The Biology of Bowen

In a way the title sums up how I came to be here with the creation of The Biology of Bowen. 

Some 11 years ago, I accidentally transformed into an international multi-lingual Bowen Therapist, starting in Latin America.

Pioneering Bowen Therapy in Argentina to be precise. Featured in their wellness magazine inspired in me a greater responsibility to represent Bowen Therapy seriously, professionally and intelligently. Click on image below to read article in English:

That's where the ball started to roll, and after Brazil - the momentum with Bowen Therapy, cultures and presenting Bowen in 2 fascia congresses, meeting and taking Dr Schleip's advanced fascia course in Buenos Aires – collectively became the diving board that sprung me into my passion to dive further into Bowen Therapy through understanding fascia and mechanobiology. 

It was because of my love of cultures and languages simultaneously paired with bodywork that took me overseas, and where I built many professional relationships - networks that ranged from researchers, biomechanics experts, anatomy teachers and osteopaths/applied kinesiologists to name a few. Who you surround yourself with, does rub off! 

When I was asked to present Bowen in Buenos Aires in 2013, I knew I needed to step it up and know more. 

So, that's exactly what I did with the mentoring and influence of great teachers and clinicians such as Dr Cristine Oleari (Argentina) and Dr Mariane Altomare (Brazil). Later in 2016, in Spain I presented Bowen again, this time in a different context. Later in Brazil, I taught the technique itself to a group of talented practitioners, most of them physiotherapists - again, preempting the 'curly' questions: questions that asked for a deeper answer.  All events and experiences have led me to putting this course together. 

You see, when I started as a Bowen practitioner 15 years ago, as ingenious a method as Bowen is, 

I gathered many questions over the years, such as - "such subtle motions, and why are they on the muscle border? How do they make you feel so relaxed? 

Why? How do they soften even the most rigid tissues, just a move or two, better than prolonged manipulation most of the time? Strange.." 

Whilst building new professional relationships, exposed to the world of manual medicine at a different level surrounded by esteemed professionals – the Bowen Technique started to make a lot more sense from a mechanophysiological perspective. So much so, that I grew a renewed appreciation for this subtle yet powerful hands-on technique. 

In recent years, through this new understanding (still continuing of course), my patient list and results have grown dramatically. I continue to utilise the Bowen method I learnt in Australia back in 2005, upgraded, and combined with the tactile Australian methods and teachings of John Garfield, Ron Phelan & Graham Pennington – however, even so, I still use the Bowen Technique at it's core and essence (of the interpretation which we know of today). 

What is different is my innate improved understanding that ultimately is transferred through my hands, intention, communication and assessment.  

To date, I still get patients enquiries from the 3 different continents I've lived in. I only mention this to demonstrate the clinical relevance and importance of not only mastering therapeutic skill but also having an understanding of what you're doing. 

It's a somewhat mysterious therapy, given it's beginnings with no formal teaching or documentation by the great and late Tom Bowen, but it is slowly coming to the Light in understanding. I hope to take you there, at least start the journey.

I was based in Spain, though now I am back in Melbourne, Australia! 

Recently my article related to The Biology of Bowen - biomechanics of the Bowen Technique was published in the journal for the Bowen Therapists Professional Association (UK). 

Click anywhere on the images below to open article to read.