Shiatsu :: Craniosacral Therapy :: Watsu :: Acupuncture & Oriental Therapies :: Yoga :: Shell Essences :: Facial Rejuvination
Available in Glasgow, Watsu means “water-shiatsu” though it is much more than a combination of words. Having a Watsu is an opening to a new experience and also unique to each person. Using the water as a medium can relax and free the body and mind while being supportive and nurturing.
Watsu was pioneered by Harold Dull in California in 1980 and so is relatively new compared to other therapies. Harold studied Zen Shiatsu in Japan then introduced the meridian stretches from Shiatsu while floating people in thermal pools at Harbin, Hot Springs. Zen Shiatsu uses stretches and holding of points to move and rebalance the body’s energy, inducing relaxation and maintaining health between mind and body. Shiatsu is normally done on the floor which, although being supportive to the body, can also restrict movement. A Watsu practitioner moves the body using the water as a support. The mobility and freedom of movement in a Watsu can create a trance-like state for the receiver and this deep state of relaxation can help unlock stored tension and past traumas. In its simplest form Watsu can be used to create a pleasurable, relaxed state for anyone but, with the right environment, advanced work can be beneficial in treating a variety of conditions.
Emotions have profound effects on the body’s tissues and can aid in their facilitating or impeding recovery. Psycho/social/economical problems can lead to decreased self-esteem, decreased interaction with friends and family, and deepen depression. Added stress and frustration can be translated into muscle tension and pain. This creates a pain cycle. This cycle is just one example of how mind and body interact.
Watsu provides a channel to break into these cycles of physical/psychological dysfunction. The nurturing aspects of Watsu often have a dramatic effect on that person’s self esteem and sense of “OK-ness”. This might be enough to allow the person to release the muscle tension they were holding.
Some people feel that emotion of traumatic events can be stored in the body’s tissues. The extensive stretching and slow rhythmical movements in Watsu aid the release of tissue distortion which can cause the surfacing of these emotions.
Warm water has many therapeutic benefits. Superficial circulation increases in warm water; this will decrease pain and increase the pliability of soft tissues allowing for greater range of motion with stretching. The buoyancy of the water unloads the joints often lessening pain and allowing greater flexibility. Water in the ears muffles auditory distractions from the outer environment allowing for greater relaxation and body awareness.
In Watsu, with the ears under water and eyes closed, the body flowing smoothly from one move to the next, the client becomes aware of the level of relaxation they can attain. This relaxation will enhance their breathing pattern, allowing for slow, rhythmical, deep breathing rather than the short, shallow, quick breaths which often accompany stress. During the Watsu session, the client has time to learn about themselves without any distraction, demands or need from the outside world.
Benefits of Watsu
Decrease muscle guarding/tension
Increase range of motion
Decrease pain
Increase superficial circulation
Improve breathing pattern
Improve posture
Normalize tone
Reduce stress/anxiety
Improve body awareness
Discovery/release of emotional stress
Improve sleeping pattern
Increase energy/less fatigue
Who can benefit from Watsu
Acute/subacute/chronic pain
Neuromuscular disorders
Head injury
Soft tissue dysfunction
Chronic headaches
Chronic fatigue
Hyperactivity
Stress/anxiety related disorders
Depression
Victims of mental, physical or sexual abuse
Sleeping disorders
Substance abuse/ addictions
In Britain the development of Watsu has been slow to spread. Water therapy is not used as widely as in other countries except in hospitals and special schools with heated therapy pools. Under the current UK health policy it is difficult for alternative therapists to work in hospitals unless one is a physiotherapist. I have run courses in Britain to introduce people to Watsu therapy and I am at present working in a small local pool that has a warm and friendly environment.
The ideal Watsu pool has many levels so that the practitioner can work with a person at a variety of depths. The ideal depth is about 4 feet with enough space to rock and turn a person without their feet touching a wall – at least an eight foot circle. Then optimum temperature is about 35 degrees C but can be cooler if the air is warm outside.
Appointments
If you are interested in booking a Watsu session either in Glasgow, please contact Bodysense By The Sea to book an appointment.
The cost of each session £50 - £75 for 1 hour treatment with reduced rate for children.
