Traditional Wooden Longbow Making in Bellingen

Name: Traditional Wooden Longbow Making in Bellingen
Start: 2025-11-15T00:00:00+11:00
End: 2025-11-16T07:00:00+11:00
Location: Bellingen Shire

Schedule

Sat, 15 Nov, 2025 at 12:00 am to Sun, 16 Nov, 2025 at 07:00 am

UTC+11:00

Location

Bellingen Shire | Bellingen, NS

TRADITIONAL WOODEN LONGBOW MAKING
Tapping into the wisdom of our ancestors - Developing presence for what is.
>>> Awareness : Resilience : Focus <<<
Make a Traditional Wooden Longbow with Archer, Yoga Teacher, & Holistic Life Coach Lars Richter. All experience levels welcome.
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land and give great thanks and honouring to be on this land.
Lars is passionate about making traditional skills accessible to everyone with an interest, and in the practical application of these tools in our ‘day to day’ life. A bow can be used not just as a sport or a tool to hunt for food, but as a discipline, meditation, or spiritual practice as in the popular 1930s book on zen buddhism, Zen in the Art of Archery. Our most celebrated quote is, “In the case of archery, the hitter and the hit are no longer two opposing objects, but are one reality.” It points to the experience others have since described as “flow” or being “in the zone”.
This workshop offers much more than making a longbow. By focusing on moving from within, & observing your mind and energy flow, Lars will show you ways to reconnect; ground with the Earth & get in touch with your true self, by exploring the art of making a longbow and learning the skills to use it. This can be a truly awakening and life changing experience.
Lars has been teaching longbow making and other traditional skills to both children and adults in Victoria, interstate and overseas for more than 10 years, and has helped many people make significant changes in their life offering his knowledge and experience as a Holistic Life Coach through his business 'Narrative Yoga’.
Lars has studied Yoga, Qi-Gong and similar energy work practices since 1996. He has been teaching Yoga and Meditation in Germany since 2001 and running workshops overseas since living in Australia. He holds a diploma in Transpersonal Counselling, trained in Compassionate Inquiry and is a certified Results Coach. He ha extensive knowledge and experience in wholesome living.
YOUR LEARNING:
You will come away from the workshop with your own Wooden Longbow, as well as the knowledge & skills to make many more. You will learn how to make a bowstring that perfectly complements your own bow, & understand the art of tillering (the process of carefully removing wood to cause the bows to bend in optimal arcs). You will learn how to tiller your bows to precise measurements of draw length and draw weight so that they are suited to your individual needs. After the bow is functionally finished, the bow is brought to an aesthetically pleasing finish with fine sanding and oiling.
BONUS:
During the afternoon of the second day, the bows will be ready for students to learn the Art of Archery. You will receive an introduction to the instinctive shooting method and also different release techniques. Archery is a powerful tool that can be applied beneficially in many daily life situations.
“Thanks for a great weekend with the longbow making workshop. I appreciated the mix of longbow expertise with the more meditative elements and advice that could be applied to other areas of life. To paraphrase: Don’t get too hung up on the final product without enjoying the journey. You need to enjoy the journey. If you don’t enjoy the journey, you’re missing the point. It was a relaxing time and I’m proud of the work I completed. I would definitely recommend the longbow workshop to others.” David
“Just wanted to thank you again for such an awesome bow making weekend the other weekend. I’ve taken my bow out shooting since and I’m still so impressed with her. It’s an awesome feeling to know that I’m shooting with something I created myself and could make again too.” Jessie
“The longbow workshop in Trentham a couple of weeks ago was the best! My son and I enjoyed bonding time in the company of a friendly group of likeminded souls. Best of all, we made something together that we will cherish and look after for a lifetime…reminiscent of the toys and tools of my own childhood. A bonus is the time my son spends daily (!) honing his newly discovered archery skills."
"The longbow workshop was a beautiful and enduring experience for us both. Thanks Lars!” Michelle
WORKSHOP DETAILS:
Friday night firecircle and Saturday morning yoga inclusive, camping for an additional small fee.
SATURDAY: 10am - 5pm: longbow making
SUNDAY:
10am - 5pm: longbow making, beginner archery skills with your new Longbow
WHAT TO BRING:
An adult if you're under 14yrs. Recommended 10+ yo. The child knows when he/she is ready. (I worked with 5 yo up to 87 yo students! Please contact me if you have a question.
Weather appropriate clothing, towel, hat & water bottle, cup and anything you need to sustain yourself
==>> Work horse, clamp <<==
...and any wood work tool you might think will help (optional).
To keep workshop costs @ an absolute minimum, we ask that you bring your own food & drinks.
Pre-made meals and snacks, including an esky for cold goods is ideal.
EARLY BIRD: $495 (Book 5 weeks before the event.)
THEREAFTER: $550
Included are all materials and one arrow, tools are provided and an archery session is inclusive.
Places are limited!
Please secure your spot by transferring $195 into the following account:
Lars Richter, BSB 182 182, Acc. no. 018170746
Please send an e-mail with the receipt/copy of your completed transfer to [email protected]
State WORKSHOP LOCATION next to your NAME in the subject line. Thank you.
BOOKINGS AND COMPANY INFORMATION
Narrative Yoga, Elwood, VIC3184
Book now or call Lars Richter: +61402322200 if you have any questions. You can also use the contact form on www.narrativeyoga.com.au