One of our beloved teachers, Randi Randolf-Liebnau from Linz, Austria, recently started teaching a Bowspring beginners group composed of 13 students, most of whom are over 50 years old. She has observed significant progress in such a short amount of time with this group of students and she proudly wanted to share their experiences with the Global Bowspring community.
Randi has spent the majority of class time focusing on the Bowspring basics, which has had a very powerful effect on her students’ alignment and mindset. She recently taught about the Bowspring alignment for the feet. Many students noticed they had tight and cramped feet due to years of misalignment. In turn, Randi showed the students how to do self-massage and simple, yet effective exercises, to reshape their feet. She also showed them how Bowspring can therapeutically help re-align their legs and hips, no matter how old they are.
Several of her students commented that once they experienced relief of chronic pain and could see a noticeable change in their overall posture, they were hooked on the Bowspring practice. Randi taught her students how to engage their glutes by practicing the Dig-Drag motion with the paws of their feet (forefoot – toe pads and mounds). Many of the men were able to recognize that hyperextending their knees prevented them from lifting and engaging their glutes. Once they flexed their ankles, bent their knees, and formed a crease in their hips, they were able to lift and engage their glutes. Randi reported another student shared she was once trained to shorten her abdominals and to tuck her pelvis to protect her back. Since practicing Bowspring with Randi, this student has learned to engage and activate her once “forgotten” glutes.
After learning the alignment and action of the Roots, students learned how to properly align their hands, arms, and shoulders (Wings). For most of the students, instruction on the relationship between scapular alignment and arm movement was completely new. When they lifted their arms, they unknowingly squeezed the upper shoulder muscles, causing significant pain. Randi taught them to expand the ribcage from a radiant heart, helping to widen the shoulder girdle, and creating balanced engagement of the shoulder muscles. Students discovered the tensegrity of the wings in this alignment and felt less shoulder discomfort. Randi’s students have learned to align their bodies and improve body awareness by counterbalancing body parts and engaging in opposing actions (e.g. rooting and rising and dig-drag).
Randi is observing longer-lasting and more positive results from her students by teaching the Bowspring method, as compared to her years of teaching yoga and other trainings. According to Randi, one of the most important benefits observed in her students is that many are choosing to take greater responsibility for their overall health. Several experienced students are even extending help and support to newer students, which has helped build a greater sense of community and is making classes more fun for everyone. Randi exclaimed that she has witnessed the students’ bodies becoming more open and relaxed with each week’s class and described the increased smoothness of their fascia as “fresh and young”.
We have heard similar feedback from several other teachers around the world. The effectiveness and utility of the Bowspring alignment is undeniable to all who have committed to consistent practice beyond the first few months of the orientation period. It is wonderful to hear how our older students are feeling more open, youthful, and can enjoy their days with a greater sense of vitality and lightness. The truth of the matter, people of all ages and abilities can feel more whole, light, and springy with consistent Bowspring practice!
Have a look at what Randi’s students have experienced by practicing the Bowspring method:
“When I first started practicing yoga, my mind thought I had to do it because it was good for me. But I wasn’t really motivated since I wasn’t feeling big changes. But now, my body is in love with Bowspring. I miss it when I’m not able to practice during the week, and I will do everything I can to make sure I can come to Randi’s Bowspring classes. Bowspring is essential in my life”. – Karin, 50 years old.
“Since I’ve been doing Bowspring, I feel more confident, I can sing better and I enjoy the joyful way of movement.” – Hertha, 64 years old“I understand that everything starts with the breath. I found out that I was breathing totally wrong. Now I don’t feel dizzy anymore and I’m much more energetic.” – Maria, 62 years old
“I now have a new body awareness and I feel more happy and free. I love the joyful way of moving in the Bowspring.” – Rudi, 64 years old
“Since I’ve been doing Bowspring, I can ski better. I’m suddenly using muscles I didn’t know I had. I recently didn’t feel any pain or tension after 7 hours of skiing, which I normally felt before practicing Bowspring.” – Romana, 43 years old
“I don’t get as angry anymore. The new consciousness of my inner space and my Radiant Heart gives me the ability to deal and release these kinds of feelings, which previously closed my body and mind.” – Terese, 31 years old
“When I stay in my elasticity, I don’t feel “old” at all. Since I’ve been doing Bowspring I’m not “hungry” for other things anymore. With Bowspring, I’ve found what I’ve been needing. After a Bowspring class I feel I’ve had a good workout, strong and relaxed on both sides. I feel “fed and full”, like after a good meal.” – Renate, 60 years old
