Watsu^® Explorer Path

Harold Dull lays out three new Watsu paths in his book: Watsu Basic and Explorer Paths. The new Basic Watsu introduced in this book is an ideal entry into the Watsu Practitioner Path. It is also a path in itself for those who wish to explore new levels of connection with others. It is based on a simple progression through moves that follow and keep you connected to the breathing of the one in your arms to moves that, the more connected you feel through your heart, the deeper they arise from within, the more creativity they bring into play. This progression, and how to maintain someone comfortably supported and aligned (as well as yourself) can be learned in two days of instruction. Once learned, the more you repeat it, the more you will find your connection to others reaching new levels, the more you will you find your heart connects to whoever you float, and the more those you float will appreciate the gift you bring them.

The Explorer Path introduced in this book and in classes complements both the Basic and Practitioner paths. Instead of a progression or a form it is based on a format with which those from any level of Watsu can meet in groups of three outside of a class. This book lays out the format and the themes, one of which each brings to a meeting. The three explore as a team the principles and the applications of each's theme, which is usually a move or a way of using one's own body. Then each receives a complete session in a Round in which the first of the other two starts from the first side, the second continues from the second and both conclude by floating you between them. The format has been developed and fine tuned in class after class. Its focus on learning and applying principles instead of memorizing a form opens a new door into Watsu. The classes introducing the Explorer Path always include instruction in the newest form of Tantsu because its whole body holds and engagement of the heart in connecting to inner movement complements the same in Watsu.

The tandem floating that concludes the rounds in the Explorer class has evolved into a new form, Tandem Watsu. When it is done by itself many find that its 30 minutes between two practitioners is more profound than 60 minutes with one. It has also become part of a new Watsu for Two by Three.

One 50 hour intensive Watsu Tantsu Basic Paths introduces Basic Watsu and Basic Tantsu along with Basic Explorer Path. Those who have already attended Basic Watsu can take our Watsu Tantsu Explore Flow intensive which is half on land and half in the water. The complete Tandem Watsu is introduced in Watsu 4.

This Path and the new Tantsu brings us one step closer to the world Harold envisioned when he started developing Watsu and Tantsu, a world in which everyone can float or hold each other without intention, a new humanism that engages the creativity of our life force.