Aquatic Shiatsu -- a Variation of the Shiatsu Technique

Added: 03/02/2006

Aquatic shiatsu is a creation of Harold Dull who practiced and eventually presided over the School of shiatsu and massage in northern California. He is known to be the creator of the basic principles of aquatic shiatsu. Aquatic shiatsu description would include the following: the receiver of the aquatic shiatsu therapy is placed into a warm pool where his body is stretched and stroked.

Aquatic shiatsu is another name used fro the practice of Watsu, which is basically a massage performed in a warm pool. Watsu therapy was introduced in 1980 and since then is has been gradually gaining popularity. The creator of aquatic shiatsu Harold Dull formed the principles of his own trademarked bodywork practice on the basis of the Zen Shiatsu therapy methods. He became familiar with the shiatsu practice in Japan and decided that placing people into warm water was a rather good idea as it significantly facilitated the massage procedure and enlarged the range of possible manipulations with the body of the person being massaged.

The effectiveness of aquatic shiatsu has now been recognized and it can even be said that now the time of this form of aquatic massage has come. This kind of service is commonly offered at spas all over the world. The technique aquatic shiatsu has gone through several transformations, and can be adjusted according to the main healing objectives of the therapist, but it is nevertheless possible to provide a general aquatic shiatsu description. On the intention of Harold Dull aquatic shiatsu incorporated the basic principles of the ancient Tibetan practice of Zen Siatsu.

This Oriental methodology dwelt upon the importance of stretches that are aimed to release the energy flow blockages, this way restoring vitality and preventing or curing disease. Harold Dull added to these principles the method of using warm water fro the purpose of additional bodywork possibilities and registered Watsu (or aquatic shiatsu) as his trademark. The basis of aquatic shiatsu method is the ability of the therapist to manipulate the body of the person who is being massaged in a wide variety of ways, due to the fact that the body is placed in water.

As the receiver finds himself in warm water of a very comfortable temperature (about 35 degrees), his body is being gently rocked by the massage therapist. During the process of aquatic shiatsu therapy the receiver needs to be constantly supported, which is the responsibility of the therapist. Over the years that have passed since the practice of aquatic shiatsu was first introduced, it has evolved and gained a few additional characteristics. It is true that at first the aquatic shiatsu method effectiveness was questioned, but it no longer is.

Aquatic shiatsu practice is now widely known and appreciated due to the ability to produce immediate and long lasting effect.

Due to the fact that Watsu method requires the body of Watsu therapy receiver to be placed in water, various kinds of manipulations are possible. The therapist is free to stretch the body in the ways that are impossible during ordinary massage on land. This way the therapist is capable of opening the energy flow blockages in the patient more efficiently and this will guarantee the success of the treatment.

The method of aquatic shiatsu is not only highly effective if applied independently but can also be combined with other therapies.

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