Experience…
The Ultimate in Relaxation…
Watsu & Waterdance®
At a Secluded Private location
Now in Hollywood, Florida
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Transformational Healingwork through Profound Relaxation…
According to Harvard Medical School, Stanford University Medical School, the Mayo Clinic, the Centers for Disease Control and numerous other research centers:
There is one source for up to 95% of all illnesses and disease and that is Stress.
The remaining is due to genetic predisposition which, in turn, is triggered by Stress.
“Too much stress for too long creates what is known as ‘chronic stress’ which has been linked to heart disease, stroke, and may also influence cancer and chronic respiratory diseases. And illness is just the tip of the iceberg. Stress affects you emotionally, as well, marring the joy you gain from life and loved ones.”
~Harvard Medical School.
What is Watsu?
Watsu®, in its many forms and variations (including Waterdance, Healing Dance, Watsu Jahara®, etc) are passive forms of Aquatic Therapy & Bodywork intended to achieve profound levels of relaxation in the client.
They are characterized by one-on-one sessions, in which the practitioner or therapist gently cradles, moves, stretches and massages the receiver in chest-deep warm water (around 35°C = 95°F).
The client is continuously supported while being back-floated, rhythmically cradled, moved, stretched, and massaged. These modalities combine elements of muscle stretching, joint mobilization, Shiatsu, massage, yoga, meditation and even dance.
Watsu® & Waterdance® are deeply nurturing and healing modalities which resemble our familiar and intimate experience of being held as an infant, floating weightless, in the total safety of our mother’s womb.
A New Approach to Healing…
Aquatic healing practices, such as Watsu® and Waterdance®, can be transformative and re-birth like experiences that can help to rewire the brain and reset the parasympathetic nervous system. This can lead to a deep healing state that is regenerative on multiple levels, including physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. The result is often a sense of Wholeness and total well-being.
“Water is the softest thing, yet it can penetrate mountains and earth. This shows clearly the principle of softness overcoming hardness.” – Lao Tzu
Floating weightless in body temperature water allows the central nervous system to relax to the point that it doesn’t need to compensate for external stimuli, such as temperature differences. This creates a state of deep relaxation that is enhanced by the therapist’s gentle cradling, leading to a feeling of safety and relaxation that is similar to the safety and Oneness experienced in the womb.
As the body and mind relax into this state, tensions, unconscious defenses, and stored traumas can easily melt away, leading to an expansive and blissful experience of wholeness and oneness. It is in this state of surrender that old holding patterns, emotions, and traumas can be released effortlessly, allowing for healing and repair to take place.
Benefits:
Watsu® and Aquatic Healingwork® can be particularly helpful for reducing stress, slowing the effects of aging, and providing transformative healing. These practices offer a variety of potential benefits
Here are just 10 of the Benefits that Watsu® and Aquatic Healingwork® provide:
- For Stress and Stress Related illnesses: Watsu® is a helpful tool in the management of stress and stress related illnesses, as the relaxation and stress reduction provided by the treatment can help to alleviate and sometimes resolve symptoms.* Read more about it here.
- For Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) & Depression): It can be a helpful treatment for those with anxiety, panic attacks, depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as the relaxation provided by the treatment can help to resolve deep seated trauma and release repressed emotions. Click here for a testimonial from a veteran.*
- For Improved Sleep: Watsu® can also be a helpful treatment for those with Insomnia and Sleep Disorders as it can resolve underlying conditions that may be preventing the nervous system from fully relaxing. It’s common to hear reports of “sleeping like a baby” after a Watsu® session.*
- For Improved Immune Function: It can help to improve immune function by reducing stress and promoting relaxation, which can have a positive impact on overall health.
Healing Dance
- It can also be a helpful treatment for those with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, as the relaxation and stress reduction provided by the treatment can help to improve energy levels and restorative sleep.*
- It can be a beneficial treatment for those with Chronic Pain & Fibromyalgia, as the relaxation and stress reduction provided by the treatment can help to alleviate symptoms such as muscle pain and fatigue. A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in 2006 examined the effects of Watsu® on a group of individuals with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition often associated with trauma. The study found that Watsu® treatment was associated with significant reductions in pain, fatigue, and depression in participants.*
- Watsu® can help to Improve Flexibility and Range of Motion by stretching and massaging muscles while they are supported by the buoyancy of the water.* This study showed statistically significant improvements on those with Arthritis in physical functioning, disability index, distress index, and functional health status after treatment compared to conventional hydrotherapy.
