Waterdance or Wata

Waterdance is a dynamic form of aquatic bodywork derived from Watsu. It was developed in 1987 by the Swiss Arjana Brunschwiler and Peter Aman Schröter. Once familiarized with Watsu on the water’s surface, you can move on to explore the 3-dimensional space under water. Wearing a nose-clip and using the ‘diving reflex’ that all humans are all born with, you’ll be gently moved underwater by your ‘dance’ partner. Underwater, the heart rate reduces, metabolic processes slow down, and the need for oxygen decreases dramatically.

A Waterdance session begins with Watsu on the surface of the water in preparation for the underwater phase. Once the movement and breathing are effectively coordinated and a sense of mutual trust is established, the first dives can take place. First, the face submerges for short periods, sideways. And then, very gradually, the underwater phases become longer and longer. An experienced waterdancer can stay underwater for several minutes. The underwater movements are guided, as in a dance: flowing and spiraling or twisting and turning like a snake. It’s a challenge to the body’s coordination and sense of balance: the everyday awareness of time and space fades away, and long-forgotten kinesthetic experiences may re-emerge. There may be sensations of ecstasy, lucidity, dreaming, flying, or a pre-birth experience.