At Bowen College UK, we’re proud to have dedicated tutors who bring their passion for holistic health into everything they teach.
In this blog, Bowen Tutor Helen Cooper shares what it’s like to learn Bowen Therapy for the first time. From her own journey into bodywork to the transformative experiences of her students, Helen offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Introduction to Bowen course.
If you’re curious about Bowen Therapy or considering learning a hands-on healing technique, this piece will give you a real sense of what to expect—and how it could change your perspective on health and well-being.
So, What’s It Like to Learn Bowen Therapy? Here’s a Peek Inside the Introductory Course
There’s always been something in me that’s drawn to helping people. As a child, I thrived in Brownies, Guides, and Scouts, and later in team sports, where I loved encouraging others. I even planned to become a physical training instructor – but life had other ideas, and I ended up working in banking instead.
It wasn’t until I had my second son that I took a step back and thought: Is this really what I want to be doing for the rest of my life?
That’s when I found Bowen Therapy.
I still remember my first training course – because it felt like coming home. The technique just made sense to me. It wasn’t about forcing change, but inviting the body to respond. That simple, gentle approach was so powerful, and for the first time, I knew I had found something I truly loved doing.
Now, over 20 years later, I’ve built my own practice, helped hundreds of people, and found just as much joy in teaching Bowen as I do in practising it.
But I know what you might be wondering…
“Could I actually learn Bowen Therapy?”
This is the most common question I get from people who are curious about Bowen Therapy but have never done any hands-on therapy before.
The short answer? Yes!
You don’t need to have any experience to come along to my Introduction to Bowen Therapy course. In fact, most of my students have never done anything like it before. Some have received Bowen as a treatment and loved the results, and others are just naturally drawn to holistic health.
Many of them come in nervous – worried they won’t be able to ‘get it’ – but by the end of the weekend, they’re blown away by what they’ve learned.
What Happens in the Two-Day Intro Course?
If you’re thinking about attending, here’s what you can expect:
1. You’ll Learn the Basics of Bowen Therapy
We start with the foundational Bowen moves—simple, gentle rolling motions across muscles and fascia. These techniques help the body relax, reset, and release tension.
By the end of the weekend, you’ll be able to give a full-body Bowen treatment—something you can use immediately to help family, friends, or even yourself.
“I loved that we got to practise straight away. I was amazed at how much I could do after just two days.” – Past Student
2. You’ll Start to Feel and ‘Listen’ with Your Hands
One of the biggest shifts students experience is learning to feel the subtle changes in the body. Bowen is all about working with the body’s natural rhythms, and throughout the course, I’ll guide you to develop that sensitivity.
Many students find that once they slow down and tune in, their hands start picking up things they never noticed before.
“I never thought I’d be able to feel the changes, but I can! It’s incredible how the body responds.” – Past Student
3. You’ll Discover a New Way to Help People
Bowen Therapy can help with pain, stress, mobility issues, and overall well-being. Even in our two-day course, I’ve seen students apply the moves and get real results straight away.
One student treated her husband after the course, and he was shocked by how much better his chronic shoulder pain felt. Another used the techniques on her elderly mother, who slept better that night than she had in years.
4. You’ll Gain Confidence in Your Touch
One of my favourite parts of teaching is seeing the lightbulb moments—when a student suddenly gets it.
At the start, people often worry about whether they’re ‘doing it right’. But over the weekend, you’ll build confidence in your hands, learning how much pressure to use, when to pause, and how to trust your instincts.
“Helen is such a supportive teacher. She made me feel confident and capable, even though I had no experience before.” – Past Student
Who Is This Course For?
If any of these sound like you, then this course is a perfect fit:
- You’re interested in holistic health and want to learn a hands-on technique
- You’ve had Bowen Therapy before and want to understand how it works
- You’re looking for a career change and want to explore bodywork
- You want to help family and friends with a gentle, effective therapy
- You’re already a practitioner and want to add Bowen to your skills
What Happens After the Course?
Some people come just to learn a new skill for their own health and well-being. Others discover that they want to take it further and train as a Certified Bowen Practitioner.
If you decide to continue your journey, the £299 course fee will be deducted from your full Bowen Practitioner training – so this weekend can be your first step into a whole new career.
But regardless of whether you continue or not, you’ll walk away with real, practical skills you can use immediately.
Join Me in the Highlands This March
I’ll be teaching the Introduction to Bowen Therapy on March 15-16 in Muir of Ord, Highlands. It’s a beautiful setting, and I keep the class small and hands-on, so you’ll get lots of individual attention.
I’d love to welcome you there and help you discover the incredible world of Bowen Therapy. Visit the course page to sign up or get in touch if you have any questions!
