
Cameras are prohibited in the hot springs area of Harbin, but I managed to snap a picture of the temple where the yoga classes took place.
Yesterday I had my first Watsu. Watsu is a special type of massage performed in the water. Watsu was actually created at Harbin Springs (the place where I had it done). Andrzej of Spirit Springs conducted the Watsu, and it was absolutely wonderful.
For an hour long session, Andrzej supported and floated my body in the warm natural spring pool of Harbin Springs, gliding me in various directions while massaging and gently stretching various parts of my body.
At the beginning of the session, I actually had a little trouble relaxing into the massage and felt a little short of breath. Andrzej told me that this was because the water was a littler warmer than usual and probably because I had a subconscious fear of letting go of the control of my body. I took a brief break to hop out of the pool and dunk myself into one of the cold spring pools to calm and cool my body down, and then afterwards returned to the Watsu session. Following the quick break I was able to finally let myself relax, and I then entered one of the most surreal experiences of my life.
The float (massage) made me feel like I was floating weightlessly in the ocean, letting the waves take my body as they pleased, with my head effortlessly resting above the water. At times, the massage felt like a graceful dance being performed between me and Andrzej, full of an astounding amount of impersonal love and warmth. Periodically during the dance, Andrzej would guide and stretch my limbs, transforming me to make me feel as though I was a natural ballerina. As my eyes closed, the people, places, and world around me seemed to disappear, and I was immediately placed into my own world, guiding through the warm water without a care in the world.
Watsu is truly a magical experience. It allows you to feel so very free and fluid. If you get the chance to have a Watsu massage, take it!
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Andrea@WellnessNotes
January 8, 2010 at 7:51 amSounds like a wonderful experience!
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
January 8, 2010 at 8:17 amThat sounds so relaxing. So was Andrzej holding you while massaging you in the water? Or were you on some sort of float?
So. Jealous. Right. Now.
Nicole
January 8, 2010 at 1:03 pmI want to stomp my feet in a jealous fit! 😉
lessonstolearn
January 8, 2010 at 1:24 pmI bet it’s going to be tough to come home! What a restful, relaxing place!
Melinda
January 8, 2010 at 1:34 pmThat sounds amazing, super relaxing, and I would probably never want to leave…massage permanently!
kbwood
January 8, 2010 at 2:23 pmAHHHHH amazing!! im relaxed just reading about it!
Teniah Howell
January 8, 2010 at 2:48 pmI have never heard of such a thing – sounds marvelous!! Enjoy this time of your life so much…you deserve a chance to really just relax and enjoy. Soak up the energy there! Thanks for the blog of your experience, it’s been wonderful.
Mari
January 8, 2010 at 4:08 pmomg that sounds amazing! I am jealous lol
Lily @ Lily's Health Pad
January 8, 2010 at 7:21 pmThat description is probably the most magical thing I have ever read. Totally makes me want to get a massage. Maybe I can wrangle my boyfriend into giving me a back rub.
Simply Life
January 8, 2010 at 9:30 pmwow I’ve never heard of that but it sounds so nice!
Gelareh @ Orange Truffle
January 8, 2010 at 11:04 pmOMG that sounds amazing…
Spirit Springs Review « Food-Fitness-FreshAir
January 12, 2010 at 7:29 am[…] Springs is also where I was given my first Watsu massage (a type of water massage) by one of the owners of Spirit Springs. This was also an […]
Bekah
January 12, 2010 at 5:40 pmTransssport me there. Ahh, such a great time!
Steven
March 31, 2010 at 10:39 amI’m so glad you discovered and enjoyed Watsu, and are spreading the word. It is a wonderfully relaxing and healing form of bodywork. Harbin is a magical place too, and very peaceful during the winter.
I’m a Watsu and Massage Therapist myself, located in the Bay Area, nearer to San Jose. Anyone interested in Watsu can learn more on my website Flowing Touch Bodywork
Steven
aka Positive Massage Therapy