Aquapoetics blog: In the Flow

Aquatic bodywork: patterns of healing

2012-01-17T08:02:23-06:00

I'm often thinking about the interface between science and art and whether they can meet without one drowning out the other. Aquatic bodywork, with its inherent beauty of form and experience, might be one such meeting place.

Recently, I came across an article in the Institute of Sport and Remedial Massage (UK), Newsletter, March 2011(16). Its title was 'Underwater Massage Ballet' and its subtitle 'Exploring the muscle reprogramming potential of Watsu'.

Aside from the scientific tone of the subtitle, much of the article was an inspiring and experiential account of a session the author received from aquatic bodywork practitioner Stef Cerf.

The following paragraph leapt out at me. Ian Tennant wrote:

I was curious to find out more from Stef about the elegant movements used during the session. ‘I work with archetypal shapes such as the figure of eight, vortex, circle, and sinusoidal wave when steering clients through the water,’ explained Stef. ‘There is a force behind shapes and these somehow resonate with us.’ This left me wondering whether his treatment could help align a body with the universal forms, shapes, and patterns which are so commonly observed in nature.

As far as I know, the person who first brought these wonderful insights about shape to aquatic bodywork was Alexander Georgeakopoulos, a dancer who developed the aquatic modality called Healing Dance.

Alexander has the visual and sensory poetry you'd expect of a dancer. He wrote:

Healing Dance recognizes the power of the body mudra and expands it to include archetypal patterns not decreed by religion, but with an even deeper resonance rooted in the psyche. These postures include arching, the fetal position, self-embracing, reaching with one arm, opening both arms to sky or to the sides, and holding the hands in prayer position or over the heart. The aquatic receiver, even though not intentionally assuming these positions as in mudra practice, may discover a personal meaning once placed in them. Just as we offer movement, we offer body mudras with an understanding of their potential to see if they have relevance for the receiver. We hold a space for meanings to emerge. [Source]

Movement practitioner, Emilie Conrad writes of the ways in which: 'ALL fluids of the body - whether circulating blood, the tides of cerebrospinal fluid, the pump of the lymph system, the net of membranes or the swirl of viscera and brain - function as fundamentally ONE undulating stream of intelligence. [Source]

In the last year especially, her Continuum newsletters have referenced innovative studies of water and how these inform our understanding of our own watery bodies. The new field of Holistic Science offers more in exploring these ideas than conventional science alone:

Holistic Science ... combines a rigorous investigation of conventional scientific thought with cutting-edge experiential, intuitive and group learning processes to bring about a more participatory understanding of the natural world and our role within it. [Source]

Participatory is the key word here. Conventional science attempts to remove subjectivity from experimentation - to be objective, describing the world from a perspective free from human perception, cultural interventions, past experience and expectation.

Yet, subjectively is how we experience the world. Every concept we have about the world is based on human perspective. We are participating, experiencing, interacting beings. An aquatic bodywork session is all about this. Here we find the (he)art and meaning in what we do.

In the face of 'hard science' and the doctor, many are rendered unable to trust in their own knowing, their own experience, their own participation. Yet, permitting the body its expression and intelligence regarding troubling symptoms, can make space for solutions to arise of their own accord.

This approach acknowledges an innate tendency towards self-healing. It assumes an alignment or resonance with nature that is our birthright. It allows for a meeting of psyche and soma, expressed in the archetypal shapes of movement mentioned earlier. Aquatic bodywork seems to encourage this.

Whereas the conventional scientific therapist is concerned with understanding, explaining and solving health issues, an unconventional healer (not holding a Western science perspective) may take a more mysterious and imaginative view, allowing for unpredictability and the inexplicable.

Calls for a scientific evidence base have now extended their focus from medical practice to the alternative therapeutic practices of wellness centers and spas. Well-intentioned as these efforts are, they rarely address the limitations of our current scientific tools and models.

Meanwhile, practitioners of the 'unproven' methods tend to try to fit themselves into a scientific/ medical model that might not yet be able or willing to recognize the rather different models upon which their own practices are based.

They make the hopeful assumption that traditional science will provide the proof they need to make their work creditable. They make the even more hopeful assumption that their own healing models and language of heart will survive intact.

Please don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying that science is not a valuable tool; and I'm not saying that we don't need to take care that our attempts to help someone who is suffering do not make it worse for them.

What I am suggesting is that we take care not to deny the experiential, intuitive, participatory creativity that is so much a part of how we seek and find healing and meaning in our lives. And that we insist that our science be willing to explore that with equal respect too.

Next time you give or receive an aquatic bodywork session, ask yourself what you love most about it ... and add a comment below.

MORE ...

If you're interested to learn more about Healing Dance, here is a link to the advanced training Healing Dance Space And Shape .

