Watsu Basic and Explorer Paths on Land and in Water

In 1980 Harold Dull began Watsu by floating friends in a warm pool applying the principles and stretches of the Zen Shiatsu he had studied with its creator on land in Japan. Today a hundred authorized instructors teach the Watsu that, with the aid of many, has evolved to help millions of all ages in clinics, spas, and backyard pools around the world. This book illustrates what is taught in their first 50 hours of classes, a simple but complete Watsu that you can share with family and friends. It also introduces Tantsu (Watsu on Land) and an adaptation of Watsu for a home spa. When Harold saw, and experienced, how much Watsu benefits both the holder and the held, he started developing ways these benefits can be accessible to everybody. Tantsu and Tantsuyoga brings Watsu’s way of working with the body as a whole and its deep connection through the breath to those without pools. Harold found that helping each other in threes accelerates learning while adding a new level of benefits. This book presents the stages and step-by-step instructions for joining and leading two friends through the complete-in-itself Watsu Round, and/or Tansuyoga. This book introduces the Explorer Path on which watsuers from all levels join and explore moves and themes in teams of three, and in rounds that encourage spontaneity and creativity. In this book’s Tandem Watsu, float a third between you. Take turns being the one who supports and the one who explores the powerful stretches the other’s support facilitates. Contained between you, whatever the stretches release often finds its way up their spine. A Tandem Tantsuyoga that can be shared anywhere is also introduced. This book also includes the many discoveries made at each stage of Watsu and Tantsu’s long development.