WATSU® (soon!)
A pause held by water. A gentle invitation to float, soften and return to yourself.
Imagine stepping into warm water and letting the day's momentum fall away. WATSU, a name drawn from water and Shiatsu, brings gentle bodywork into a pool. Instead of holding yourself upright or working through an exercise, you are supported as the water carries your weight and movement unfolds around you.
The intention
The aim is to create room for deep relaxation, comfortable movement and a quieter awareness of the body. With less effort needed to support yourself, you can explore what it feels like to soften rather than push, and to receive rather than perform.
How a session unfolds
A session begins with a conversation about your comfort, expectations and health considerations. In the water, Ofir supports and guides your floating body through slow rocking, gentle stretches, flowing movements and Shiatsu-inspired touch. Small flotation supports can add buoyancy, creating a soothing sense of weightlessness. The pace and movements are adapted to you, with space to pause or adjust whenever needed.
A warm-water setting
WATSU takes place in a comfortably heated pool, typically around 95°F (35°C), with water deep enough for the standing practitioner to support the recipient. Warmth, buoyancy and attentive support shape the experience. There is no workout to complete, just a gentle rhythm of movement and stillness.
What it may offer
For some people, the experience brings a welcome easing of muscular tension, a sense of calm and a feeling of freer, more comfortable movement. Like resting on a slow-moving tide, the body has an opportunity to let go of unnecessary effort.
Research suggests possible benefits for pain, physical function and emotional well-being, but the evidence remains limited and stronger studies are needed. Each person's experience is different.
Stress and emotional well-being
When life feels loud, warm water can offer a quieter place to land. Gentle movement, buoyant support and attentive touch may help ease the physical tension that accompanies stress, encourage relaxation and bring attention back to the present moment. For some people, this creates a welcome sense of calm, body awareness and emotional ease. There is no need to force a feeling or achieve a particular response.
Support after trauma
For people living with post-traumatic stress or PTSD, WATSU may be considered as complementary support for relaxation, when appropriate and coordinated with mental-health care. Preliminary research into specially adapted, trauma-informed aquatic therapy has reported improvements in PTSD symptoms, but this does not establish that standard WATSU treats PTSD.
Comfort and choice matter throughout. Water, touch and close physical support can feel different for each person, so suitability and boundaries should be discussed before a session. You can request changes, pause or stop at any time. WATSU complements, rather than replaces, psychotherapy or other established PTSD treatment.
Coming soon. Ofir completed his WATSU training and certification in Israel. This service is being prepared and is not yet available to book. Pool location, availability and booking details will be shared when it launches.
Learn more: WATSU session guide · WABA applications overview · Research review · Trauma-informed aquatic therapy study