is very peaceful and gentle with more focus on flotation devices emphasizing support and the concept of expansion.
If you want to find a list of aquatic bodyworkers in your area contact WABA: The Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association. Watsu and the other water therapies are found in 40 different countries. Go ahead and treat yourself to a new experience or perhaps remind yourself of what it was like when in the womb and experience the water plus massage.
Cherie
Login using your social media account (such as facebook and twitter) to make comments. Click the “share” button to share comments with your friends via your social media accounts.
