What is Bowspring?
Bowspring is a modern form of yoga that focuses on restoring the body’s natural movement patterns and posture in everyday activities like sitting, walking, and running. We move calmly, engaged, and with soft, pulsing motions, supported by steady breathing. Along the way, detailed instructions are given, which may feel unfamiliar at first if you are used to traditional yoga. However, over time, these make sense as the body rediscovers its natural, balanced movement.
What is the difference to classic yoga?
Compared to classical yoga, Bowspring moves away from the idea that long, straight lines in the body are optimal. Instead, it activates, strengthens, and lengthens the body’s natural curves. This means that you don’t “collapse” into the curves (e.g., the curve of the neck or lower back). It creates freer, more springy, and strong mobility, as well as healthy positioning and function of the muscles, joints, and connective tissue.
We open up, while simultaneously maintaining activation and strength in the front of the body, strengthening the back of the body in a chain from the soles of the feet, legs, glutes, back, and neck – without losing the length of the curves.
Why Bowspring?
I believe that the Bowspring method encompasses the idea that, more than we understand today, it is our connective tissue and muscles that should support and hold the bones in place, rather than the bones acting as a ‘frame’ to support our muscles and connective tissue. This balance is challenged by the modern lifestyle that most of us are influenced by, for example, when we sit for many hours daily to study or work. It’s also challenged when we mentally try to meet the expectations and pace of our surroundings without losing balance within ourselves. On both fronts, physically and mentally, Bowspring helps us reestablish and maintain this balance.
For whom?
Bowspring is a movement method suitable for everyone, regardless of age or physical condition, and it can be practiced while lying down, standing, sitting, or moving. In addition to improving your posture, Bowspring also promotes healthy function of the circulatory and nervous systems, creating balance throughout the body. Bowspring is especially beneficial for those experiencing pain or tension in the arches, knees, hips, lower back, neck, shoulders, or wrists.
Meeting Bowspring
If you are dedicated to a more classical form of yoga, as I have been, Bowspring might seem foreign at first. Some may even feel resistance and argue that Bowspring cannot be called yoga. To me, Bowspring represents a deep yogic practice, as it can raise awareness and connect the practitioner with the body, nature, strength, and flexibility in a holistic approach.
I have a deep respect for classical yoga and for what it can be and is for many people. Ultimately, I also wish to share and pass on the valuable experiences I’ve gained with Bowspring, along with some of the feedback I hear participants take away from my teaching.
My personal experiences
Recently, alongside my work as a yoga teacher, I’ve also been working in my former profession as a landscaper. Among other tasks, I’ve been hired to lay concrete tiles and build retaining walls with concrete blocks. In doing so, I’ve manually carried significantly more weight than I ever have before, and since I’ve previously had a tendency to get back pain from this kind of work, I was a bit concerned. To my partial surprise, the work hasn’t caused any back pain at all; however, I have experienced some muscle fatigue, but it has been spread across my whole body. I am absolutely convinced that Bowspring has been crucial in preventing me from ‘breaking my back’ on the job. Since starting Bowspring, I feel both significantly stronger and more flexible than I have at any other point in my life.
Participant feedback
I’ve received a lot of positive feedback on how Bowspring helps people relieve pain in various parts of the body. Some have mentioned that they’ve been able to reduce or even stop using pain medication. Some experience more energy, while others sleep better at night. So… What is Bowspring? Sign up for a free trial class at Samavesa Yoga and experience it in your own body.
Read participants’ testimonials, or learn about my background. You can also learn much more about Bowspring by clicking the button below.
