- Aquatic bodywork is done in warm pools - Todtanis on Wikimedia Commons
The premise underlying aquatic bodywork is that warm water is an ideal environment for the whole body to be stretched and massaged. Water massage can free the spine and stretch neglected tissue and muscles.
Watsu – Water Shiatsu
Watsu (also known as Water Shiatsu) was the first type of modern aquatic bodywork developed. Zen Shiatsu practitioner Harold Dull began working with his students in water in 1980, leading to the development of Watsu. During a Watsu session, the practitioner floats, holds, massages, rhythmically moves, and stretches the client in warm water. The client's nose and mouth remain above water throughout the session.
According to the Watsu site, the holding required in water brings both the giver and the receiver of the massage to new levels of connection and trust. This connection, together with the freedom of movement in water and the therapeutic benefits of warm water, can affect every level of being.
Other Types of Aquatic Bodywork
Aquassage: Developed by Maria Gerondoudis in South Africa, Aquassage uses a combination of gentle rocking, stretching, and acupressure. In addition to the support of the water, floats placed under each knee and the neck provide a sense of near-weightlessness. Gerondoudis designed Aquassage for people with mobility problems and conditions that do not allow for vigorous movement and deep stretching.
Waterdance: In 1987, Arjana Brunschwiler and Peter Aman Schröter developed Waterdance (or Wassertanzen in the original German). Waterdance begins like Watsu, with the client cradled, stretched, and relaxed above the water surface. However, Waterdance then gradually and gently takes the client (wearing a nose-clip) entirely under the water for stretches and dolphin-like and snake-like movements to induce deep relaxation.
Jahara Technique: Mario Jahara from Brazil developed the Jahara technique for treating clinical conditions. The technique, which uses a flexible floatation device called the Third Arm, consists of micro-adjustments of the body's structural alignment body using continuous circular movements and gentle spinal traction movements.
Healing Dance: Developed by professional ballet dance and choreographer Alexander Georgeakopoulos, Healing Dance contains aspects of Watsu, Trager work, and Waterdance. Healing Dance brings the freedom of dance movement to the water.
Dolphin Dance: Developed by Lilia Cangemi, Dolphin Dance combines elements of Watsu, Waterdance, and Healing Dance. Dolphin Dance uses practices and principles from Shiatsu, Swedish and Deep Tissue, Trager, Reiki, and more.
Each form of aquatic bodywork has its own specialized training. It's always a good idea to make sure that a bodywork practitioner has the proper training and is properly licensed, if required by the city/state/country where the practitioner is working.
Sources:
- Aquatic Bodywork, "Types of Aquatic Bodywork" (accessed August 17, 2010).
Aquatic Dance, "Dolphin Dance" (accessed August 17, 2010).
Jahara Website (accessed August 17, 2010).
Healing Dance Website (accessed August 17, 2010).
Carol Wiley - Carol Wiley is a technical writer turned licensed massage therapist turned freelance writer. Visit her freelance writing site or Massage ...
