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Watsu in the Water: Aquatic Bodywork

Updated: Jan 16


Ready to float away the stress of your day?


Imagine slipping into warm water, your body instantly feeling lighter, cradled, and supported. There’s no weight to carry, no tension to hold onto. You’re not just floating—you’re being gently swayed, stretched, and massaged as the water takes over. This is where aquatic bodywork begins—a deeply relaxing and therapeutic experience that merges water’s natural buoyancy with healing touch.



Capybara Bathhouse - Mouna - The Quiet Time

"To float, to be held unconditionally by water.  The aquatic world offers a fluid expanse to both mind and body.



WHAT IS WATSU


Aquatic bodywork has its roots in a technique called Watsu, created by Harold Dull in the early 1980s. Originally developed in the healing springs of California, Watsu is the first method of aquatic bodywork and remains one of the most practiced forms today. In a Watsu session, the recipient floats on the water’s surface, while the practitioner gently moves their body through a series of stretches, twists, and holds. The warm water helps to ease muscle tension, increase circulation, and promote a sense of deep relaxation that’s hard to find on land.

  



THE BASICS


Water, by its very nature, is nurturing. It holds you, making you feel safe, weightless, and free. But the true essence lies in its simplicity. In warm water, around 35°C, the body’s tension melts away. This is one of the key benefits of aquatic bodywork: the ability to fully relax in a way that’s hard to achieve on land. As the practitioner guides you through the water, your muscles loosen, joints feel freer, and the mind begins to let go. This warmth soothes the nervous system, and allows the muscles to relax and the mind to let go. The gentle movements of aquatic bodywork help to align breath with the flow of water.


This fluid environment encourages your nervous system to shift into a state of deep relaxation. As your ears dip just below the surface, the world quiets. The combination of warmth, gentle movements, and the sound of your own breath creates a meditative state, where your mind can finally slow down.



THE BENEFITS


The warm water and gentle movements work together to ease joint pain, loosen tight muscles, and melt away tension. The unique sensation of being supported by water allows your body to fully relax in ways that are hard to achieve on land.


The benefits go beyond immediate comfort. Aquatic bodywork helps improve sleep, aids digestion, reduces stress, and provides deep relaxation. It’s a soothing, restorative experience that leaves you feeling lighter, more at ease, and free from the physical strains of daily life.




HOW DOES A SESSION FEEL?


A typical session begins with you floating on the surface of the water. Your ears are submerged and floats are placed around the thighs to assist with positive buoyancy. A receiver will experience their body being cradled, bent and lengthened. There are moments of stillness too.


The movements are gentle but effective, focusing on releasing tension in the muscles and increasing the range of motion in your joints. The practitioner might stretch your arms, bend your legs, or twist your torso—always in a way that feels soothing and natural.


There are also moments of stillness, where you simply float and allow the water to do the work. During these pauses, you’ll feel the water’s gentle pressure on your skin, almost as if it’s giving you a soft massage. This hydrostatic pressure helps to improve circulation, decrease stress, and stimulate your body’s natural healing processes.



AQUATIC BODYWORK AT CAPYBARA


There’s something soothing on the horizon at Capybara Bathhouse, and it’s flowing your way. We’re introducing Aquatic Bodywork Watsu Sessions—an experience like no other. Let us introduce Paula Choi, Capybara Bathhouse's Watsu Therapist.


Paula is one of the few qualified Water Therapists in Australia, bringing over twenty years of experience in holistic healthcare. Her journey began with acupuncture, earning her degree from UTS Sydney, and she has since expanded her expertise with qualifications in aquatic bodywork, remedial massage, hatha yoga, tai chi chuan, and sound therapy.


Sessions with Paula at Capybara Bathhouse are designed to harmonise the mind-heart-body connection, drawing from the wisdom of Oriental medicine, aquatic awareness, and restorative movement. No matter where you are in life, Paula’s gentle, holistic approach will help you reconnect and restore balance.




 


That's not all! We’re also getting ready to introduce some special events and one off sessions that’ll have you moving, breathing, and flowing like never before. Curious? Keep an eye on our socials—you’ll want to be in the loop when it all kicks off!





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