August 5, 2004

WATSU: Fresh relief fighting stress, past injuries

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Almaden’s Chris Edwards cordially extends a hand in invitation—two hands, a 95-degree pool and a sound night’s sleep to be exact—the invitation Europeans drop thousands of dollars and weeks of vacation time to experience.

Under the umbrella of Aquatic Balance Edwards currently offers myriad services, turning what is typically known as a massage into a one-stop trip to church, the shrink, a gym and dreamland.

What sounds too good to be true, and probably a tad mystic to the moderate American, is, perhaps, just what the doctor ordered. The massage technique, known as WATSU, delivers specific and multiple scientific benefits.

“Subjects experience effects physically, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually,” said Edwards, noting with virtual guarantee, that each body has a different response. “The program is great for pain management, operational recovery, reducing the pain inherent with old sports injuries or simply helping with stress. I’ve had a client tell me she hadn’t had sensation in months. After WATSU sessions, feeling returned. The woman walked away with feeling in her leg for the first time in nine months.”

WATSU is a modified, aquatic version of Japan’s Shiatsu massage technique. It consists of a warm water massage stretching and gently manipulating your body as you float on your back for 30, 60 or 90 minutes at a time. The technique includes some acupressure at those areas where stress originates and, scientifically, raises meridians, opening energy pathways for revitalization.

Unofficially, water contains healing power beyond that of everyday life. According to Edwards, a body’s memory is more apt to return with the encouragement of water. “The body is miraculous,” said Edwards. “No matter how bad the injury, it still has a memory. If one can get the body into total surrender, it will recall its original form.”

Floating, a body responds naturally as manipulated; no pressure from gravity, no cumbersome weight, the body follows the force exerted by a WATSU practitioner. In this sense, injured muscles recall health while stressed muscles recall peace. “I don’t do any hocus pocus,” summed Edwards. “The water does the work, I just facilitate the exchange.”

For Edwards, the experience performing WATSU is every bit as powerful as his clients’ experience receiving WATSU. After 30-plus years in sales, Edwards learned in 1998, that despite maintaining superb physical condition, he had harbored five, potentially fatal, artery blockages. He believed his condition was a result of stress.

“After the bypass, I realized the value of stress management,” said Edwards. “I discovered WATSU and I have learned how to relieve stress in others while at the same time relieving stress in myself. By giving to others, I am receiving.”

Currently, Edwards is establishing clientele throughout the Bay Area, with various locations open in the South Bay and north to Palo Alto. In the future, he hopes to expand his service into that of a wellness center, catering to the additional needs of those sick and recovering.

For more information regarding Aquatic Balance call (408) 386-6263.