Aqua Therapy and Watsu®
Helping bodies move, minds rest and well-being unfold.
Welcome to a practice dedicated to supporting movement, connection, and well-being.
We combine professional physiotherapy expertise with the therapeutic benefits of water, to support both children and adults in moving and thriving.
Our aqua therapy for children provides a nurturing and engaging environment where movement, play and therapy come together. Each session is tailored to the individual needs of the child, supporting the development of strength, coordination, confidence and functional skills in a way that feels safe and enjoyable.
We also offer Watsu® for all ages - an experience of deeply relaxing, hands-on therapy in warm water. Through gentle movement, stretching and continuous support, Watsu® promotes physical release, emotional well-being, and a profound sense of calm.
Whether you are seeking specialised therapy for your child or a restorative experience for yourself, we are here to walk alongside you with professionalism, compassion and care.
If you feel this approach may be a good fit for you or your child, you are welcome to book a session or get in touch to find out more.
Services
· Paediatric
Aqua Therapy
Our paediatric aqua therapy service is grounded in neurodevelopmental principles and delivered by a qualified physiotherapist. The unique properties of water - buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure and resistance - are used therapeutically to facilitate optimal movement patterns, postural control and functional ability.
This service is suitable for children with a range of neurodevelopmental presentations. Intervention is individually tailored following a comprehensive assessment and linked to functional goals.
The aquatic environment offers a reduced-gravity setting, allowing children to initiate and practise movements that may be difficult on land.
We combine professional physiotherapy expertise with the therapeutic benefits of water, to support both children and adults in moving and thriving.
Our aqua therapy for children provides a nurturing and engaging environment where movement, play and therapy come together. Each session is tailored to the individual needs of the child, supporting the development of strength, coordination, confidence and functional skills in a way that feels safe and enjoyable.
This can support the development of strength, motor planning, body awareness and confidence. Sessions are structured yet engaging, incorporating play-based approaches to encourage meaningful participation and the carryover of skills into everyday life.
If you feel this approach may be a good fit for your child, you are welcome to book a session or get in touch to find out more.
· ALL AGES
Watsu®
Watsu® is a form of aquatic bodywork conducted in warm water, combining elements of stretching, gentle mobilisation and rhythmic movement. Delivered by a trained practitioner, sessions involve continuous support of the client’s body while they are guided through a series of flowing movements and positions.
The therapeutic effects of Watsu® are mediated through both physiological and neurological mechanisms. Warm water immersion promotes muscle relaxation, reduces muscle tone and enhances circulation; while the slow, repetitive movements support parasympathetic nervous system activity, facilitating deep relaxation and stress reduction.
Watsu® can be beneficial for a wide range of individuals. It complements rehabilitation programmes by improving mobility, reducing guarding and enhancing body awareness.
It may be particularly beneficial for those experiencing chronic pain, muscle tension or stress-related conditions, as well as for individuals seeking a gentle space for physical and emotional release.
No two Watsu® sessions are the same. Each session is adapted to the individual’s needs, comfort level and clinical presentation on the day. Watsu® offers a unique opportunity to slow down, reconnect with your body, and experience a deep sense of peace.
If you feel this approach may be a good fit for you or your child, you are welcome to book a session or get in touch to find out more.
Precautions and Contraindications
Aqua Therapy and Watsu® may not be suitable in certain clinical circumstances.
A thorough screening will be conducted prior to the first session to ensure suitability and safety. Where necessary, medical clearance may be requested.
Clients are encouraged to discuss any concerns or existing medical conditions prior to booking, so that sessions can be adapted appropriately or alternative recommendations can be made.
Please note: being able to swim independently is NOT a requirement for receiving Watsu®. The client will at all times be held and supported in the water.
For pregnant women Watsu® is not advised during the first trimester of pregnancy, for high risk pregnancies or for clients experiencing high or unstable blood pressure. However, it can be wonderful for mom and baby during the second and third trimesters of a healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy.
Precautions and Contraindications may include:
- Acute illness or fever
- Contagious water or airborne infections
- Open wounds, skin infections or unhealed surgical sites
- Incontinence or unpredictable bowel movements (unless appropriately managed)
- Uncontrolled epilepsy or seizure disorders
- Unstable blood pressure (excessively high or excessively low blood pressure)
- Respiratory compromise, limited vital capacity or tracheostomies
- Severe cardiac conditions
- Severe kidney disease
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Acute ligamentous instability
- Severe fear of water or inability to tolerate being supported floating on your back
- Sensitivity/allergy to pool chemicals
Facilities
Sessions take place in a heated, fully enclosed saltwater pool, with the water temperature maintained between 32–35°C to support comfort, relaxation and therapeutic benefit. The pool depth ranges from approximately 1 to 1.5 metres.
