In the Media

[Sulis (Sara Firman)]

One of the important factors in presenting aquatic bodywork to the public is that they understand what it involves. Also that, if they have any inaccurate or preconceived ideas about it that might interfere with their experience, we can reassure them or put that right.

Here's one recent example.

Watsu: Circque du Soleil for your Body-Mind by Brett Blumethal.

Our member Davida had already commented and the link I have given shows her comment and mine which is waiting for moderation but seems to show up none the less.

Davida is responding to the statement in the article that:

'Because of this unique format [referring to the water and the holding], anyone interested in trying Watsu should not have a fear of and must be totally comfortable in the water; they need to be capable of trusting and letting go; and they need to be comfortable with intimacy.'

I follow Google Alerts for Watsu and other key terms to pick up these internet notices. I encourage you to do the same, and like Davida to address any issues you see that might lead to misunderstanding or misperceptions about our healing art.

Please consider posting examples to the network too.

[Susan (Sunus) Kovacs]

I never say "should". Often "Fear" brings itself to face itself. I see people with a fear of water willing to try Watsu for many reasons. I wouldn't say they are comfortable being in water or being held in water at the onset and have no idea how intimate Watsu can be. And who doesn't have issues of controll, and or trust. It is human nature to be close to a "fight or flight or freeze" mode. The "need" here is to be with and recognize fear and allow it. I had a client tell me following her first Watsu session, "This hour of Watsu was a better hour spent than going to a professional behavorist and talking about her "fears", "Controll issues", "Intimacy issues" and has no idea how to "let go". There are no such "should" or "need" to be in Watsu. People want to just show up for themselves in this watery realm with a confident and experienced Watsu Therapist.
It is All Good! Thank goodness I can speak from 15 years of experience as a Watsu Therapist at the Canyon Ranch Resort.

[Davida]

I follow google alert for watsu as well Sara, and as you say, its important to clarify any misunderstandings of our work. blessings...

[Tom Cobian]

Hi Susan,
Supporting your idea regarding working with client FEARs, I understood you to say
"Being present with the client's issues and allowing their process to unfold" are skills of highly trained therapists. I believe the mystery we experience in treating someone is to how to navigate a client's traumatic issues at a given moment for their highest healing?! ...

As a general note: I am recommending David Sawyer's work for understanding trauma and how to work with it if anyone is looking for more skills as I am immensely thankful for it.
Tom

[Sulis (Sara Firman)]

Here is another example where the (first-time I believe) experience was positive but there is a reference that illustrates what comes up:

I closed my eyes and surrendered to the movement, the music… and curiously felt a rising of emotion moving through me like a tide, carrying along old thoughts and memories, very old feelings from a long time ago. They just rose and rose and rose… and then dissipated, leaving me limp with wonder and peace. It was a strangely intimate and yet incredibly private experience – Taylore was turning me, moving me, massaging me in this almost embryonic place, but I was deep inside my own self, with great solitude. I felt both contained, and yet as vast as space.