Every time I tell somebody that I do Bowspring, I get this question: ‘Bow what?’ Then I have to explain in detail what Bowspring is all about. It’s not like you say ‘yoga’ and everyone has a clear picture of what you are doing, which is interesting because there are so many ways to practice yoga. There are assorted styles and ‘schools’ of yoga and yet people instantly know what you are talking about. Or at least they have an idea of it in their heads.
Bowspring, on the other hand, is ‘just’ one ‘school’ of movement practice with a very well-defined form of postural alignment. From the outside, it might look like yoga to newcomers. Basically, you wear the same clothes and have a mat. But that’s about it. The alignment of the body and the mode of movement are totally different. Bowspring focuses on the natural double S-shape of the spine from the back of the head to the hips, and on organic movements. So many people are sitting all day in a position where their body forms a C-curve, which causes a lot of chronic pain and health issues. Bowspring reminds us of the natural form of the body and how we used to move with ease and lightness as a child.
The Bowspring principles were invented by Desi Springer and later became further developed together with John Friend. It emerged from a yoga scene and yet, it is a completely unique way to move and ‘work’ with your body. In yoga, the body has to be straight in many poses, e.g. ‘Seated Forward Bend’ (straight legs), ‘Chair pose’ (straight back), ‘Downward-Facing Dog’ (straight arms and legs), … In Bowspring, your body always keeps its natural curves and uses them for the movement to gain strength, lightness, and flexibility.
For me, it’s logical. I am a human being, not a machine or a robot. And certainly not a ruler. When I look at my body, I see curves, not straight lines. I see dome-shapes in the arch of the foot or in the diaphragm. I see spirals in the heart and the cardiovascular system. What I don’t see at all are straight lines (except for my straight hair).
And Bowspring doesn’t end after a class. It’s a postural alignment that you can continue all day. Even during sleep, my posture has improved. When I get up in the morning, I move differently and stretch immediately. When I stand, I no longer overstretch my groins and I have my knees slightly bent at all times. I sit more ergonomically with tiny movements here and there and with a greater variety of sitting positions (cross-legged, kneeling…). I even do my gardening with this alignment. Slowly, slowly, but constantly, I train my body to find its natural mode of movement again.
It’s been quite a journey and I am grateful for all the teachers and inspirations I’ve had along the way. My body changed, became stronger and more elastic at the same time. Now, everything glides with ease (or at least easier). This makes me endlessly happy. So, if somebody asks: ‘Bow what?’ I can answer ‘Yes, I do Bow-thefuckingbestmovementpracticeever-spring.’
© Barbara Neubauer 2021-08-31