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Sara Firman (Sulis)
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Vision Spa Retreat & Aquapoetics with Sulis (Sara Firman)

Latest Activity

Sara Firman (Sulis) posted a blog post

Working with military personnel and vets

If you're interested in working with military personnel and vets, please take a look at this video and the comments it has brought. As warm water aquatic bodyworkers our practice can evoke even more strongly the softness of voice and approach that is being RECONSIDERED here ... at least at first.Aside from the use of language and tone that more effectively matches the receiver's own ...  I'm reminded of how, with people who are wound-up or muscle-bound-up such that their bodies also carry that…See More
May 3
Sara Firman (Sulis) left a comment for Princess
"Hi Roseline, Have you already started your Watsu® training?  There are some others here with a passion for ocean experiences - you can do a search for them and I will also try to connect you.  There is  Maria-Teresa Solomons for…"
May 3
Sara Firman (Sulis) left a comment for ANNA WELTMAN
"Hi Anna - I should think that Watsu® would make a good mind-contrast to the focused discipline involved in competitive sport.  I noticed that you include expressive art therapy among your disciplines, which I think is very compatible with…"
Apr 26
Sara Firman (Sulis) replied to Sara Firman (Sulis)'s discussion Dance in the group Water and Creativity
"This event was a great success.  The next one will be in 2013.  You can see video from all over the world here: http://www.globalwaterdances.org/ ; I think it would be great to include some in-water dances next time round too."
Apr 9
Sara Firman (Sulis) left a comment for ESTRAN Gilles
"Hi Estran - swimming Alexander style is wonderful - I experienced that with Shaw in London years ago. You might like to join us in this Group: http://aquatictherapist.ning.com/group/waterandcreativity  .  Not much posted recently I'm…"
Apr 9
Sara Firman (Sulis) left a comment for Juli Germany
"So glad you joined Juli - Inika is here too (link) - and no doubt others you know.  There is a Healing Dancers Group here.  ~~~~"
Apr 4
Sara Firman (Sulis) left a comment for Dave Towe
"Hello again Dave - the new Wave Academy site looks wonderful - I look forward to following progress. "
Apr 3
Sara Firman (Sulis) commented on Kim Chamberlain (idowatsu)'s blog post Life is a balancing act
"I knew you'd have tested that carefully!  I also note that you are careful to check that the pool sanitation is not affected by reducing the pump time.  In Missouri the regulations for pools say: 'The recirculation system serving…"
Apr 3

Profile Information

How are you involved in aquatic therapy?
I began my water journey at Harbin Hot Springs, CA a decade ago in 1998 and have been devoted to this art-form ever since then.

My aquatic training (against a background of massage and movement), includes Watsu® 1-3, Waterdance 1+2, Jahara, Healing Dance® and Prenatal Journey. Also certification in spa water-based therapies and dreamwork in water.

But my real training has come through experience, and travel to many parts of the world on a quest for the deeper meaning and value of water - Israel, South Africa, United States, Europe.

I have had the opportunity to work with many different people in 5-star hotel spa (where I was also spa manager), nature retreat (as co-owner), and recently at the Bath Spa which inspired my pseudonym.

I have written for past issues of the Aquatic Resources Network's newsletter regards the value of the non-clinical approach to aquatic bodywork.

My particular interest is in investigating the role of the medium (water) and subtle energy effects. Also, in researching and documenting the 'nonclinical' aspects of aquatic bodywork.

