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Watsu is
the world of warm water massage. That's a lot of Ws, and Watsu client Susan
Greene would add one more: wonderful. Greene says she enjoys Watsu therapy
because it combines several things she loves: water, hot tubs, massage and
yoga. The therapy provides gentle stretches and is very relaxing. After
her Watsu session, Greene was so relaxed she couldn't help yawning. But its benefits go beyond the physical, said Greene; the water therapy is also mentally rejuvenating and gives her a fresh outlook on life. "It's like going back to the womb," she said. Watsu is provided by Jeanie Tiff of northwest Fort Collins, who calls herself Watsu Woman. A graduate of the Boulder School of Massage Therapy, she has operated a massage practice, Jeanie's Touch, for 14 years. Tiff took 250 hours of specialized training to become certified in Watsu and has now been practicing warm water massage for almost three years. She is enthusiastic about what Watsu can do for her clients. During a typical Watsu session, Tiff holds the client and slowly swirls him or her through the water, at the same time stretching and massaging the muscle tissue. Part of the time, the client is held quietly in the water or gently rocked. There is no talking during a Watsu session, because the client's ears are in the water, blocking sound. This quietness allows a person to be more meditative, noted Tiff. Breathing is also an important component of the therapy, with the body rising slightly in the water as the person breathes in and sinking slightly when he or she exhales. Tiff said people are attracted to Watsu for a variety of reasons. Many come for the first time because of stress, muscle tightness or soreness. Others come to try a new experience. But generally, clients receive more than they expected, said Tiff. For instance, there are some stretch's that are difficult on land but possible in the water because of the buoyancy that water offers. There are also the mental health benefits that derive both from the warm water and being held gently by another person, something Tiff refers to as "the heart connection." Warm water therapy is especially beneficial for certain conditions, noted Tiff. For pregnant women, time in the water provides them with a feeling of being lighter. For senior citizens with mobility problems, the warm water loosens muscles and joints. Watsu is good for physically handicapped people, too. The warm water can increase flexibility, and it is helpful for stimulating circulation in paralyzed limbs. Watsu is also good therapy for people who are redeveloping trust, said Tiff, including women who have been traumatized in past relationships. "The theory of Watsu," she explained, "is that it's about being with a person, as opposed to doing something to them." Tiff said she has the most positive results with people who like water and have positive memories about being in the water. But Watsu, in conjunction with psychotherapy, can also help people work out past fears about water, she noted, when they have had experiences such as boating accidents. As a final plus, Tiff said she receives benefits herself while giving Watsu, both from the warm water and the connection to other people. More and more people are turning to massage for a variety of benefits. Watsu just might be the way to get one's feet wet. Watsu sessions are by appointment only. Published with permission of North Forty News, ©2000. |
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