Access into the pool is via steps with a handrail. At present, there is no hoist available. Clients therefore need to be able to manage the steps with assistance, or in the case of children, be small enough for manual transfers.
A bathroom and changing area are located adjacent to the pool for convenience. The practice is situated in a quiet street, with ample parking available.
· TESTIMONIALS
Words from the water
I’m so grateful I found myself in Lydia‘s pool during a season of burnout. I was most surprised that despite the strain I was under, what I felt was absolute safety.
Elle
Wonderfully Wired
Watsu® was so relaxing. It felt like I could fall asleep in the water.
Amelia
7 year old
I came for a Watsu® session in my final month of pregnancy, not quite knowing what to expect — and it was truly one of the most nurturing experiences of my pregnancy journey. The treatment was so incredibly gentle, yet deeply effective. The back and hip pain I’d been carrying for weeks melted away, and I left feeling lighter and more at ease than I had in months. I can’t recommend it highly enough to any mum-to-be looking for safe, soothing relief in those last precious (and challenging!) weeks.
Liezl van Zyl
In my work, I hold space for deeply complex emotional experiences. Day after day, I am entrusted with people’s most vulnerable moments—their trauma, heartbreak, and life-changing journeys. Over time, this accumulates. It’s not always something that can be easily spoken through or processed in traditional ways, especially when the stories are so varied and deeply layered. I began to feel emotionally “clogged,” aware that I needed a way to release and reset.
Discovering Watsu® and experiencing it in the skilled, intuitive hands of Lydia Fehrsen, has been nothing short of transformative. From the moment you enter the warm water, there is an immediate sense of being supported – physically and emotionally. The gentle, rhythmic movements, the feeling of weightlessness, and the quiet, flowing suspension create a deeply calming and almost meditative state.
During the session, you are held, moved, and guided in a way that allows complete surrender. It is so profoundly soothing that you may drift into sleep, or find yourself immersed in a peaceful, dreamlike state – mine is often accompanied by beautiful colours and sensations behind closed eyes. There is no effort required – only letting go.
After each session, I feel lighter, clearer, and emotionally renewed – as though I have released what I didn’t even realise I was carrying. It creates space to return to my work and life with restored energy and perspective.
I cannot recommend Watsu® highly enough – not only for those in emotionally demanding professions, but also for people navigating fertility challenges, trauma, grief, PTSD, or simply those who feel that they have reached a point where words are no longer enough. It is a deeply nurturing and powerful form of healing.
Dr Kerry Sherwood
· About me
Lydia Fehrsen
Hi, my name is Lydia Fehrsen. I am an experienced physiotherapist who is passionate about supporting adults and children through gentle, engaging, water-based therapy.
I graduated from UCT with a BSc in Physiotherapy in 2001. My career has taken me through a variety of work settings - from rural KwaZulu-Natal to a special school for physically disabled children in Gugulethu, as well as many rewarding years at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. I’ve also worked in the NPO sector (Friends Day Centre and Bhabhisana Baby Project) and now run my own private practice. These diverse experiences have deeply shaped how I connect and work with people.
I have a special interest in paediatrics, neurodevelopmental therapy (NDT) and seating. In my work, I aim to create a space where children feel safe and supported, and where movement can be explored in a way that is both therapeutic and enjoyable.
Water has always been my happy place. Over time, my love for the water naturally came together with my work as a physiotherapist. Aqua therapy offers a unique and supportive environment where children can move more freely, build skills and strength, and develop confidence through play.
My journey into Watsu® began in 2011 when I had a deeply memorable experience receiving Watsu® whilst pregnant with my firstborn. After a season of focusing on motherhood, I began my formal training in 2019 and qualified as a Watsu® practitioner in 2025. I also completed the SASP's Evidence Based Aquatic Physiotherapy Foundation Course, as well as the Advanced International Aquatic Therapy Techniques course run by internationally renowned physiotherapist Peggy Schoedinger.
My physiotherapy practice brings together my love for water, Watsu® and working with children and their families. Whether I’m supporting a child in the water or holding space for an adult in a Watsu® session, my aim is always the same - to create a calm, nurturing environment where the body can relax, move and reconnect.
Outside of my practice, I enjoy warm cups of tea, reading, yoga and pilates, surfing and spending time with family and friends. I’ve also been involved in adaptive surfing, supporting people with disabilities to experience the freedom and joy of the ocean.
If you feel my approach may be a good fit for you or your child, you are welcome to book a session or get in touch to find out more.