If you've never had a Watsu water massage, you have missed one of life's great pleasures. Invented in California, naturally, Watsu combines gentle movement with the feeling of floating on a cloud.
The masseuse or masseur supports your body as you float in a pool of water that is just slightly above body temperature. You may need floats on your ankles to help keep your legs afloat, but the Watsu (masseuse or masseur) supports the rest of your body. Although some venues require swim suits, the best Watsu massage is given and received nude.
Soon after becoming buoyant, you feel yourself relax, like you are weightless. With eyes closed, you allow your Watsu giver to move you slowly and gently in the water. The touch of the warm water helps you to completely relax and enjoy the closeness of two bodies. I enjoy giving Watsu as much as receiving the massage.
Allow me to describe one very special occurrence from two years ago.
I visited a clothing optional hot spring on a crisp fall day. Arriving before noon, I checked in and strolled to the communal dressing room near the warm pool area. I quickly shed my clothes and my cares, then walked across the deck to the pool. About a dozen others were already lolling in the water, enjoying the clear day and the surrounding trees and cheerful bird's songs. There were some couples and a few singles, like me.
Several couples took turns giving each other Watsu massages. I watched them and envied their intimacy. I noticed that the ladies, in particular, seemed to revel in the sensuality that accompanies Watsu.
It was mid-afternoon when I noticed a younger woman, about 40, open the gate and walk to the pool steps. She was stunning and I noticed others also were eyeing her nude figure as she slowly slid into the warm water. She appeared to be about 5'5" tall, slender with average size breasts topped with perky, light brown nipples. Before she submerged in the pool, I saw that her labia were shaved smooth and that she sported a tuft of brown hair just above her mound of Venus. A half-hour passed and nobody joined her, so I concluded that she was at the hot spring by herself. "Hmm, she must be a local," I mused as I continued to glance at her from time to time.
Sitting on the steps, up to my neck in the warm water with my eyes closed, I sensed movement nearby. When I opened my eyes, she was standing, ready to exit the pool. When I smiled up at her and moved aside, she returned my smile and told me, "Sit still, I can get by okay."
Evidently, she just needed to use the rest room because she returned in a few minutes and again stepped into the pool. This time, she sat next to me on the steps. I said, "Hello again," and couldn't think of another thing to say as I surveyed her pretty face and bright eyes. She nodded and answered with, "Hello yourself." We sat there silently for a full minute. Then, she spoke. "That looks so relaxing," she commented.
"What does?" I responded as I followed her gaze.
"That couple down at the deep end," she answered. "She's just floating around while he's keeping her afloat."
"Are you familiar with Watsu massage?" I asked.
"Is that what it's called?" she replied. "I've seen people doing it here before and it always looks so neat."
I glanced at her and watched her staring at the middle-aged man as he gently moved his rather well endowed wife, making little ripples on the pool's surface. "Surely you've enjoyed Watsu water massage many times," I offered.
"Actually, no, I haven't," she replied. "It looks yummy though."
"I think Watsu is as enjoyable to give as to receive," I commented as my interest grew.
Her eyes met mine. "Do you know how to do it?"
I couldn't help grinning. "I'm not a professional masseur or anything, but I've had several Watsu massages, watched many more, and I've given several. I try to follow the same moves as the certified people who do it for a living. They have a lot more moves, of course."
"How wonderful!" she gushed. "I'll bet you're pretty good at it by now."
Her hint was easy to field. "If you've never experienced Watsu, I'd be happy to give you a demonstration. After you see how it feels, you'll probably want to get a professional Watsu massage. Like I said, they know more movements."
She looked back with a cute smile. "That sounds great. When would you be able to show me what Watsu is like?"
I couldn't believe my good fortune. I didn't want to seem too anxious, however. "Tell you what, let me take a couple of minutes to visit the rest room, then we can begin any time you wish. How's that?"
"Fine. I'll be right here when you get back."
When I returned, the lovely lady was still on the steps, stretched out and relaxed. I sat in the pool and watched her slowly open her eyes. "I was trying to get in a relaxed mood," she said. "I'm ready if you are."
I took her hand and together we moved into deeper water. There were no leg floats available, but I judged that I would be able to hold her small frame horizontal without them. We stood facing each other. "When you're ready, I'll help you get into the floating position. You'll get your hair wet, you know." She smiled and nodded, "That's okay."
"I'll cradle your neck with my right arm and your legs with my left arm. Later, I'll move so your head will rest on my shoulder. Is that okay?"
"You're the boss," she smiled.