Watsu

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!