- It can also help to Improve Digestion not only by the massaging of the digestive organs and relieving muscle tension but because Watsu® resets the nervous system, stimulating the Parasympathetic nervous system which stimulates digestion.*
- It can help to Improve Cardiovascular Health by improving circulation and reducing blood pressure. Watsu® resets the fight & flight response of the sympathetic nervous system, stimulating the parasympathetic (or autonomous) nervous system.*
- It can also be a Beneficial Form of Exercise for those who have physical limitations or disabilities that make traditional exercise challenging.*
Testimonials
“Probably one of the best healing sessions you can experience here in town! Alex is truly an amazing healer. He is able to hold an incredible amount of space and took me deep into my process where he met me with skillful mastery, guidance, compassion and unconditional love…“
~Ella White
“The Watsu Therapy I had at Health & Light Institute was an experience to be relished. I felt so safe and supported with Alejandro. One can truly be vulnerable with him and in that safety, healing and transformation occur. I highly recommend this healing journey to anyone and everyone who wants to expand, heal and grow. Thank you, Alex from the bottom of my heart.“
~Jessica Daya
“Alex is a powerful healer. His watsu sessions are beautiful and liberating. I loved the way he guided my body to relax and let go to deeper levels while in the warm water. I felt safe with him. His backyard is a very peaceful environment and the warmth of his pool helps the body relax.“
~Jenny Mirambeau
Watsu Miami in the News (in Spanish):
More Information:
- Mitigating Stress & Releasing Trauma Through Aquatic Healingwork & Watsu
- Dive into Healing: Your Top 10 FAQs About Watsu Therapy
- The Healing Path of Deep Relaxation for Personal Growth
- Watsu: A Therapeutic Approach for Pain Reduction & Arthritis Relief
- How can Watsu & Aquatic Healingwork Help with Stress and Stress Related Diseases.
- Benefits of Watsu & Aquatic Healingwork for Pain Relief and Fibromyalgia.
- How Watsu and Aquatic Healingwork can Help with Anxiety, Resolving Trauma and Managing PTSD.
- Benefits of Aquatic Bodywork during Pregnancy
Wellness Retreats:
Would you like to unplug and dive-in into one of our residential transformational health & wellness programs receiving daily nurturing healing & bodywork sessions, supervised detox/fasting, meditation and/or water yoga classes, health & wellness coaching and/or spiritual counselling?
You can book your own private, customizable mini-retreat ahead of time or design it as you go here. The base price covers overnight stay at your own private bedroom, with private bath, queen size organic mattress & bedding and your own desk with wifi to take care of any business.
We’ve a fully equipped shared kitchen to support your healing/wellness program with veggie and citrus juicers, Vitamix, dehydrator and reverse osmosis water filter.
Call us today at 1-754-273-5510 or contact us for more information.
About our Facility:
We’re located in Hollywood FL, only 30 minutes north of Miami, and 15 minutes from Fort Lauderdale, in a very quiet neighborhood, where you’ll only hear the sound of birds and wind gently passing through the palm trees, Ideal for your R&R quiet retreat.
We’re very health conscious and proud of offering a state of the art filtration & sanitation system for the water in our pool. You won’t be smelling any chlorine during your session.
Our secluded, outdoor, in-ground salt warm water pool has pristine body-temperature water at around 95°F and our water sanitation system consists mainly of Ozone (O3) and UV light with a small amount of residual chlorine generated by our salt system. Body temperature water is perfect for regenerative water therapy.
Our salt level is similar to that of an intravenous saline solution, which is less than 10 times the amount of salt in ocean waters, so it’s very mild.
All of our healing and bodywork sessions include the use of our facility including hot shower, bathrobe and fresh towels.
If you’d like to dive-in and stay with us you can customize your Healing Retreat Experience here.
About our Practitioners:
Otherwise noted or requested, our sessions are offered by Alejandro who is the Founder of Watsu Miami and a Certified Clinical Psychologist, Holistic Psychotherpist and Bodyworker. He was trained in Watsu at Harbin Hot Springs (where he lived for 18 years) by Harold Dull (the father of Watsu) among other Watsu teachers and in numerous Aquatic Bodywork modalities. He has over 28 years of experience as an Aquatic therapist, bodyworker and healer. He also has over 35 years of experience as a psychologist & somatic psychotherapist. You can read his complete bio in the About Us section of his Health & Wellness Business Health & Light Institute.
Testimonial: “Alejandro is a true master. I have experienced Watsu all over the world from Harbin Hot Springs in Northern California to Tulum, Mexico and Alejandro takes Watsu and Water dance to the next level. He was able to take me to the deepest place of presence, surrender and healing. Alejandro is really a true shaman, his medicine is the water. Through the sacred medicine of the water he allows for a rebirth, a shedding of the old and an awakening into the new. He is also a trauma aware therapist and works in a highly conscious way, deep when ready and gentle when necessary. My wife and I had a beautiful and transformative session together. I highly recommend both a couples session and/or an individual session as well. We felt safe, supported and guided as deep as we were willing to go. The experience is akin to being in the womb of the infinite, embraced by the waters of serenity and held in a space of sweet surrender. His technical skill in massage combined with the movements in the water releases tension in every possible, physical, emotional and spiritual. We just booked our next session and we look so forward to returning to Alejandro’s magical oasis of healing.” ~Michael Shlofmitz