COMMITMENT
OUR ORIGIN
In the heart of Tucson, Arizona, behind a turquoise gate you find Santa Rita Springs, a private sanctuary for people to restore good health after a life-changing diagnosis, personal loss, physical injury, surgery, or trauma. Here is a peaceful oasis where guests can receive aquatic treatments from licensed massage therapists and attend classes or private sessions with experienced movement specialists, in the comfort and safety of an indoor, warm salt water pool. Enjoy some quiet, pain-free time floating nearly weightless, supported by salt water warmed to body temperature. Regain hope by appreciating your body, and by offering yourself relief from pain without harsh drugs.
Santa Rita Springs was created, with a lot of help, in order to share the remarkable treasure of warm water therapies. A Licensed Massage Therapist, I offered Jin Shin Jyutsu, Cranial-Sacral Therapy and Integrative Massage on land at an internationally known destination health resort from 1983 to April 2017, when I began working full time at Santa Rita Springs. Since 1999, when I first went to learn Aquatic Massage, or Watsu(R), with Elaine Marie at Harbin Hotsprings, opening a warm therapy pool at Santa Rita Springs was an unforgetable dream. In 34 years working at Canyon Ranch, I saw that the benefits of the methods I had practiced on land are profoundly enhanced by working in warm water. Aquatic massage became a joy to offer for three of my five days a week working at the spa. Then we built the Santa Rita pool! With great support from family and friends, in 2004 I invested everything in building the poolhouse. Bless Lou Benson Construction!
Completed in 2007, we opened for exercise classes, aquatic massage, workshops, movement therapy, and celebrations. Our therapists currently offer Ai Chi, Aqua Yoga, Aqua Chakra Yoga, Aquacize, Aquatic Massage, Biosomatic Movement Therapy, Burdenko Aqua Therapy, Cranial-Sacral Therapy, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Susquehanna Aquatic Reflexology, Sensory Awareness, Therapy Aqua Group Exercise, and Watsu, in the warm saltwater. Enjoy a hot shower, filtered drinking water, surround- sound music, and a warm waterfall that sometimes trickles into the pool. We have a casita near the pool house for small groups to explore yoga, Yamuna Ball Rolling (R), Biosomatics, Meditation, or Sensory Awareness, as ways of earthing ourselves. There is a brick patio with fire pit in the garden, for celebration gatherings, and a gas grill for cooking out. Santa Rita is known as the saint of healing and impossible causes. It certainly seemed to be an impossible cause that this dream could become reality, but with gratitude, appreciation, and so much love, here we are. Thank you, Saint Rita! If you would benefit from soaking in the pool, any of the classes and therapies we offer, or to teach a class of your own, please use the CONTACT page on this website, email santaritasprings@gmail.com or text or call 520 990-1857
With Love and Thanks,
Dorothy Richmond, LMT
"We're all water from different rivers. That's why it's so easy to meet...Someday we'll evaporate together!"
-Yoko Ono
Watsu duets, as seen in natural awakenings are available Wednesdays by appointment.