Harold Dull

Harold Dull (1935-2019), an American aquatic bodyworker and poet, is best known as the creator of WATSUŽ and founder of the Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association (WABA). After graduation from the University of Washington, Harold joined the San Francisco Renaissance poets where several books of his poetry were published. In 1976 he began to study Zen Shiatsu with those who brought it to America and its creator Shizuto Masunaga in Japan. In 1980 he began applying Zen Shiatsu's stretches and moves while floating people in a warm pool at Harbin Hot Springs in northern California. This evolved into Watsu aquatic bodywork, now offered in clinics and spas around the world. Harold brought Watsu to more than 30 countries, and developed the Worldwide Registry, which stores the transcripts and authorizations of all who teach and practice Watsu and related aquatic forms. Harold also created Tantsu, in order to "bring back onto land Watsu's nurturing holding, and the joy of the movement freed when floating someone level with the heart", and he created Tantsuyoga, a related form that "celebrates union". Harold passed on the Watsu trademarks and servicemarks to his daughter Calias Murillo-Dull, who is dedicated to carrying on the legacy of Watsu.