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Watsu - Health Web |
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 Watsu, a portmanteau of water and shiatsu, is a form of body massage performed while lying in warm water (around 35 °C or 95 °F). The receiver of Watsu treatment is continuously supported by the therapist while he or she rocks and gently stretches the body. Because it is performed in the water, the body is free to be manipulated and stretched in ways impossible while on the land.
History
Watsu was created by therapist Harold Dull in the early 1980's, then director of the Harbin School of Shiatsu and Massage in northern California. The technique slowly evolved as he began to incorporate aspects of Zen shiatsu into his therapy.
Other Forms of Aquatic Bodywork
There are three other forms of aquatic bodywork related to Watsu: Waterdance or Wasser Tanzen, Healing Dance, and the Jahara Technique. Waterdance was created in 1987 by Arjana Brunschwiler and Aman Schroter and involved the client being lowered completely beneath the surface. Healing Dance was created by Alexander Georgeakopoulos and is a mix between Waterdance and traditional Watsu techniques. The Jahara Technique is known as the "gentlest" of the forms because of its constant support and gentle bodywork.
Organization
Watsu and all the above therapies are represented by WABA: The Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association, a non-profit organization for the promotion of aquatic bodywork.
Harold Dull
Harold Dull, BA ,MA , is the president of the Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association, and the creator of Watsu, Tantsu, Co - centering and Watsu CQ. Harold has trained with the foremost Zen Shiatsu teacher in Japan, Shizuto Masunaga (author of “Zen Shiatsu”), and the two foremost teachers in America, Reuho Yamada and Wataru Ohashi. The profundity and effectiveness of the bodywork forms he has created reflect his passionate practice and deep understanding of energy and the body; the creativity of these forms reflects his background as a poet in the San Francisco Renaissance.
His current book “Watsu: Freeing the Body in Water” is an eloquent testament to the power of both his writing and his bodywork. Harold speaks several languages, which allows him to teach his work all over the world.
He has been honored with the International Aquatics Award from the United States Water Fitness Association; honored at the National Aquatic Exercise Conference in Japan; and in 1998 received the Tsunami Spirit Award f rom the Aquatic Therapy and Rehab Institute.
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