Watsu

Watsu stands for Water Shiatsu. It is a form aquatic massage therapy, given in waist-deep, warm water; water temperature should be same as the body temperature of the client.  Watsu therapy was created by Harold Dull in 1980. It is a blend of massage, joint mobilization, shiatsu, muscle stretching and dance. This therapy is effective in healing a wide range of neurological and orthopedic problems.

The Watsu therapist and the client both wear bath suit during Watsu session. The client must put floats for buoyancy. Buoyancy of water helps in performing some special movements that can not be performed on land.

During a Watsu session the therapist cradles the client’s body, with one arm supporting the client’s knees and the other supporting client’s back. The therapist triggers the acupressure points in the client’s body. The client floats his one arm free in to the water and wraps another hand around the therapist’s back. The therapist than performs a series of passive stretches and twists on the client’s body. Watsu is ideal for those who suffer from mobility problems. The client is submerged in to the water up till ears and his eyes closed. As no conservation takes place, the client can relax and his inner world with his eyes closed.

Water dance, Healing Dance, and the Jahara Technique are the three main types of Watsu techniques.

Benefits of Watsu therapy are increased mobility, deeper breathing, emotional release, improved body posture and awareness. The warmth of the warm water used for the therapy improves circulation while its buoyancy gives relieves from joint pain.
 Watsu not only reduces pain, it can also decrease muscle guarding and tension.

Watsu is effective for addressing emotional issues depression, physical abuse, sexual abuse etc. Pregnant could be beneficial if they take Watsu in the last month of pregnancy, it help them to feel light and ease tension.

Watsu also helps in spiritual experience. The client can achieve meditative state and reflect in to his self.

Apart for all this Watsu could also help in improving digestion, circulation and lymph drainage, tone, tissue health, breathing pattern etc.