by Joanna Reay, Spirit of Pilates
I was introduced to Bowen therapy in 2010 while training to be a Pilates instructor to help manage persistent pain in my neck, shoulder and back. It was recommended as a gentle yet effective approach to pain relief. Curious and hopeful, I gave it a try with remarkable results.
Bowen brought me significant relief where other treatments had fallen short, and I was amazed by how such subtle movements could create such profound change. Inspired by my own healing journey, I felt compelled to train as a Bowen therapist myself to share this powerful method with others seeking relief and recovery.
I trained with Bowtech instructor Trevor Griffiths (now retired) and qualified in 2014. I have since furthered my knowledge and deepened my practice by undertaking various CPD courses, allowing me to refine my skills and keep up to date with the latest techniques and approaches.
As time went by, it became clear how naturally the two modalities complement each other. Pilates offers strength, alignment and controlled movement while Bowen aims to facilitate deep release, balance and nervous system regulation.
Integrating Bowen into my work has added a whole new layer of insight and effectiveness to my Pilates classes. I’m now able to better understand the underlying patterns of tension and imbalance in the client and address them more holistically. Bowen has deepened my ability to support clients in moving with greater ease, awareness and lasting change.
This is key when it comes to prescribing individual Pilates exercises. A Bowen session enables me to observe how the body responds – where tension releases, how posture changes, or which muscles are under or overactive. Instead of guesswork, I can design a Pilates session that meets the body exactly which is incredibly empowering for myself and my client.
More Pilates instructors are recognising the potential of Bowen in this way, including Liza Pang who qualified as a Pilates instructor in 2023 and a Bowtech therapist the following year. She told us: “While Bowen is not as dynamic as Pilates, the initial client assessment is similar. There is a natural cross-over, the two modalities complementing each other to ensure lasting body alignment and overall health.”
Editor’s note: Joanna is based in Skipton