The Heart of WATSU®

Book excerpt: WATSU® is an innovative water-based therapy with roots in Japanese Zen Shiatsu. Each chapter in this book enlightens practitioners on the ways in which WATSU® is being used clinically by experts across the globe in a variety of therapeutic settings. Its primary purpose is to provide anecdotal, practical and clinical tools to integrate the heart and science of WATSU® for special needs populations. WATSU®'s unique movements, breathwork, intention, embodiment and heart are steeped in a unifying theme of adaptation across a plethora of therapeutic spectrums. Using frameworks that are within the realms of aquatic rehabilitation, integrative medicine and wellness program models, the authors discuss the current research that is being documented. They explain how therapists can dive into practice with a deep understanding of this unique form of water therapy and use these techniques with clients with PTSD, chronic pain and neuromuscular disorders, as well as in palliative and hospice care and pediatric settings.