WATSU® Aquatic Bodywork & Therapy

WATSU® is the world’s first form of aquatic bodywork using passive stretching, acupressure, and massage while floating the receiver in warm water. Harold Dull studied Zen Shiatsu under Master Shizuto Masunaga. Harold Dull’s union of this work and California hotsprings in the 1980’s has since grown to incorporate various other techniques and gain international recognition.

Healing Dance® developed from Watsu® and WaterDance™ (Arjana Brunschwiler) by Alexander George incorporates his professional background in ballet and Trager work. Collaborating closely with Inika Spence-Whaley and others, the techniques incorporate three dimensions, spirals, movement or fluidity.

Aquatic Integration™ encourages sensory integration through touch, communication, stillness, and movement . Rooted in Watsu® and neuro somatic assessment, Cameron West's Aquatic Integration bridges Eastern and Western approaches to healing.

Underwater sessions add a spacious experience to a session. Let your practitioner know if you would like to experience this.

Modifications can be made to assist you having a safe and enjoyable experience whether that includes using special flotation devices, shorter sessions, and/or cooler water (e.g., for those with MS).

The 30 minute session is recommended if the body is deconditioned or prone to soreness after little movement (i.e., fibromyalgia, ME, long COVID, etc.)

Adapted Aquatics Jennifer has trained and taught individuals with a range of disabilities and ages in both class and one-on-one instruction. Activities such as water safety, swimming, and aquatic exercise are modified to meet the individual goals and needs of the participants.

• Decreased heart rate
• Decreased blood pressure
• Decreased rate of respiration
• Increased depth of respiration
• Increased peripheral vasodilation
• Increased urine production secondary to a decrease in the antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
• Decreased oedema due to improved movement of lymph, secondary to the compressive force of hydrostatic pressure
• Improved smooth muscle activity, including muscles of digestion.
• Decreased activation of striated muscles (less tension in skeletal muscles) resulting in decreased muscle tension and muscle spasm.
• Improved soft tissue mobility.
• Improved range of motion in many joints.
• Decreased reticular activating system activity (often resulting in improved sleep).
• Improved circulation because the heart functions more efficiently when the body is immersed, and
• hydrostatic pressure increases venous blood return to the heart.
• Decreased joint compression, including decreased spinal compression
• Decreased pain that is frequently reported by clients
• Deep relaxation
• Decreased hypertonicity, especially spasticity, for clients who have neurological conditions with associated hypertonicity. This decrease is the result of rhythmical movements in warm water, coupled with repeated trunk rotation, trunk elongation, and specific techniques to decrease spasticity that can be incorporated into WATSU® sessions.

• Don’t forget your togs. You may wish to bring your own towel, toiletries and water bottle. (earplugs optional)
• Arrive promptly
• You may park in driveway or on road in front of house
• Enter through side gate which will be open
• Follow along ramped path and enter pool area
• If you haven't completed an intake form online or via email prior, Jennifer will ask you to complete prior to your session.
• There is opportunity to ask further questions and discuss in confidence any concerns you may have.
• There is a changing room with toilets as well as a private outdoor shower.
• SHOWER before entering the pool. It is important for you to remove any body lotions - even if you put on at beginning of day it can still make your skin slippery.
• Access to pool is via stairs with handrails or transfer bench.
• Wait to enter pool until instructed to do so.
• There is a roof over pool to keep sun and rain at bay.

• Bring your swimsuit/togs/bather/trunks
• Earplugs are optional
• Drinking water provided following session, but you may wish to bring a water bottle to continue your hydration.
• Towels provided but you may wish to bring your own

• Depending on your floatability Jennifer may apply floats to your legs. Sometime a head pillow or fabric noodle may also be used.
• Let go - relax
• Let Jennifer know if anything is uncomfortable
• No need to assist
• Most people close their eyes, but you do what is most comfortable for you
• Unless requesting underwater session your face will remain above water.

Yes, we deliver our treatment in a warm water pool ~34-36C.

Yes, you can use earplugs. They can be inserted after your session induction

Yes, our pool has a roof to keep off rain and the harsh sun's rays.

• Your practitioner will bring you into an upright position placing your hips and back touching the side of pool, feet on floor, and remove any floats.
• Take your time to settle back into your body - if time allows move around the pool.
• Feel free to shower again.
• Drink a glass of water and stay well hydrated the rest of the day

I will follow-up with typically within the first few days after your first session to see how you have felt by phone or email. If you have any questions or concerns prior to hearing from me feel free to get in touch via phone or email.