BOWEN Technique therapist Sarah Baglin is taking on the role of Teaching Assistant Candidate (TAC), the first stage in qualifying as an instructor.
The idea was suggested to her by friend and Bowen colleague Nickatie Morgan, herself an experienced instructor who trained Sarah eight years ago. “I love and respect Bowen for the results it can achieve on both humans and horses, and this feels like a natural progression in my Bowen career,” she told us.
She could not have imagined being in this position when she first became aware of Bowen. Her story began as a keen rider (since the age of seven), when her horse was six months pregnant and developed lymphangitis; with a foal on board the usual steroid treatment was not possible. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs helped a little, but she was in a bad way.
“The right hind leg was swollen to elephantine proportions with weeping sores and I was desperately worried,” said Sarah. “Equine therapist Cath Howard on the yard suggested a course of Equine Muscle Release Therapy (EMRT) might help. It did indeed help and she made a full recovery, giving birth to a healthy foal. That was it for me and I wanted to know more!”
Some years later, with her partner requiring ongoing support following a motorcycling accident, Sarah took the plunge and signed up to train as a Bowen therapist, qualifying in 2017. She is also a qualified Equine Muscle Release Therapist, often referred to as equine Bowen.
She told us: “It was a tough time, working as a payroll administrator, caring for two horses and a poorly partner. I was fortunate when I approached my employer about providing Bowen free of charge to work colleagues as part of my training (10 case studies are required) they agreed under their Employee Wellness Initiative, so I had lots of people to choose from and a wide range of issues to practice and learn from.
“Having been made redundant last year, this seems the perfect time to pursue what I want to do,” she added. As part of a collective group of therapists operating out of the same centre, she has recently moved with them to larger and better-appointed premises in Wakefield.
“It feels like the right time for me to take the next step. I am excited, nervous and proud about taking on the role of Bowen Teaching Assistant Candidate and hope to progress in the future to become a Bowen Training UK instructor.”
Editor’s note: For more information about the Teaching Assistant Candidate opportunity please see separate story