Watsu

A typical Watsu session includes massage, muscle extension, and joint mobilization. A person adequately supported on the surface of warm water (+ 33 ... 35 ° C) with the hands of a specialist moves in water with the help of smooth movements. The variety of Watsu technical elements in combination with the therapeutic effect of a warm aquatic environment leads a person to a state of deep relaxation.

There are several branches of Watsu. The most common of them are Waterdance [u'otherdans] and Healing Dance [h'ilin dance]. In form, these directions are different from Watsu, but they rely on Watsu's technical base. To learn these techniques, you must complete the initial training program "Watsu-1."

In the world, Watsu is represented by the World Aquatic Bodywork Association (WABA) ^[1] .

Since 2011, the WABA Association has been represented in Russia by the Watsu Rossiya Training Institute (St. Petersburg).

Watsu specialists are trained according to the standards of the WABA Association. The main courses include:

• “Watsu - the basic course” (“Basic Watsu”) - familiarity with the theory and basic elements of Watsu. Duration - 16 hours;
• "Watsu 1" ("Watsu 1") - a detailed study of the basics of working with the body in water, the basic movements, theory and philosophy of Watsu. Duration: 50 hours. There are no requirements for participants;
• "Watsu-2" ("Watsu 2") - the development of more complex techniques, compared with the course "Watsu 1", an in-depth theory, the basics of Shiatsu (not necessary). This course is required to obtain the Watsu Provider qualification, which entitles you to Watsu commercial practice. Duration: 50 hours. Requirements for participants: the course "Watsu 1";
• “Watsu-3” (“Watsu 3”) - complex elements of Watsu are given, for mastering which it is necessary to take the courses “Watsu 1” and “Watsu 2” and have a good command of the technical elements of these courses. The concept of “Free Flow” in Watsu is considered, which allows the specialist to adapt to each client, which makes the session unique and most effective.

Varieties of Watsu specialists:

1. . Watsu provider is a novice specialist. Mandatory requirements: successful completion of training at the Watsu 1 and Watsu 2 courses, 20 registered sessions, passing a certification exam to a WABA association specialist. Qualification: mastery of the basic techniques of Watsu.
2. . A Watsu practitioner is a specialist who is fully skilled in Watsu technicians and complies with an extensive list of requirements. Including courses "Watsu 1, 2 and 3".

The method was developed by Harold Dull in 1980.

For many years, Harold Dall studied the Zen Shiatsu technique in Japan . In the process of practice, he had the idea to transfer the main ideas of Shiatsu to the warm water of the Harbin Hot Springs springs, where he lived. Warm water in itself contributes to deep relaxation, and in combination with acupressure, the effect exceeded expectations. And so the Watsu (Watsu) technique was born, the name of which consisted of two words: “Water” (water) and “Shiatsu” (Shiatsu).

Over time, Watsu became a separate practice, and now the Watsu specialist does not have to master Shiatsu massage techniques.

• Watsu: everything about watsu in Russia. Russian-language site dedicated to Watsu. Representative office of International School Of Watsu (iswatsu.com) in Russia. Information, sessions, training.
• Watsu massage site
• New Zealand Watsu® and the Aquatic Bodywork Association
• WAT-SU in 16 languages
• International School of Watsu (Watsu International School)