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History of Bowen in Canada
The story of Bowen in Canada begins with a handful of Canadian naturopathic doctors who sought training in the Bowen Technique from Bowtech®.
The early instructors were Dr. Sherry Ure (1992), Dr. Lise Maltais (1994), and Dr. Manon Bolliger (1992). They received their training directly through Ossie Rentch. Manon Bolliger, Lise Maltais and Wanda Parks were responsible for the training of the vast majority of the present instructors who are with Bowtech. (Derek Murphy, Louise Tremblay, Jonathan Damonte, Meryl Cook, Kim Guerin, Christine Perkins).
In 2000, Dr. Manon Bolliger and Jonathan Damonte established Bowen Canada as a way of putting Bowen therapy on the Canadian map. The founding board was comprised of Dr. Manon Bolliger, Dr. Lise Maltais and Bowen instructor Louise Tremblay. The first coordinator was Jonathan Damonte, followed by Dr. MaryAnne Hembroff and Dr. Jason Bakovich, followed by Andrea Sandoval and presently by Pierre Saine.
In 2002, there was a decision-making process established by them (consensus or majority vote), which granted the Board independent status which was sanctioned by Bowtech®.
This independent self-governing status was retracted by Bowtech® in 2006 in an attempt to solve the perceived conflict that had arisen regarding the location of Bowen Canada’s headquarters. As a result, there was a division in the instructors and Lise Maltais, Wanda Parks, Meryl Cook, and Manon Bolliger formed the Bowen Academy in 2006. Bowen Canada was moved to Quebec and run by Louise Tremblay and her partner Pierre Saine, Bowtech® sanctioned both Boards.
The year 2007 was one of growing confusion due to misinformation regarding the status of Bowen Academy instructors. At the same time, practitioners began to realize they were not privy to the whole story of Tom Bowen and furthermore there began to be "politics" surrounding "approved" courses for continuing education credits.
In November 2007, Dr. Christine Perkins (a new instructor in training) and Dr. Bolliger collaborated on a letter in an attempt to unify all practitioners and create a more accountable organization while still enabling Bowen practitioners to have access to a more comprehensive view of Bowen.
On the heels of this, in December 2007, Bowtech® dismissed Dr. Manon Bolliger without explanation and accused her of "blackmail."
Dr. Lise Maltais was also dismissed and Wanda Parks resigned because of what she considered as unprofessional conduct on the part of Bowtech®. The dismissal of senior instructors, remains unresolved to this day, as Bowtech® has no board of appeal or any equivalent body to address wrongful dismissal claims.
By 2008, Dr. Manon Bolliger and Wanda Parks were eager to move forward with Bowen independently. They envisioned a fresh new forum in which practitioners could freely share insights and expertise relating to the Bowen Technique.
Thus Bowen College – officially The Bowen College Inc. – was born.
Dr. Manon Bolliger and Wanda Parks put together a new Bowen curriculum and persisted with their vision of seeking knowledge and sharing it. Since launching Bowen College, many other practitioners have joined them, allowing a dynamic learning community to form.