Revision 445703499 of "Watsu" on enwiki

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'''Watsu''', a [[portmanteau]] of '''[[water]]''' and '''[[shiatsu]]''', is a form of therapeutic bodywork performed in warm water pools (around 35 °C or 95 °F). The receiver of a Watsu treatment is supported by the practitioner, creating a sensation of floating and deep relaxation. In this gravity-free environment, the practitioner is able to move, stretch and manipulated the body in ways that are not possible on land.

== History ==
Watsu was created by Shiatsu teacher [[Harold Dull]] in the early 1980s, then director of the [[Harbin Hot Springs|Harbin School of Shiatsu and Massage]] in northern [[California]]. {{Citation needed|date=June 2011}} The technique slowly evolved as he began to incorporate aspects of [[Zen Shiatsu]] into his therapy. Watsu pools have now been introduced as a therapeutic passive massage tool as in the 2008 Turkish hamams [[Lake Conroe]] resort project.

== Other forms of aquatic bodywork==
There are three other forms of aquatic [[Bodywork_(alternative_medicine)|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.

==External links==
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*[http://www.waba.edu The Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association]
*[http://www.aquatic-bodywork.com.au Aquatic Bodywork in Australia]
*[http://www.watsu.org.nz/index.php Watsu & Aquatic Bodywork Association of New Zealand]
*[http://www.watsueurope.com Watsu & Aquatic Bodywork in Europe]
*[http://mytexasmag.com/travel-leisure/resorts-and-spas/you%E2%80%99ve-never-seen-spa-texas Watsu pools project]
*[http://www.watsu.com/ Official WATSU website]
*[http://watsu.org.pl/ Watsu in Poland]
*[http://www.waterbliss.com.au Watsu in Cairns, Australia]
*[http://www.watsu.fr/ Aquatic Bodywork in France]

{{Massage types}}

[[Category:Manipulative therapy]]
[[Category:Massage therapy]]

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