Wings & Roots

Therapy for Shoulders & Hips

A Six-Class Online Course with John Friend

The shoulders are like wings, designed for spaciousness, freedom, and expressive movement. The hips are our roots, providing grounding, stability, and power. When either area becomes restricted, injured, or chronically tense, the effects can be felt throughout the whole body.

In this six-week therapeutic course, John Friend will guide students through progressive Bowspring practices designed to address shoulder and hip pain, stiffness, weakness, and limited mobility. Each one-hour class will include accessible exercises that help students recognize and transform habitual postural patterns that may be obstructing healing or contributing to joint compression and degeneration.

The Bowspring method teaches a dynamic, curving alignment that balances the tone of the connective tissue surrounding the shoulders and hips. Rather than forcing the joints into rigid positions or simply stretching tight areas, the practice creates greater space within the joints, improves circulation, and develops more balanced strength and mobility throughout the body.

Beginners will learn the essential principles of Bowspring alignment, while experienced students and teachers will gain a deeper understanding of how to apply the method therapeutically. The course is appropriate for all levels, and the exercises can be adapted for different abilities and physical conditions.

John will teach each class live on Zoom with the assistance of a model, allowing students to clearly see the alignment principles and the precise way each exercise should be practiced. The six classes will build progressively while also providing practical movements that can be repeated between sessions to support continued improvement.

This course may help you:

• Understand postural habits that contribute to shoulder and hip discomfort
• Create more space and freedom within the joints
• Balance strength, flexibility, and connective-tissue tone
• Improve mobility, circulation, and functional movement
• Develop greater awareness of how the shoulders and hips relate to the spine and the whole body
• Establish a therapeutic home practice for long-term joint health

Course Details

Six Mondays, 7:00–8:00 p.m. EDT
September 14–October 19, 2026
Live online through Zoom

Every class will be recorded. At the completion of the course, registered students will receive access to the entire six-hour video course through Bowspring.com, allowing them to review the teachings and continue practicing at their own pace.

All levels are welcome. No previous Bowspring experience is required.