Bowspring Is An Update On Yoga

Silke: Did you notice any changes to your body after practicing Bowspring for a while?

Bastian: Yes! The main effect was that I am absolutely pain-free. I used to have knee problems when I still practiced Anusara. They are gone now. This is also due to the change of attitude that came along with Bowspring. I no longer go into a posture that my body isn’t ready for. This used to be different.

Silke: Who can practice Bowspring?

Basti: I think anyone can do Bowspring who’s ready to open up. It is suitable for both the elderly and the young. Especially for people who feel a certain darkness in their soul, who might be depressed and are looking for some light. It is for everybody interested in movement. And for everybody who wants to feel the body-mind connection.

Silke: On your website you write “Postclassical Yoga.” Why?

Bastian: First of all, Bowspring looks very different. The concept behind it is different, I would say it´s way more complex. It’s very up to date concerning scientific findings like fascial research, for instance.

In a Bowspring class, there is something different happening and by naming it differently you make sure, that no one is disappointed or surprised. It is just way too different in comparison with classical yoga.

You could say Bowspring is an update to yoga, maybe even more.

Although…. in the end we are all looking for the same things. We have the same problems – as humans. And we are looking for a way to deal with these problems. The only difference is the way to approach these problems. 

If you look closely, you will clearly see that Bowspring is moving within the structures of yoga. You can see this, for example, in the format (structure, relaxation, meditation, etc.) of the classes.

Bowspring is not merely a functional training. It is not just a physiotherapeutic offer, but one that seeks the great unity of all things. Otherwise I would not do it.

Silke: Great unity … What is spirituality, for you?

Bastian: What is the core of spirituality? What are we humans looking for? I would say we seek connection! In religion, it is mostly about connecting with God. The image of God does not necessarily exist in yoga. I would use the word `presence` at this point and ask, “how can we become mindful, how can we experience presence?” Presence means that you do not feel disconnected from anything else in that moment. 

That you experience nature, other people, everything, not separated from yourself.  You open the curtain and see that everything is made from the same nucleus, the same seed.  All things are interrelated and within themselves vital. They cannot be separated. That is presence for me and that’s why meditation is a central activity in my classes.  

Silke: I remember that you said the other day “Bowspring is meditation in movement“, didn’t you?

Bastian: Yes, the people in the Western world have trouble sitting still. No wonder, sitting didn’t serve anybody so far! We sit quiet all day! Bowspring is moving meditation because you practice with attention and thus bring your mind into focus.  

When you then meditate in the way you are supposed to, that is, seated and still, you can experience presence. Something has cleared up through the practice. This is for me the core of spirituality.  

Silke: Changing the topic to more formal things: How do you become a Bowspring teacher?

Bastian: Right now, it’s like this: If you want to become a Bowspring teacher, you have to connect with people who teach Bowspring. You can do so either in Denver, with the founders, Desi and John, which is, of course, coming with some effort if you live in Europe. But you can also do it in Germany or elsewhere. Just check who is teaching Bowspring and then visit as many classes and workshops as possible in order to develop your own practice. This is the best way in my opinion. In fact, it is an ancient Indian concept – to really build a connection with a teacher.

Silke: There used to be many teachers listed on the Global Bowspring homepage. But now, if you are currently looking for a teacher, you do not know where they are. Why have they been deleted? Where do I find teachers? What’s going on? 🙂

Bastian: Bowspring is searching for new ways in all areas. Also in the sense that there is currently no Teacher Training. There is some kind of Teacher Training in Denver. But in Europe, Desi Springer and John Friend still refuse to do that. And I think that’s very smart. They do not believe in the old concept of Teacher Trainings. They require commitment (studentship) and not a certain amount of money to trade for a teachers certificate. If teachers have been deleted from the lists, it’s simply because many have already given up their commitment and may not teach Bowspring anymore at all.

Silke: You as well?

Bastian: Yes, I guess I will be listed. As a “Dedicated Bowspringer,” which is the first, basic category. Then there are the certified teachers. You have to do a little bit more for that. For example, upload a video and answer a questionnaire, after completing some trainings with Desi & John. And then there are the trainers, these are the ones who are also allowed to offer teacher training. Currently these are only Desi Springer and John Friend.

Silke: And you? Will you do that someday? Offer Teacher Trainings?

Bastian: I would say I’m already doing so. It just doesn’t look like that from the outside. I have a few student-teachers, some from outside of Berlin. I devote all my energy to build these personal connections. All in all, one has to ask what that means: “training”?

In my view, the relationship between teacher and student is in the foreground. Everything else is business and I reject that.

Silke: I have the impression that you have your own way of teaching. Are you still using the Bowspring algorithm?

Bastian: I am teaching the bowspring alignment principles to a T. The question is: What’s different about my teaching style? I would say, creativity and individual handling of alignment specifications. I have my own understanding and the courage to apply the Bowspring Blueprint in the way I sense the fascial network. So I am able to expand the given forms.

For me one of the most important principles of Bowspring is Biotensegrity. There is a tension between your body parts, which are connected by ligaments, tendons, muscles, and fasciae. It is this body connection that I focus attention on while the students move through the sequences, called Katas. That’s the essential principle: Biotensegrity. The integrated tension within the body conveys wholeness because you have the experience of connection throughout these chains. This is how you can experience connection in the microcosm of the body, but also beyond that throughout the whole universe.

Silke: Biotensegrity…all about fascia I guess?

Bastian: Absolutely! It’s all about fascia. The basic idea of Bowspring is that we are no longer concentrating on the bones, but rather see how the bones are embedded in the surrounding tissue. How do bones float within this tissue? We do not move the bones but we engage the tissue. The practice must therefore look different, more wavy, more liquid. Classical yoga does not represent the idea of biotensegrity. In classical yoga, you concentrate on the position of the bones. You align them mostly on top of each other, so that one thinks, “Yes, now the bones are on top of each other and therefore the position is stable”. In Bowspring, we seek stability in a completely different way, within a fascial network of push-and-pull-relationships.