Special series on Aquapoetics
Evidence and empathy
Healing or therapy?

Also see

Aquatic bodywork as healing art

The year ahead on Aquapoetics: 2012

2012-01-13T09:24:59-06:00

Perceiving the sun in the midst of the rain;
Ladling out clear water from the depths of the fire. Zenrin

Aside from other intriguing ideas about 2012, it is also the year of the Water Dragon in the Chinese zodiac. Wouldn't it be wonderful if this manifest in progressive healing of people and planet, with fiery dragon energy being put in service through the gentleness of water!

What better way than through aquatic bodywork? As the start of the Water Dragon year approaches (4 February), I've been taking time to review my mission and to renew my purpose regards the healing art I'm deeply passionate about, aquatic bodywork.

This Aquapoetics weblog was launched in 2008 just over 3 years ago to share information and insights that relate to aquatic bodywork with other practising or aspiring aquatic bodyworkers and those interested in receiving aquatic bodywork.

I aim to inspire creative inspiration in both practitioners and receivers; to promote open-minded research and artistic expression in the practice of aquatic bodywork; and through this to reflect back to water the life-giving properties it so freely lends to us.

I hope I have succeed in some of this, and always welcome your feedback, suggestions and comments on posts or by email. In the coming year, there may be fewer new posts on the blog but rest assured that this is not a reflection of any dwindling commitment.

I am focusing on resuming active practice - which is actually the source and inspiration for much of what you read on this blog - and also on consolidating my writing in book format. At the end of this post, you'll find a list of my ongoing offerings on Aquapoetics.

Through Aquapoetics on Facebook and Aquapoetics on Twitter, I will continue to share information, insights and links. I invite you to keep in touch with me there. And, if you are not already subscribed to this blog, you can do so by following this link: Subscribe to Aquapoetics.

Please let others know about Aquapoetics by sharing this post too - Thank You!

Aquapoetics in practice

In my own aquatic bodywork practice - Aquapoetics - I aim to use the water experience to explore the potential for facilitating creative and insightful personal discovery. For me, aquatic bodywork is the ultimate movement meditation.

Aquapoetics is an aquatic art form designed to encourage creative inspiration and individual transformation. I draw on Watsu® and its derivatives, and focus on encouraging each person to dance the body poetic, to listen to their own body's poetry.

I am committed to continuing to develop my own practice of aquatic bodywork, while also sharing my passion for this wonderful healing art in the wider community of those interested in water-based therapy through this website Aquapoetics: Creative Aquatic Bodywork.

My dream for the future is to join with like-minded others in creating a retreat that offers healing sabbaticals incorporating modalities that come broadly under the umbrella of 'earth-based somatic psychotherapy'. Water and aquatic bodywork will be central.

That dream is unfolding.

Who is behind Aquapoetics?

For those of you who do not know me and have not had time to explore the pages on this website (see links in the left-hand column) or my profiles elsewhere on the web (also in the left-hand column), I thought I would share some brief background here.

My name is Sara Firman (aka Sulis). My interest in massage and aquatic bodywork began in 1989 when my dear friend Sally Bryant introduced me to Watsu® in the remedial pool at the sports centre in Bath, UK. At that time I was a freelance editor of scientific publications.

Almost 10 years later, having trained in massage and practiced in a variety of clinical and spa settings, I had the opportunity to learn Watsu® and other related aquatic bodywork modalities at Harbin Hot Spring in California.

I introduced Watsu® to Bath, where it is now a signature treatment at the luxury hotel spa I managed and at the city mineral spa (where I worked during summer 2007). On moving to California in 2000, I co-created an aquatic bodywork practice called WaterJourneys.

From 2002 to 2007, I co-owned and operated a private spa-retreat specializing in aquatic bodywork in the Missouri Ozarks. When the partnership dissolved in 2007, Aquapoetics emerged as my own practice and approach to this transformation aquatic healing art.

Below is a summary of some of my current offerings. If you know of anyone else who may be interested in these, please share. For those who do want to follow this up, here is a link to an inquiry form. To ensure a speedy response you may also like to Email me.

Watsu® is a registered service mark of Harold Dull

Current offerings from Aquapoetics/ Sara Firman

Contracts at warm-water facilities as a versatile and experienced practitioner of aquatic bodywork, including assistance in setting up customized aquatic programs.

Mentorship for aquatic bodywork practitioners seeking to deepen their own practice and create a path of right-livelihood and service that is suited to their own nature.

Workshops for practitioners emphasizing intuitive skills in the practice of aquatic bodywork and encouraging documentation of the benefits of this water-based modality.

Writing services - commissions or collaboration on projects related to aquatic bodywork, including website creation and content.

Speaker for conferences or meetings, healing centers or training schools on topics related to aquatic healing practices.

May the Water Dragon bless our endeavors in 2012!