My original degrees in Genetics (BSc. Hons) and Plant Breeding (MPhil) followed by more than 15 years working in scientific and medical publishing allow me to understand the scientific perspective.
Your discipline or title (PT, OT, CTRS, ATC, SLP, Watsu practitioner, adapted aquatics instructor, whatever!)
BSc., MPhil. LMT. Watsu® Therapist (WABA). Ai Chi Instructor. Owner of Vision Spa Retreat (green spa-retreat consultancy service + Aquapoetics (creative aquatic bodywork practice).
Location (city, state, country)
Missouri Ozarks
Do you have any teaching experience?
Exploring Alternative Aquatics: A Unique Workshop for Practitioners

An overview of the potential of non-clinical approaches to aquatic bodywork, including: definitions and distinctions; subtle energy effects of water; developing intuitive skills; benefits and applications;documentation and research. For experienced practitioners of aquatic therapy (especially those with Watsu® background). For more see: http://www.aquapoetics.com/2010/02/alternative-aquatics-workshop.html

Ai Chi Basic Certification
Main patient populations:
Adults
What unique products or services do you offer:
Developing a consultancy service aimed primarily at entrepreneurs who are interested in creating venues (esp. small-scale) and providing services in line with an authentic spa-retreat ethic. Special focus: WATER. See website below.

Also developing website for practicing or aspiring aquatic bodyworkers, any one interested in aquatic therapy (nonclinical), and describing my own approach to aquatic bodywork, Aquapoetics (link from site below or www.aquapoetics.com).
Website:
http://www.aquapoetics.com

Sara Firman (Sulis)'s Blog

Working with military personnel and vets

If you're interested in working with military personnel and vets, please take a look at this video and the comments it has brought. As warm water aquatic bodyworkers our practice can evoke even more strongly the softness of voice and approach that is being RECONSIDERED here ... at least at first.

Aside from the use of language and tone that more effectively matches the receiver's own ...  I'm reminded of how, with people who are wound-up or muscle-bound-up such that their bodies also…

Continue

Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:57pm

Floating through pregnancy with aquatic bodywork

A few posts back on my blog I wrote about Floating through pregnancy with aquatic bodywork (click to read full link). Here is a recent post (August 12) on a mother's blog describing just the kind of experience a practitioner hopes someone would have ... the baby looks a bit worried though :)



From…

Continue

Posted on August 16, 2010 at 10:31am

Ways to follow my writings on water and aquatic bodywork

Here are some other ways to:

  • connect with me
  • read my writings on aquatic bodywork and more
  • and share your own experiences too.


Subscribe to my weblog Aquapoetics: In the Flow by email or in your preferred reader (click the link to choose)



I also have a mini Blog - 'Short notes on a quest for… Continue

Posted on June 25, 2010 at 10:50am

An holistic approach to baby development, including Watsu

Just came across this delightful website Aqualight Babies in the UK. There are some delightful photos of babies and children underwater!



Extract:



Aqualight was the first baby swimming school in Northamptonshire founded in 2001 by International tutor Emmaline Kitson



Welcome.....to you and your baby’s beautiful confident future in the water.



Whatever your little…
Continue

Posted on June 4, 2010 at 8:08am

An invitation to get more out of your aquatic bodywork practice

Here's a link to just a few things I offer through my aquatic bodywork blog Aquapoetics: Creative Aquatic Bodywork that might help you to get more out of your aquatic bodywork practice or experience, and share your own passion for this special art.



Please do let me know what else… Continue

Posted on April 29, 2010 at 12:53pm

Sara Firman (Sulis)'s Videos

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Comment Wall (114 comments)

At 5:45am on June 28, 2008, Rosemary Herlong said…
Hi Sulis,

I'm leaving for the ATRI Symposium in 45 min.; so, my answer will be brief. I was using fabric in the water from something I learned at a symposium years earlier. I started attaching extra pieces of fabric to my pt (pool blankets to dry & wrap up in when they got out of the pool) when my aide said that they had a blanket someone made into a cape that I could use. I said, "great idea" get it. She said, "I was teasing". I said, "No, get it". Thus, FabriCaping was born. I came up with the word afterwards. I love it myself. I'm writing an article about it in more depth for the AWKA letter to be printed in the fall. I am producing and selling the capes. Would love to talk more with you later. Thanks for asking! I'll return on July 6.
At 4:16pm on June 29, 2008, Rosemary Herlong said…
It does help one to become more fluid with their movements. I like the way you described it in terms of flowing with the water. I just may use that this weekend when presenting the class on FabriCaping. Hopefully, soon I'll have a video of it on my website - www.waterspice.com. I'll let you know how things go with the class.
At 8:00pm on August 22, 2008, Jennifer Simm said…
Thank you very much for the invite. I love being a part of any aquatic network as this is my most favorite passion in life. Helping people with the wonderful world of aquatic therapy.
At 4:35am on August 23, 2008, Basia Szpak-Borst said…
June 2008 Here is the update on the Hungary Watsu Orphan Project.

