Feedback after aquatic bodywork: It makes me really happy

As a complement to the previous post 'Facing feedback after aquatic bodywork: pain' here is some heart-warming feedback from a woman, again in her 50s, after 59 sessions over a 2-year period of receiving aquatic bodywork from me at a private spa retreat (no longer open).

The questions are modified from surveys I created for those who had received 3+ and then 15+ sessions with me.  Responses like this can provide information that is valuable in ongoing work with someone and also in gaining insight into your own practice and its effectiveness.

Such anecdotal information can also be useful in devising more extensive studies of specific effects of this work, giving weight to the differences between practitioners, among clients, and in a variety of settings.  I will be writing more about this in this section of the blog 'An aquatic practice'.

In future posts, I will also comment on further responses to questionnaires given to 15 people (3 men and 12 women aged 40s to 70s) who received more than 3 (some over 10) sessions of aquatic bodywork with one of two practitioners (female, male) during a 2-year period.

Samples of the forms and questionnaires I have used in my practice can be obtained from me on request for a reasonable fee. Guidance and suggestions for modifications to suit your own practice are also offered.  Email me for more (see left-hand column).

What do you find to be the ideal frequency for taking sessions and why? 

For me the every two week frequency is great.  It's a treat, it provides deep relaxation and it's a time commitment so twice a month feels pretty great.

If you have not been able to do this, what has been the main limitation? 

Illness, travel.

Is the setting/ambiance an important part of the experience? If so, say how ... 

It's very important.  I love the pool house; I immediately relax just walking into the space.  It's a lovely place - beautifully built with natural materials and simple lines but very interesting visually. 

Has anything detracted from your experience... 

I seriously cannot think of anything!

Which of these is the most common effect of a session for you (relaxing, energizing, both):

Relaxing.

On which levels do you experience beneficial effects (rate 1 = none to 5 = significant):

[Physical, emotional, mental, spiritual aspects were all rated  5] But if I had to rank them [in order of importance] I'd say physical, mental, emotional, spiritual - because I need and get the beneficial effects most physically, then mentally next, etc.

Give examples of an issues in the above areas that have improved with or been positively affected by sessions?

A physical issue  I have a sedentary job (desk work) and usually have a strong workout right before an aquatic bodywork session.  The experience in the water helps hugely with each of these: providing stretching and movement to stiff, under-used and over-used muscles.

An emotional issue  I did aquatic bodywork during and after the death of my mother.  The water was a safe place for feelings to come up, be experienced and let go of.  There was a lot of stress in the aftermath of Mom's death - paperwork and family communication.  The space provided by the water and by Sulis helped me both stay with and move through the grieving process.

A mental issue  I spend a lot of time in my head and heart - but can be out of touch with my body for days on end.  The aquatic bodywork reconnects me mentally and physically - it's very integrating.

A spiritual issue  Boundaries between self and ALL melt away during a session.  I am floating in a creek; I am the creek; I am the light on the water; I am in the gurgling of the water; I am a cello, etc., etc.!

Has this work had an effect on any of the following general areas? Mark yes/no and say how if yes.

Health Yes - more in touch with and aware of my body, much release of my somatized stress.

Relationships Indirectly - makes me better able to meet others from a centered, calm place.

Creativity Indirectly - gets me out of linear thinking, more open.

Work Mitigates the stress of work.  Makes Monday (my usual session day) a great work day!

Would you find (or have you found) either of the following helpful before your experience:

- conscious setting of intention to work with a current issue

Yes, this sounds like a good idea.

- more time to unwind physically or otherwise (e.g. walking the labyrinth or trails, doing a movement class, taking a sound journey) 

Yes - I already am doing these.

Would you find any of the following helpful after your experience:

- quiet time to meditate

- quiet time to journal

- guided review with practitioner

I enjoy the conversational debriefing I do with Sulis in the pool after, but generally feel ready to move on with my day/evening after my session

Which of the following is true for you?  ALL!

- each session is very different

- sessions are generally similar

- sessions seem fairly varied

Please rate the following parts of a session for effectiveness

on the scale 1 = not effective to 5 = very effective:

Stretching movements      5

Massaging actions            5

Use of pressure points      5

Periods of stillness           4

Subtle energy work           4

Underwater movements    4

What is your main reason for continuing to receive aquatic bodywork? 

I love it.  It makes me really happy.  It's really good for me. 

Comments reproduced with permission of the client.

This is just one person's response of course ... more will follow.  Your feedback welcome!