Watsu
Watsu is the most relaxing bodywork you’ve never heard of!
Does your body feel tight, aching and stiff? Do you dream of feeling light and free, as you did when you were a child, cartwheeling, leaping, twisting and jumping with carefree abandon?
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Would you like relief from pain? From injury, sore muscles and tension?
Do you long for restful, deep sleep?
Maybe you should treat your body and soul to the most relaxing bodywork you have never heard of - Watsu.
Origins
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In 1980, Harold Dull from Northern California created Watsu®, the world's first Aquatic Bodywork, by bringing into WARM water the stretches and principles of the Zen Shiatsu that he had studied with its creator, Shizuto Masunaga, in Japan.
The profundity and effectiveness of the bodywork forms he created reflect his passionate practice and deep understanding of energy and the body.
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Harold writes about his discovery:
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"In 1980, when I floated someone in a warm pool and applied the stretches and principles of Zen Shiatsu, I had no idea that what was coming into being would help millions of children, and others, in clinics and spas around the world, and would become a new way to bring people together, to come to know and celebrate their connection. When I started applying Zen Shiatsu’s principle of being, not doing, unconditionally holding others, I was surprised by how much oneness I felt with whoever I floated at my heart. I saw Watsu as healing our wounds of separation. Thousands of Watsu's later, I am no longer surprised. Watsu frees us from the illusion of separation."
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The Experience
The best way to describe Watsu is through the words of those who have experienced it.
This is the account of a French journalist who tried Watsu for the first time:
“When she places her arm around my neck, my body gently lifts up to horizontal and becomes light and fluid, just as I’ve always dreamed for it to be. I float in the warm water, free from weight, heaviness. I allow myself to be held. It’s delicious and infinitely relaxing. She transports me around the pool, and with my eyes closed I feel like a calm, supple seaweed swishing in the water currents. I feel my spine relax and soften, my breath slows down and my body rejoices. I feel good, really good. So perfectly at ease that I am emotional at the sensation of feeling this way.
She applies pressure, very discreetly, the length of my spine and then along my arm and joints; she rocks, stretches, shakes me very gently, she cradles me.
It is like a very long and very delicate cuddle. Behind my closed eyes images race by, of softness, dreaminess, of a green and welcoming pool, of a fluid and relaxed body.
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When I am slowly lifted to vertical and I feel the bottom of the pool under my feet and the side wall pressing against my back, I have no idea of the duration of this journey or the position in the pool where it has ended.
I take my time before opening my eyes. I savour the sensation of well-being that engulfs me, telling myself that it is visceral. Instinctive. Amniotic?
I understand so much better now, with all my body, how Watsu can help those in pain, people who are stressed, who feel lost, misplaced, discouraged and also pregnant women or young mums, the sick, the convalescing, the grieving……..you simply have to accept to be carried and to receive what your body needs, without thinking or analysing, just having absolute trust of the one who is listening to you with wisdom and humanity".
The Benefits
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Reduces anxiety and stress levels
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Promotes a sense of well-being
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Improves sleep quality
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Helps the body recover after strenuous exercise
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Reduces general pain
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Decreases muscle tension
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Increases joint mobility
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Improves digestion
A Watsu therapy can be personalised and adapted to individual need, with more focus on physical relief with stretching and mobilisation OR maybe with more of a meditative connection to Self experience.
Don't underestimate the powerful benefits of Watsu. This therapy is one of the most surprising ones for many people as they do not expect to experience such positive effects.
"My Watsu experience was unlike any previous therapies I have had - and I have experienced many. I was amazed by the amount of movement that was achieved - especially in the hips - and all without pain! I slept better than I have done in months. I had complete trust in Louise who gave me complete support and confidence throughout."
Audrey
Watsu Therapy Clinic
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Experience Watsu Therapy with fully qualified practitioner Louise.
She runs a Watsu Clinic the first Wednesday of every month from 3pm - 7pm at the beautiful Scented Garden Day Spa in Orston, Nottinghamshire.
You can choose from a 30 minute or 60 minute therapy, followed by relaxation in the peaceful Spa Garden with a herbal tea & fresh fruits.
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Watsu therapy can also be experienced on our Yoga Retreats in Sri Lanka.
30 Minute Watsu - £65
60 minute Watsu - £130
“I must be a mermaid. I have no fear of depths and a great fear of shallow living”
Anais Nin