It went extremely well with 4 volunteers for 5 hours working with 5 different houses (each house was home to 20 kids with professional round the clock shifts of parents) ranging in age from 3-24. Only 5 kids from each house came so the others felt left out. (Ages ranged in 9-15)

Deep emotions and visions came up for both children and watsu givers. At the moment the slide show and pictures of this event May 18 are waiting for permission to be shared with the public. They are concerned about singling out children in any publicity however they were open for group pictures and we are eager to share this breakthrough with other countries in a PR.

In a meeting June 15th of Hungarian Watsu 2 students) we voiced concerns, ideas and came to the conclusion to focus our efforts on one house over a period of 6 months starting September with monthly watsu sessions.

That would make 6 visits (one hour each way outside of Budapest), 7 volunteers watsuing approx 4-5 hours (45 min sessions) watsuing all the kids of the house including house parents and perhaps a psychologist working with them. There may be some fees for having a child psychologist involved to monitor and quantify things.

Some ideas of turning this into a professional research came up however we are keeping it a community project at this time.

There were no costs as the Orphan director was wife of the Spa Owner. They let them use the Spa for free 5 minutes away walking distance. Can travel expenses be re-imbursed for the volunteers for future visits?

Instead of building a site specific location there is a property with salt mineral spring water that can be made into a watsu retreat centre for the kids from all over Hungary, we proposed 2-3 days trips and retreats where we can open up to volunteers from all over the world top popularise this concept.

I made a suggestion that eventually if there is interest we can train the kids and adults to give to each others and make them self sufficient after the 6 months, they can plan activities to the Spa such as watsu. It seems that house parents are often keeping situations under control.

Meanwhile we can keep training more volunteers in Hungary, they are very excited about the positive feedback in our meeting at the orphanage where my Hungarian organizer Nandu translated, my co-ordinator Roland Farkas who initiated contact was there and 3 assistants : Ginny Marton, USA/ Brazil, Kristof Deneke, Germany and Jurgita Svediene, Lithuania as well as the Director of the Orphans of Komaron.

A proposal for these expenses, travel, psychologist and purchase of a center, in addition a training could be organized after the 6 months to bring these skills in house.
www.aquabodywork.com
At 12:15am on August 31, 2008, Yifat Cohen said…
Hi Sulis,
Thank you for inviting me to join Aquaticnet.
I have already contacted Andrea selzman and answered her interview. I am waiting for the article to be published.
What does it mean joining Team Aquaticnet? Could you please tell me a bit more about it?
Yifat
At 10:38am on September 2, 2008, Inika said…
Sulis,
So good to see you here. I hope all is going well and I will see you sometime, somewhere in the world.
much love, water sister,
Inika
At 3:15pm on September 5, 2008, Dave Towe said…
Sulis -
Thank you for the warm greeting! Wonderful to have an aquatic community, support, and share!
At 1:48pm on September 6, 2008, Ertan Tüfekçioğlu said…
Hello Sulis,
As you suppose we know each other in İstanbul. I see that we are growing up(enlarging). Our aim is to be one of the best group that heal people in the water.
Thanks for your interest.
Sincerely
At 11:50am on September 7, 2008, Sara Firman (Sulis) said…
A link to Harbin Hot Spring - where Watsu began!
At 12:45pm on September 8, 2008, Sheila Maxwell Cook said…
Sulis,
Thank you for the invitation to join the aquatic group. We do not teach Watsu at the School, teaching Massage Therapy keeps us busy! We do ,however, take our students to a pool for a class on aquatic massage as a pary of their hydrotherapy course, and we incourage therapists to take cont. education in aquatic work.

