The Origins of Aquatic Bodywork

Aquatic Bodywork was created about 30 years ago, as Watsu, by Harold Dull, a massage therapist and poet, at Harbin Hot Springs, California. He brought into the water the stretches and principles of the Zen Shiatsu that he had studied with its creator, Shizuto Masunaga, in Japan. As Alexander Georgeakopoulos, the creator of Healing Dance, put it, “Watsu evolved from Zen Shiatsu, rather like how dolphins evolved from an earlier land dwelling species, taking to the water to become freer…”

Today there are many other branches of aquatic modalities, such as Water Release Therapy, Water Dance, Healing Dance, Aquatic Integration, Jahara Technique, to name a few of them.

Watsu literally means Water + Shiatsu, but it is more than that. Aquatic bodywork is recognized as one of the most profound aquatic physical therapy methods available today, as increasing numbers of therapists have incorporated Watsu into their treatment programs. It is now practiced a spas, medical clinics, health centers, and hospitals in over 90 countries, by massage and physical therapists, psychologists, and even in professional sports!