AquaPoetics: Creative Aquatic Bodywork: experienced and professional services that demonstrate commitment to high ethical and environmental standards, while promoting creative and innovative approaches that contribute to the evolution and recognition of aquatic bodywork for health and wellbeing.

For anyone who loves floating: inspiration for water fun

2011-10-11T13:09:48-05:00

Most children enjoy water play: it's a sensory extravaganza and a sensational learning experience. One of the things I love about aquatic bodywork is that it can bring back these memories of joy and bliss. The movements are liberating: floating, submerging, skimming, spinning, rolling, bobbing, and - if you're using Floatli® - frog jog.

Recently, aquatic exercise expert Pamela Morse sent me some Floatli® - a set of floatation devices she designed - to try out. I hadn't had any instruction before using them, though I did take a peek at the short video on her website. What a wonderful time I had trying to work out what to do and laughing at my own aquatic antics!

Floatli® are made of strong nylon fabric with each float having pouches where up to 3 cylinders of noodles (cut to size) can be inserted. The arm floats are smaller than the leg floats. They fasten with velcro just as the floats generally used for Watsu® do, though they are much bulkier than Watsu® floats when assembled.

As someone who is experienced in movement, at home in water, and quite strong, my experimental session was a delight. However, I'd recommend some instruction since the floats challenge your ability to control your movement in water and your sense of balance. That challenge has advantages, but could be dangerous if you were alone.

Though Floatli® is recommended for those who are ready to overcome feelings of insecurity in the water, experienced guidance would be essential. Pamela and her trained instructors offer introduction lessons in private comfortable and safe settings that inspire confidence and comfort. Below is an outline of the basic classes.

Floatli® classes

1/2 hour. Introduction to Floatli® covers the basic use of arm Floatli®. This includes movement inspired by breath, percussive breathing, floating, and creating a personal exercise routine.

1 hour. Introduction to full-body Floatli® covers the use of arm and leg Floatli® together. This requires more skill, strength, and breath control. The mastery of this balance challenge offers playful new ways to move in water and develops core strength.

I'm sold on Floatli® for acquainting ourselves ever more deeply with the medium in which we work as aquatic bodyworkers. Like the long noodle, described as inspiration for self-care in a previous blog post, these floatation devices provide new ways to explore hydrodynamics. Though Pamela's emphasis is on active exercise with Floatli®, they can also be used more passively.

Having just returned from an Integrative Aquatic Therapy class on the Prenatal Journey, it was immediately obvious to me that I could use the Floati® to practice in water some of the early developmental movements we'd looked at, such as starfish. With awareness enhanced by the support of the water, a great deal of proprioceptive information was available to me.

Pamela promotes Floatli® for sport-specific training, flexibility, strength, and core stability work. She also suggests that for water yoga and pilates, Floatli® can provide the perfect prop for anti-gravity poses. Using the poolside, steps or wall bar with Floatli® adds more creative options. These floatation devices would probably find many uses in aquatic physical therapy too.

For those with arthritis, Pamela notes that Floatli® makes it possible to enjoy water flotation without the need to grip and hold anything. The arm floats, for example, feel more like part of the body, and distribute the resistance through the area of the arm below the elbow, eliminating the stress on wrists and hands.

About the creator of Floatli®

Pamela Morse has had a private practice teaching water exercise in backyards in Tucson for more than 30 years: 'It is still my favorite thing in the world to teach kids to swim'. Her spa background is impressive, she taught at Canyon Ranch 'back in the truly good old days' and later did guest instructing at Rancho La Puerta and Golden Door.

As a certified expert in Swiss tourism, Pamela traveled and taught extensively in Switzerland: 'The influence that Switzerland has had on my life cannot be overstated. It is to me the perfect model of wellness, democracy, and freedom. Floatli® was created to make the country of Switzerland happy so I will be invited to return.'

I asked Pamela about the origin of her product's name (logo shown below): 'It is the Swiss ending that denotes diminutive ... like ito in Spanish ... this is Swiss humor ... the name sounds cute, little, harmless enough. The reality is difficult and takes practice to do well. Before this name, it was Love Floats. I liked that one because it is a complete sentence.'

The decision to come back to business with Floatli®, Pamela told me, 'is one part a feeling that Floatli® will be very helpful to many people and one part fascination with the way world business works today'. I met Pamela through Facebook and have noticed that she took to social networking like a duck to water.

Go here for Floatli's Facebook Page

Contact information for Pamela Morse/ Floatli®

Address: 3362 E Popinac Loop, Tucson, AZ 85716

Phone: 520-749-8580

Website: http://Floatli.com

See also:

Freeing the body in water: inspiration for self-care with Liz Koch (using noodles for flotation)

If you have an aquatics related product or service you'd like Aquapoetics to review, please contact Sara Firman via Email