What Is WATSU®
WATSU® (Water Shiatsu) is one of the most innovative wellness arts in the world. It was born in the unique and vibrant 1980s, a time rich in passion and creative energy — through the intuition, research, and poetic vision of Harold Dull, inspired by his utopian humanistic outlook.
WATSU® is practiced in body-temperature water (approximately 34.5°C / 94°F), combining the ancient principles of Shiatsu with the therapeutic and regenerative qualities of warm water.
Receiving WATSU® means surrendering to a supported float, offered with care and deep listening. Within this protected space, the body experiences a state of trusting release, enhanced by the qualities naturally evoked when immersed in water.
Through a rhythmic alternation of stillness and movement, a harmonious dance unfolds. In connection with the breath, the body is invited to explore free, organic movements emerging from a deep inner source.
Benefits
- Enhances proprioception and self-awareness
- Promotes deep surrender and trust
- Creates a new “imprinting” in touch — receiving care transforms the perception of bodily relationship
- Restores greater joint mobility and connective tissue fluidity
- Supports regulation of biological cycles — sleep, digestive function, heart coherence, menstrual cycle
- Supports balance of the Autonomic Nervous System, harmonising sympathetic and parasympathetic activity
- Reduces stress, fostering greater presence and improved emotional regulation
- Encourages mental clarity through deep relaxation
- Supports the perinatal field — accompanying birth and growth through their various stages
- Promotes a state of inner silence and profound calm
Who It Is For
- Those wishing to embark on a path of personal growth, using water as a mirror and tool for transformation
- Those who want to transform their relationship with water, overcoming fears or resistance
- Individuals going through challenging life phases marked by stress, fatigue, or emotional overload
- Those seeking a pause from daily noise, to immerse themselves in deep listening and inner silence
- In synergy with clinical and rehabilitation pathways — WATSU® can support people living with fibromyalgia, joint or spinal issues, autoimmune diseases, and Parkinson’s disease
- People with disabilities, offering an experience of freedom of movement difficult to achieve on land
- The perinatal field — pregnant women, expecting couples, new parents, and newborns
- Couples wishing to explore new levels of contact, trust, and attunement
- Athletes, to support fascial release and cultivate mental calm
Born from the continuous research of its creator, WATSU® has spread worldwide, enriched by the visions of professionals from diverse fields: physiotherapists, counselors, osteopaths, psychotherapists, and artists. This cross-pollination of expertise has shaped WATSU® into a comprehensive and structured discipline, capable of dialoguing with a wide range of integrated health needs.
Today, in Italy, WATSU® is not only a body-based practice, but a true supportive tool for personal growth.