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 Watsu?
What does this funny sounding word mean? Watsu (WATer shiatSU) is
a form of aquatic bodywork performed in warm water, preferably 94-98
degrees. The therapist takes the recipient through a series of Shiatsu
stretches and pressure point massage while also floating and moving
the recipient, utilizing the principles of water—natural buoyancy,
resistance and warmth. Harold Dull of California, who pioneered
this modality in 1990, states the “stretches and movement free
the body (particularly the spine) in ways impossible on land.”
In 1994, I experienced my first Watsu at a spa called “10,000 Waves” in Santa Fe, NM (when I attended the AMTA convention in Albuquerque). I knew then that someday I wanted to learn to do Watsu. I had the opportunity to spend two weeks in July/August 1997 at Harbin Hot Springs School of Shiatsu & Massage in Middletown, CA. I attended the 100-hour Watsu Practitioner program. My days were spent alternating every two hours between land and water classes, starting at 6 am for pool time! In the water we paired off to take turns at giving and receiving. An instructor would demonstrate and talk us through the various movements that were each ascribed a name that gave some indication of what one would need to do. The giver cradles the receiver in his or her arms by supporting the neck with one arm and under the knees with the other arm. A physical and emotional environment of trust and safety for the receiver is imperative for the overall experience. The calming effects of warm water and the Watsu movements and stretches can lull one into a state of deep relaxation. Being cradled is very nurturing. Land classes would involve lecture, group discussion, videos, and group movement activities such as Tai Chi, stretching, and doing our Watsu moves while standing in front of mirrors! In July 1998, I took Watsu 3 in Philadelphia. It was privately arranged for a group of six. We had the unique experience of having Harold Dull as our only instructor (which was not the usual, given Harold Dull’s teaching and travel schedule). We worked in a private, warm pool and had the opportunity to each give a Watsu session to Harold and be critiqued by him, which was not as daunting as I expected. My immersion into the process of giving a Watsu was calming to me as well as Harold’s gentle approach in his guidance. I loved being in the water. Receiving was wonderful for the sheer comfort and light, floating feeling that all is well in the world; as well as connecting the mind to the body in how the movements should be feeling as each one is carried out. Watsu can benefit most everyone. (Those people who have difficulty with motion sickness and vertigo (dizziness) and a strong fear of the water will be poor candidates.) Benefits of Watsu include the customary effects we find with massage on land, especially increased ROM, lessening of muscle tension, and improved body awareness. Also, for many, weightlessness is an added plus in providing movement that is less painful than on land. Contraindications include the ones customary for land massage such as fever, infection, wounds, and cardiac problems. Also the practitioner needs to ask about chlorine sensitivity if using a chlorinated pool. Remember to check with a physician for range of motion precautions, especially after recent surgery and bone fracture. Sessions I have been giving last about 30 minutes; duration is quite dependent on the warmth of the water (giver and receiver can become chilled) and the ability of the receiver to relax. Comfort of the receiver with close bodily contact is another consideration. I do not start anyone with Watsu if they’ve never experienced massage or another form of bodywork. Given that I live in a cold climate that seems to last most of the year (New Hampshire), I find that requests for Watsu are dependent on reminding people that I do Watsu and encouraging them to give it a try. I use a local YMCA pool as I do not own one. Since Watsu is not my primary service as a solo massage practitioner, the cost / benefit variables, as well as time for upkeep, are the major considerations for not obtaining my own pool. I do hope to do more Watsu in the future when I can be in a more favorable geographical climate. I enjoy this modality both as receiver and giver. I find that as a giver in the medium of water, I can become more relaxed in a different way than when doing table massage, and I feel like I’ve had a great stretching session also. I feel “lighter” and happier when I step out of the pool. It is a balancing change from some of the repetitive patterns one gets into and can be a respite from the more rigorous techniques of table massage. The best of all, receivers are usually transformed, using descriptives of themselves that I’ve never heard before! Resource: “Watsu, Freeing the Body in Water” by Harold Dull. June 1, 2001
Offer Your Clients Hydrotherapy WITHOUT a
pool !…..Golden Ratio Announces The
Mermaid Table for Wassage (Massage + Water = Wassage) HealthTouchNews@aol.com |
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