Anyone who enjoys being in the water and who might otherwise find massage too vigorous or is unable to lie comfortably on the massage table will find Aquatic Massage Therapy gentle yet very effective.
After more than 20 years practice as a Registered Massage Therapist in Ontario, Canada, Claudia Salzmann was looking for a way to extend her career and was introduced to Watsu/Jahara while traveling in the USA.
She loved working in the water and felt she could adapt the techniques for a clinical treatment modality in Massage Therapy.
Since 1999, the College of Massage Therapists (CMTO) has recognized Aquatic Massage Therapy as an approved modality.
Elsa Lára Arnardóttir graduated from the Canadian College of Massage & Hydrotherapy in June 2000.
During her studying in Canada, she took these courses: Myofascia release, In-water treatment, Pregnancy massage, Labour support and Infant massage, Sport massage and Joint play.
Other courses after graduation: Aquatic Massage Therapy, Rebozo massage, Doula, LaStone Therapy.
Since 2000 Elsa Lára has worked in private clinics, also at her own. Then she worked at the Blue Lagoon from 2002 until 2017. During her time at the Blue Lagoon, she offered Aquatic Massage Therapy for psoriasis patients at the clinic in Blue Lagoon for 10 years. Patients with psoriasis were the clinic’s one focus.
In the fall 2011 she published her book: Massage for your baby (Nudd fyrir barnið þitt). Elsa Lára has held infant massage courses through the years, private and for groups. In the book you will find beautiful pictures all from her own kids, who have all gotten their massage from birth.
Elsa Lára has been a member of the board of the Massage Therapy Ass of Iceland since 2002, and as chairman for 10 years (until 2016).
Now she is working in Hæfi endurhæfingarstöð, Egilshöll, Reykjavík and part time in Heilsustofnun NLFÍ in Hveragerði.
The client can experience a deep meditative response which
allows the therapist to do the body work with little mental resistance.
English 
Icelandic