Positive Health Online

Bowen, created by natural bodyworker Tom Bowen over 20 years ago, is a simple and gentle yet powerful therapy in which skin slack is drawn back with the fingers and thumbs to the edge of a muscle, tendon or ligament at a particular point on the body until the skin is taut, and then held at that still-point to draw the body's awareness and energy. The fingers and thumbs are then moved back over the muscle, tendon or ligament, creating vibrations and a subtle energy release that ripples outwards to encompass the whole body.

Bowen has multiple applications on both a physical and emotional level, and its successful use in pre- and post-natal care and in treating frozen shoulder and eczema and in releasing fear are particularly highlighted, using case study and research findings. It is also helpful for sportspeople pre- and post-performance, and offers gentle detoxification.

Practitioners often use a series of very light Bowen moves on the forehead and
third eye to finish a session. This is the first move in the series

 The technique works by rebalancing the muscular and fascial tension levels and releasing tensions and distortions in the fascia, which affect the whole body. When the fascia and muscles are permanently contracted or distorted, the tissue dehydrates, thus Bowen assists rehydration and softening of the connective tissues, and, through the piezoelectric quality of the fascia, facilitates the body's capacity to detect, amplify and process bio-electromagnetic signals that inform the cells where maintenance adjustments need to be made for maximum health. Bowen also rebalances the autonomic nervous system, and through the light/electromagnetic energy emitted by the practitioner's hands - of an almost identical frequency range as the Schumann Resonance known as the heartbeat of the earth, which controls our life rhythm - healing and regeneration are stimulated.

Bowen can be used effectively alongside other complementary therapies. For instance, it is used in conjunction with reflexology and creative healing in the Jeyarani Method, and acupuncturists have found that it increases the level of energy in the meridians. Comprehensive details for obtaining further information about Bowen, training and finding a competent practitioner are provided.

Kayode Olafimihan is Director of the Bowen International Foundation and Susannah Hall is Principal of the Bowen School.