Watsu in Paradise (Part Two)

Water is our first home. And when we return to water, we remember a deep part of ourselves.

During my trip to Moorea in French Polynesia, I experienced layers of somatic release and opening.

I encountered whales in the open ocean while having a somatic memory of nearly drowning in a pool when I was four years old-

- an I had never thought “effected” me much, since I’ve never been afraid of water or shy to swim after that event-

The night before the whales I was given an incredible Watsu session by my teacher Carlos del Pino, in which I felt deep integration, peace and transcendent love in every cell of my body.

The juxtaposition of this total bliss, so near to the panic of re-experiencing a near death experience was intense,

Especially when the soundtrack was a live whale song beneath me as a swam in the open ocean.

After my encounter with the whale, I got back on the boat and felt incredibly seasick

(Also unusual for me, I’ve been on my many boats and never had this issue)

I allowed the tears to flow and the nausea to rock me. I stay present to my grief, my fear,

my intense love of life.

When I was in my 20s, I lived at times with wild abandon. Taking big risks and being rather non-chalant about risk of death or injury.

(Within reason of course!)

Perhaps it was leftover teenage nilhilism:

What does it matter if I live or die?

Now, at 37 with a child, a husband and my intimate client load of somatic protégés,

the possibilty of death or injury hits different.

And as I wept on the boat, sick and reeling from the emotional release of fear that had been held in my body for decades,

I felt such love. I felt such desire to live.

To choose to be here and all being human brings.

Was it what I pictured for myself when I imagined I’d go swimming with the whales?

No. But I would do it again, despite the “unpleasantness”.

I am grateful for my ability to release and move with this experience.

My willingness to let it touch my soul.

And now as I fly away from my family again, less than a month later. I let my feelings flow.

I feel my fear of losing life and let it redirect me to trust, purpose and loving.

Many of my clients come to me wanting to feel better.

And many of them do! But it’s not the goal. And it’s not the most important thing they receive in this somatic work.

What they get is feeling and ability to be with and fully experience feeling.

They get to be alive, now.

Watsu and Hanna Somatics are two modalities that feel made for each other. Together, they can transform a person deeply in ways that we cannot even fathom from a place of mental awareness.

There is one spot left for my retreat with @recovery_wellness_coach at Harbin Hot Springs this October. The birthplace of Watsu.

Come be alive and come back in love with your life, your body, your soul.

Ready to experience this magic for yourself? Join us at a Flow Your Soma Retreat in breathtaking destinations.

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