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Jahara: The Gentle Power of Water

Lakeshore Joins Elite Number of Facilities Worldwide Offering Jahara Aquatic Relaxation Technique

Mario Jahara, creator of the Jahara® aquatic technique, recently visited Lakeshore Foundation to complete an 18-month certification process with four Lakeshore staff members. Kelly McNair, Susan, Hare, Ann O’Nihill and Susan Robinsony have now joined a select group of 30 individuals in the United States who are certified Jahara specialists.

Born in Brazil, Mario Jahara has lived all over the world. An advanced Shiatsu and aquatic bodywork teacher for more than 20 years and author of two successful body therapy books, he originated the Jahara program in 1995.

“I was drawn to aquatic therapy because it combines the therapeutic effects of warm water with the therapeutic effects of taking pressure off the spine. The result is a feeling of great relaxation and increased well-being - something I wanted to share it with others. That’s how Jahara was born.

Gail DeSciose, who has had fibromyalgia for 18 years, lives with chronic pain. ”Jahara is an amazing technique,” she said. “I receive it weekly and those 45 minutes in the water are the only time my body totally relaxes and I am absolutely comfortable. The rest of the time, my body involuntarily ‘crunches up.’  

With Jahara, I am able to let go and release all body tension.  For me, it’s the model of how to relax. I practice meditation and tai chi to help me deal with the pain on a daily basis, but only Jahara makes me forget I have the disease.

DeSciose continued, “I recently went to the fibromyalgia support group that meets at Lakeshore and told them how wonderful Jahara has been for me in helping to manage my pain. I felt very strongly about sharing my story and encouraging them to try Jahara for themselves.”

“Jahara and Lakeshore Foundation are a precise match because of the shared vision of mutual support, respect and teamwork, and the focus that is directed on   people’s abilities, not their disabilities.” Mario said. “For me, this is a dream come true. I am greatly rewarded by seeing those who have benefited from Jahara. That’s why I work, why I travel, why I leave my family – to help people living with pain.”

There are fewer than 200 certified Jahara specialists in the world, with the majority in Israel, a country renowned for its advanced aquatic therapy programs.

Named after Mario’s maternal grandmother, Jahara means “precious stone.” Unlike many techniques, Jahara is not “done,” rather, it is received. Specialists cradle the participants in the water, support their spines and lead them through a series of movements that are almost imperceptible in their gentleness.

The movements are round, like endless spiraling lines that are linked together, with the head always leading and moving like a fish in water. The ears of the person receiving Jahara are under water, which blocks external stimuli and allows the receiver to reach a deeper level of relaxation. The spine elongates, muscles relax and a sense of peace and calm surrounds the individual.

As opposed to stretching, which is always directed at a particular group of muscles, Jahara’s focus is on expansion. Mainly directed to the skeleton, expansion takes place between the vertebrae and in all joints of the body, creating micro-adjustments of the structural alignment of the body, elongating the spine and decompressing the neuro-musculoskeletal system. Experts have reported astonishing results.

According to Lakeshore Aquatic Director Kelly McNair, those receiving Jahara consider it a real gift - “a gift we feel privileged to offer,” she added. “Members will thank us following a session, when really what we do is serve as a channel…the restorative power is in the technique itself.”

Individuals with fibromyalgia, back pain, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease and other types of chronic pain are excellent candidates for Jahara, she said.  Participants have reported reduced pain and muscle tension, increased range of motion and significant stress relief.

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