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Latest Activity

Juli Germany updated their profile
May 16
Juli Germany posted an event

Watsu I with Peggy Schoedinger!!! at Fort Collins, Colorado

July 18, 2012 to July 22, 2012
Watsu I with Peggy Schoedinger in Fort Collins, Colorado July 18-22!  Peggy is a Physical Therapist and certified Watsu Practitioner who has taught aquatic therapy for over 30 years on 6 different continents.  Her teaching style if fun, interactive, and dynamic!See More
May 16
Ilana Weinstein left a comment for Princess
"I came across your profile and see that you are in Ottawa...I am in Montreal.  I wanted to let you know that Basia, a wonderful instructor who lives in Europe will be coming to teach Watsu 1, 2, and 2-day Couples Watsu or Aquaternatives Intro,…"
May 16
Neil Segal is now a member of Aquatic Resources Network
May 7
Tomasz Zagorski and Princess are now friends
May 5
Princess updated their profile
May 4
Sara Firman (Sulis) posted a blog post

Working with military personnel and vets

If you're interested in working with military personnel and vets, please take a look at this video and the comments it has brought. As warm water aquatic bodyworkers our practice can evoke even more strongly the softness of voice and approach that is being RECONSIDERED here ... at least at first.Aside from the use of language and tone that more effectively matches the receiver's own ...  I'm reminded of how, with people who are wound-up or muscle-bound-up such that their bodies also carry that…See More
May 3
Sara Firman (Sulis) left a comment for Princess
"Hi Roseline, Have you already started your Watsu® training?  There are some others here with a passion for ocean experiences - you can do a search for them and I will also try to connect you.  There is  Maria-Teresa Solomons for…"
May 3
Princess is now a member of Aquatic Resources Network
May 3
ANNA WELTMAN left a comment for ANNA WELTMAN
"Hi Sara, I'm going to join your group.  thanks!!  I am interested in getting into Watsu and getting certified. I'm glad to be a part of this community now...nice to meet everyone! Anna"
May 1
Sara Firman (Sulis) left a comment for ANNA WELTMAN
"Hi Anna - I should think that Watsu® would make a good mind-contrast to the focused discipline involved in competitive sport.  I noticed that you include expressive art therapy among your disciplines, which I think is very compatible with…"
Apr 26
ANNA WELTMAN is now a member of Aquatic Resources Network
Apr 26
Cynthia Shortreed is now a member of Aquatic Resources Network
Apr 16
Matilda Ben Shoham posted a video
ברכת מים.mov
Apr 14
Matilda Ben Shoham commented on Matilda Ben Shoham's photo
Apr 13
Matilda Ben Shoham posted photos
Apr 13
ESTRAN Gilles left a comment for ESTRAN Gilles
"Hi Sara ! thank you for sharing... As a dancer I was confronting to Earth and Air elements, Water has been the main therapeutic element and a deep source of joy. I have learned a swimming program with a Vietnamien acupuncturist a very long time ago,…"
Apr 11
Sara Firman (Sulis) replied to Sara Firman (Sulis)'s discussion Dance in the group Water and Creativity
"This event was a great success.  The next one will be in 2013.  You can see video from all over the world here: http://www.globalwaterdances.org/ ; I think it would be great to include some in-water dances next time round too."
Apr 9
Sara Firman (Sulis) left a comment for ESTRAN Gilles
"Hi Estran - swimming Alexander style is wonderful - I experienced that with Shaw in London years ago. You might like to join us in this Group: http://aquatictherapist.ning.com/group/waterandcreativity  .  Not much posted recently I'm…"
Apr 9
ESTRAN Gilles is now a member of Aquatic Resources Network
Apr 9

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