A new kind of therapy comes to Malta! Here's all you need to know about water therapy

The comfort of warm water. The weightless floating. Just imagine the feeling. Water therapy can give you this and so much more. It includes the gentle support of a therapist, giving you the sense of being cradled and allowing you to savour the sensations of moving through water. You will also feel the relief of massage and the release of stretching. The wonders of water will help you delve into your inner silence. Let's find out more.  

What is water therapy?

Although rather new in Malta, water therapy is increasingly popular worldwide since its conception by Harold Dull in 1980 as Watsu - Water Shiatsu. Since then, several other forms of water therapy have emerged, such as FlyDeeper, Wataflow and others. All include varying degrees of dynamism, together with surface and underwater action.

The treatment may include various movement patterns such as gentle cradling, rocking, stretching, as well as more dynamic movement in different positions, and massage according to the needs of the receiver. During a session, the provider adapts the treatment in response to subtle changes in the muscle tension and respiration of the receiver, so the receiver is unconsciously driving the treatment according to his or her needs.

The experience can be more physical, as the body loosens up and relaxes; more emotional, as various feelings may naturally surface and even re-birthing experiences may occur; or more spiritual, as complete stillness of mind may come about, offering profound insights as to the nature of the self. What is certain is that the experience will be unique for every person and every treatment. 

The healing power of water

Water therapy takes place in one-on-one sessions, in chest-deep warm water. While breath coordination between the provider and the receiver brings movement patterns into harmony as ‘one body’, the ‘conversation’ during the treatment is actually happening between three: the provider, the receiver and water, which also reacts to movement in its own way and plays its part.

Within the weightless dimension of water, the body reacts in a unique way that is gentle yet profound. Water constitutes 80% of the human body and covers as much of the earth. In fact, the very first life forms emerged from water. Water is also where, as individuals, we first experience life, within the womb.

In addition, water can bring about deep subtle experiences from complete inner silence and visions to emotional release. Masaru Emoto’s experiments have shown that water responds to human thought and emotion and is, thus, in relationship with them. Moreover, in several ancient traditions, water symbolises emotion, relationships and the great abyss.

While the individual experience cannot be predetermined, one cannot underestimate the profound effects of water therapy. It has to be experienced to be understood, and yet every experience will always be different.

Water therapy in Malta

From May 2019, you can experience water therapy in Malta. Water Therapies by Melanie from FeelNHeal includes techniques and wisdom from Watsu, FlyDeeper and Wataflow adapted for a unique, customised experience. The original Watsu in Malta by Christine will also be available from July 2019.