What is Watsu? Watsu is an aquatic therapy that combines techniques from massage, shiatsu, Thai Chi and yoga. Watsu was developed by poet and Zen shiatsu teacher Harold Dull 25 years ago at Harbin Hot Springs in Northern California.

We share this sacred movement in a warm (approximately 96 degrees) salt pool that was designed just for this therapy. You have floats beneath your knees and are completely supported as I take your body through a series of stretches and movements that are both deeply nurturing and profoundly relaxing. This is a relatively new therapy and is quickly spreading to healing centers and spas worldwide.

Watsu is a safe way to treat any stress related symptoms such as neck and back pain, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and arthritis. It is wonderful to experience the feeling of floating. Water allows you to be taken out of gravity while supporting the back. This takes pressure off the vertebrae, which allows the spine to be gently and passively stretched.

Along with the physical therapeutic benefits, Watsu also gives you an invitation to experience greater feelings of peace and well being. Most people are deeply moved into a meditative state and feel completely rejuvenated after a session. I have had many clients say that their watsu session was the best experience of their lives.

Things you may experience while receiving Watsu therapy:

• Moments of insight into your life
• Unwinding old patterns of holding or pain
• Healing from past traumas i.e. near drowning experiences and fear of water
• Mind, body and soul integration
• Moving out of gravity and into your center
• Suspending and/or having the feeling of transcending time
• Enjoy the feelings from being completely nurtured and supported

Prenatal Watsu Therapy: I specialize in giving Watsu sessions to women who are expecting. Clients in their final trimester find Watsu soothing, relaxing and nurturing because the warm water provides an environment of weightlessness. In one account I helped reverse a breach situation by gently turning the mommy over in the water in special patterns and later she had a normal delivery! Sometimes, at the end of a session, I invite the papa's to come in the water too. It can be a very special for the family to share that intimate experience. I love feeling the baby kicking and moving. It is quite an honor to hold space for that being and welcome it into life sending messages of love and peace.

I offer Watsu at a beautiful outdoor sanctuary in Oceanside, California. Sessions are given in a new state of the art Watsu "lagoon" that has water in it from sacred sites from all over the world. Evening sessions are particularly special. The lagoon has colored fiber optics and the garden has tiki torches and a fire pit. It is not uncommon for friends or lovers to come and while one person receives the other person can soak in the hot tub or meditate in one of the comfortable lounge chairs until it is their turn. The average depth of the lagoon is around 4 feet, so even people who don't know how to swim feel safe.

Watsu is wonderful to experience in all weather and seasons even when it is cold and gray outside. Receiving a Watsu treatment is like going on a mini-vacation. It is a good idea not to be in a hurry after a Watsu treatment. You will most likely want to go home to continue relaxing. I often recommend journaling and/or meditating afterwards to integrate the session and do whatever you need to do to sustain the feeling of expansion and peace.

Sessions typically last an hour. All you need is a bathing suit and a towel. There is a bathroom to change into your suit and for showers.

My Training

I first learned Watsu while getting my Massage Certification over 15 years ago. Since then, I have been trained and certified by Harold Dull at Harbin Hot Springs, which is reputed to be the best Watsu training facility in the world.

To make an appointment please call: (760) 828-8877.

Gift certificates are available.