Relaxation is at the top of just about every vacationer’s agenda. For some, tranquility is simply kicking back on the beach, toes in the sand. Others may unwind straddling a jet ski or gambling in a casino. In a quest to provide a relaxation outlet that is attractive to both loungers in search of blissful pleasures and adventurers seeking new experiences, many day spas in the Caribbean have added Watsu massage to their menu of leisure luxuries.

Watsu (whose name is derived from WATer shiatSU) combines hydrotherapy with Zen Shiatsu, and is, at its most basic level, a floating massage. Certified therapists, who are required to spend hundreds of hours learning and perfecting the techniques, combine a acupressure with long strokes over the body’s energy fields—all while the client is submerged in water.

The buoyancy experienced in water allows the therapist to apply stretches and muscle manipulations that are not normally possible. The interaction of therapist and client spawns a water ballet of sorts. Even the most ungraceful become swan-like while enveloped in the support of both the water and the therapist . As the body swishes effortlessly through the water, joints are stabilized, tissues stretched, and energy pathways are opened.

This relatively new concept, the brainchild of San Franciscan Harold Dull, began its growth in Harbin Hot Springs, California, and has matured over the past twenty years into the massage of choice for many physical and massage therapists worldwide. Going beyond relaxation, Watsu is also prescribed for chronic back pain, orthopedic problems, arthritis, sleep disorders, fibromyalgia, and a host of other conditions.

Just as the body enjoys a physical release with this technique, so too does the mind. With eyes closed and ears submerged, outside interferences are virtually erased. Shut off from outside distractions, the mental peace and quiet is likened by some to be a womb-like experience. The flowing movements are said to yield a feeling of freedom and a mental separation from both the stresses of daily life and the mind-body connection to physical pain.

Whether enjoyed for its soothing massage techniques, utilized as an aid for ailments, relished for its stress reducing effects, or a combination of all of the above, Watsu is an optimal holistic experience that can be enjoyed by all.

    
Photography by Steve Keith

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