OVERVIEW

CONTEXT

In the past, families relied upon each other for primary health care and maintenance. Doctors were few and far between. Births and deaths were handled at home, and home remedies were common knowledge. When called upon, most family doctors knew hands-on techniques.

But in the 1950’s, these techniques were relegated to the new field of physical therapy. Physicians became ever more focused on emergency medicine over health maintenance.

While the field of emergency medicine remains vital to the treatment of acute illness and infection, an emphasis on medication and surgery can complicate chronic illness and soft-tissue injuries. Practices that support the body’s innate ability to heal may be more effective in the long run.

The Family Care classes will give you the knowledge and confidence to support your natural inclination to reach out and comfort your loved ones.

FAMILY CARE PROGRAM

In each Family Care class, you will learn specific hands-on releases. You will also receive supplemental information for supporting long-term wellness. The classes are designed for ease of learning by everyone.

We provide substantiated explanations to help you understand the reasoning behind the content. You will practice on guests, and also on the teacher to receive personalized guidance. Post-class, you will have access to videos of the hands-on techniques, which can be reviewed as often as you would like.

TRAINING INCLUDES

```
detailed manuals
```
```
demonstrations
```
```
Personal bowen session
```
```
HANDS-ON practice
```
```
post-class video access
```

In these classes, you will receive moves from the teacher only. We consider it vital that you receive Bowen only by experienced hands, so you can understand the quality of touch by feel. In each day’s class, you will receive a session of that day’s content before you learn the moves. Thanks to the required pauses between releases, this is easily done in a round-robin fashion, in a therapeutic atmosphere of peace and quiet.

CLASS STRUCTURE

CLASS DURATION: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Please arrive by 8:30 am to fill out forms, finalize payments and greet other participants. Class will begin on time.

LUNCH BREAK: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

We encourage you to bring your lunch so you can relax for an hour, or you can pop out to a restaurant if there is one nearby.

BRING A FRIEND: 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

We request that you schedule a friend or family member to join you in class, to serve as your model for practice. You (and possibly the teacher) will be the only ones doing moves on your guest.

POST-CLASS

An essential principle of the Bowen technique is to allow time for the system to integrate changes. A week without additional hands-on work is advised so as not to interrupt the process. We are committed to putting this principle into practice, therefore Family Care classes are always limited to one day.

PREPARATION

• Dress in light separates, ideally without zippers and pockets; your modesty will be assured throughout.

• Please trim your fingernails. Shorter nails help you perform the moves more effectively, and will be more comfortable for those you work on.

• Bandage any cuts securely.

• Avoid wearing scents, even essential oils, and ask your guests to do the same.

• Choose low- or no-scent shampoo and lotion, as many are sensitive to them.

CONSIDER BRINGING

Pen, pencil, highlighter, notepad, water bottle, snacks, and any other item for comfort such as a favorite tea, socks or slippers.

CLASS GUIDELINES

You may have a history of study in other bodywork modalities. There are many approaches to healing, and the body of available knowledge is vast.

During class, we ask you to refrain from contributing extra information, as our class is full of content and we want to stay on time.

PLEASE SHOW SENSITIVITY DURING CLASS IN THESE WAYS:

Refrain from giving your opinions about dietary practices, use of herbs or other medicines, even if you are a qualified expert in the field.

Refrain from comments about another’s appearance, as even a compliment on their level of fitness, for example, can elicit self-consciousness.

Avoid commentary about politics, religion or gender; practice respect and patience.

Refrain from side-talking and commentary, as they distract participants from their focus.

Silence cell phones (vibrate off) during the day, except for lunch time.

PARAMETERS

The Family Care class is intended for education and general relaxation. We do not diagnose or treat conditions. We acknowledge that local regulations may restrict the therapeutic application of touch outside the family circle.

This method is gentle and non-invasive. The moves are designed to be safe for all. We avoid bones and deep pressure to assure there is no possibility of discomfort.

The Bowen moves may cause responses in the days following class. These could range from immediate improvements to the aching of an old injury site that takes longer to unwind. We respect the intelligence of the body by allowing it time to integrate changes without interference.