Watsu: The Origin Of Chiropractic Warts
If you asked an unprofessional in Asian bodywork what the distinction between watsu and massage is there could be some confusion and possibly even some wrongly-guided suggestions on how to do watsu. However the distinctions between them are very clear. It is important to know the differences between the various kinds of watsu before you begin your own training.
Watsu is also known by the names Japanese Shiatsu or Watsu massage. It is a kind of therapeutic bodywork that is hands-on and used primarily for passive and deep stretching. Watsu is typically performed in private sessions with a therapist or practitioner who gently massages the body, manipulates, or stretches, or gently rubs the receiver in warm, body-confessed water. The goal is to unclog the energetic channels, remove tension from the body, and restore flexibility, healing stiffness and relieve the receiver of tension.
Watsu isn't like other types of bodywork that concentrates on a specific part of the body. This gentle form of bodywork utilizes fingers and hands of practitioners to treat different muscle groups. Many who have received this kind of treatment have described it as like receiving a relaxing massage but without the pressure and stress of massage therapy. While some therapists utilize a combination of touch and manipulation to get results, most practitioners focus on hands-on techniques and only occasionally employ warm, soothing water or music.
Unlike most forms of traditional Japanese treatment, watsu does not focus on the cause of illness but on its effect. In this way instead of focusing on the problem itself, the treatment works on relieving the patient's stress and tension through gentle and focused stretches and manipulation. As a result patients notice a decrease in pain, a sense of relaxation, and an ability to regulate their breathing and heart rate. This lets them live a more satisfying and active lifestyle. Watsu treatments can help you relieve tension, restore range and motion and improve flexibility and muscle strength, achieve deep relaxation, and relieve tension and mental stress.
The majority of people who receive watsu are taught both water therapy and watsu at the same time. They are usually offered an individualized treatment plan that incorporates both watsu and aqua therapy. This helps them strengthen their bodies and minds. Sessions can be casual and short, lasting just a few moments at a time or lasting up to an hour. In between sessions, those who participate in aquatic bodywork such as Watsu can receive stretching and relaxation techniques. They can also receive massage treatments that utilize only the soft tissues and muscles of the body, such as Acupressure and swedish massage (see more). Drinking herbal teas are also common practices in watsu sessions.
Based on descriptions of traditional Chinese medicine Watsu (the medical term used to describe this type of treatment) is part of a larger field known as "Majja" or "Bodywork." Like shiatsuand wabi, wabi believed to help maintain a balance of chi or qi within the body. However, unlike shiatsu or other forms of bodywork, wabi is done by trained, certified therapists who perform a series of gentle stretching and exercises using their feet and hands to apply pressure to specific areas of the body, instead of the use of tools made of metal.
There are many kinds of watsu. Some therapists are referred to as "chiros" while others are Reiki masters. According to the reiki council of early 1980s, the most significant differences between shiatsu and Watsu are in the technique used for the delivery of healing energy as well as the focus on breathing control and balance. As western medical schools have started to recognize the beneficial effects of reiki to the medical profession in general there has been an increasing interest in learning this ancient method of alternative health care, with over twenty reiki schools available across the globe today.
Reiki was first introduced to the world of westerners in 2021 by Dr. Mikao Usui, an ordained Japanese Christian minister who had been studying a version of eastern medicine for a number of years. Dr. Usui's teachings quickly spread across Japan and brought it into the minds of many westerners who were amazed by its gentle, natural method of healing. Today, hundreds of thousands of people across the globe continue to practice Reiki. Reiki is not only popular for westerners, but also in the eastern nations like China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. People are increasingly interested in incorporating reiki into their daily lives due to the increasing exposure.
