The last stop on our 2018 European tour was on the Croatian island of Brac, which has paradisiacal beaches for sunbathing in crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea.
Our local host, Smili Primorac began regularly practicing the Bowspring 2 years ago, and teaching Bowspring classes at her Yoga Camp Kanun in the town of Bol on Brac in the past year. Twelve years ago, Smili became the first and only yoga teacher on the island (population < 15K people). In the winter, she teaches the locals and in the summer, her classes include many tourists.
Smili taught Anusara yoga for several years until finding the Bowspring method in 2015 through Berlin Bowspring teacher, Bastian Schlickeisen. Smili recounts, “In the Bowspring, I felt more space, lightness and freedom in my body. With this new yoga path, I felt that a healing had begun. I fell in love with the practice, and then wanted to share that experience with my students. Last year I started teaching 5 Bowspring classes per week, and many of my students now say that the feeling of freedom and space in the body is completely new to them and their chronic pains are gone.”Our Croatian co-hosts, Bowspring teachers – Smili Primorac (Bol) and Barbara Jukopila (Zagreb)Barbara Jukopila helped Smili Primorac organize our event in Bol, Croatia this year. She started her Bowspring practice in 2014 after taking a workshop with us in Malaga, Spain. Barbara works full-time with a film production company, and then a couple times a week teaches Bowspring classes at a yoga studio in the capital of Croatia, Zagreb.
When asked why she turned to Bowspring from her classical yoga practice, Barbara explained, \” I fell in love with Bowspring because my body feels free, open and light during the practice, but at the same time strong and toned. Secondly, I find it very healthy and I don\’t have any pain since I began practicing Bowspring. Thirdly, my body really feels better when I apply Bowspring in my other daily life activities – walking, sitting, and standing.\”
Regarding the benefits of the Bowspring for her students, Barbara commented, \’\’Throughout history, Croats often experienced oppression which weakened our confidence. Through the Bowspring method, we learn how to take accountability for our own inner state and outer alignment. It is interesting to see how many students now stand up against the prejudices of the postural alignment that says that \’hips back\’ is not polite or that it\’s inappropriate. My students like to practice Bowspring because only does it help free themselves from pain, but it helps to build confidence and strength in both their mind and body.\”
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Loving shout-out to Marija Grgurevic, our beautiful Bowspringer from the extraordinary city of Dubrovnik, Croatia, who also supported our previous visit to Croatia.Bol, CroatiaEntrance to Smili\’s Yoga Kamp KanunView from Smili\’s yoga area – open-sided, thatched roof space for 20 studentsDesi assisting Tyanna from Switzerland in One-Arm Forearm Balance – pushing knees down to lift hips upAdriatic SeaBol, CroatiaZlatni RatClothing optional – stone beaches all along the South side of Brac
