What Is Watsu and Aquatic Bodywork?

Watsu and other types of aquatic bodywork combine massage and other body-focused techniques with the added benefits of floating in warm water.

What Is Watsu?

Watsu is a type of massage done in the water.

In 1980, Harold Dull, a Zen Shiatsu practitioner, started using shiatsu techniques with clients in warm water. He found that the relaxing effects of warm water increased the effects of the acupressure and meridian stretching used in Zen Shiatsu. The water takes the weight off the spine's vertebrae, letting the spine move in ways not possible on land. Dull called his new water shiatsu technique Watsu.

In a Watsu session, you float in water with your nose and mouth remaining above the surface, while the practitioner massages, rhythmically moves, and stretches your body, treating it as a whole. The holding required to float you takes you to a level of healing beyond that of touch.

Watsu Demo Video

Watsu books.

Other Types of Aquatic Bodywork

Many creators of other water-based bodywork had experience with Watsu, as well as with other types of massage and body-based practices.

WaterDance

WATA® (WasserTanzen in German or WaterDance in English) starts like Watsu, with you floating on the surface of the water. The practitioner then gently and gradually leads you underwater, and uses different lever grips to mobilize the body's major joints, releasing physical and emotional tensions and creating a state of deep relaxation.

In 1987, Peter Schröter introduced water dancing to Arjana Brunschwiler, who went on to study Watsu, yoga, and other body techniques. The two introduced WaterDance at Harbin Hot Springs, California, in the early 1990s. They call it an "energy body technique," as the physical body seems to expand and transform into pure energy in water.

WaterDance Video

Healing Dance

Healing Dance® founder Alexander George studied Watsu with Harold Dull in 1990. As a professional ballet dancer and Trager practitioner, George began using these skills to develop a flowing and dancing branch of Watsu. He further refined his Healing Dance after studying Waterdance with Arjana Brunschwiler in 1993.

Healing Dance uses more than 30 hydrodynamic waves and spirals, along with spatial mandalas in the form of circles, figure 8s, and releases. These techniques open up blocked energies, freeing and re-animating the body. The guiding philosophy is that movement is the "medicine" and the experience of "received dance" activates the body's healing process.

Healing Dance Video

Dolphin Dance

Dolphin Dance, developed by Lilia Cangemi, a registered Watsu and Healing Dance therapist and instructor, is based on practices and principles from shiatsu, Swedish and deep tissue massage, Trager method, reiki, and cranial-sacral therapy. The water environment lets the practitioner use joint manipulation to naturally elongate and decompress the spine, while massaging muscles and organs to help release habitual holding patterns.

Aquassage

Aquassage combines gentle stretches, wave movements, hara work, acupressure, massage, and reflexology. The technique is designed for people who have mobility issues, injuries, and other challenges that preclude vigorous movement and deep stretching. You are supported with floats tailored to your individual needs. Developed by Maria Gerondoudis in South Africa, this technique also works well for people prone to motion sickness or those who prefer a lot of personal space.

Jahara Aquatic Technique

Jahara® Aquatic Technique is a therapeutic and educational modality that aims to bring awareness to individual health and well-being, for people of all ages and abilities. One fundamental of the technique is aligned precise support and softening the peripheral muscles to create expansion. To help make micro-adjustments to the body's structural alignment, Jahara uses a flexible floatation device called the Third Arm.

Brazilian-born Mario Jahara developed the technique in Northern California in 1995. He was inspired by his studies in other modalities, including Alexander Technique, The Mézière Method, and Zen Shiatsu, plus his experience with water treatments at Harbin Hot Springs.

Jahara Technique Video

Fluid Presence

Fluid Presence™ Warm-Water Holistic Therapy brings to the aquatic environment Biodynamic Cranial principles, a variety of healing arts, and relational energetics.

Developer Shantam Lanz, Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association (WABA) certified Aquatic Bodywork Therapist & Instructor and Master Hypnotherapist, describes Fluid Presence as a living meditation.

Fluid Presence Video

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Photo Credit: CoreyPud CC