What is the healthiest (?) way to draw the bow?

[arrow flynn]

indian clubs are great i can overhead press a40 lb dumbell for reps icouldnd do 5lbs i mean i could but id pay for it later my left is still lagging behind but it was the worst yeh indian clubs are usefull

[Robin Earp]

I have been reading your many post on shooting with your back i wish someone would explain how do you shoot with your back when you pull the bow with your fingers shoulders hands,i am at a loss on what you are saying about shooting with your back,my back at least the last time i looked does not have hands fingers and shoulders.I am not trying to be smart about it i am trying to get someone to tell me how do you shoot with your back,and how do you know if you are shooting with your back

[moebow]

Robin,  Where in Wisconsin are you?  If you are "up north" you can come over to Grand Rapids MN and I'll be happy to show you.  As BobCo says it is not easy to explain back tension with words but much easier to show and do.

Essentially, you are using the back muscles to activate the lever of your upper arm bone (humerus). That allows the elbow to move around the spine.  Your upper arm muscles and tendons in your lower arm are as relaxed as possible and definitely NOT used in the drawing motion.

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

Robin,
You should take a look at 'The Bowhunters of Trad Gang DVD', it got my mind wrapped around a lot of concepts I was having trouble with.

[seven crows]

Coming from sort of a tai ji or qi gong point of view. When I draw, I    try to concentrate on my breath first ( breath deep into your core, a tad below belly button). And second pushing "OUT" with my bow hand as I swing up with the same energy that I pull back with the string hand. by diligent  practice  of this (especially the breathing and focused PUSH) I bet you will find a solidity and smoothness to your draw. When we do not breath and only think about muscling up weight or back on the string we are actually in a weakened state.