One of the more important functions of a flowform is the effect they have in the invisible realm- in that of our consciousness. From their inception, flowforms have be been utilized as educational tools, and a majority of their designers and crafts people have been involved in Waldorf pedagogy. It is for this reason that CFA is committed to furthering the educational process and deepening our awareness of the world we live in. This page contains information about our educational services, from workshops to further resources for educators. Please check back occassionally as this page is subject to change often!

Consultation, lectures and training - Creative Director and founder Patrick Garretson is available for presentations and trainings on water flow science and its importance in the new paradigm of wholeness and ecological/spiritual literacy. Patrick weaves together a dynamic presentation of the structure of water and its reflection in the Cosmos and biology. The implications that emerge out of flowform science tend to lead one toward a more harmonious relationship with the field of spacetime that we call Existence.

Up coming workshops: Nothing scheduled at this time.

School discounts - We offer special discount rates for schools and certain educational institutions on all our manufactured flowforms. Please contact us for more information.

Books - Also, please see our products page for obtaining books and other educational materials!

For educators - You can download this pdf of various water experiments that demonstrate waters role as the origin of organic shape and form: Water_Experimts.PDF

The history and science behind flowform movement.

Invented by English sculptor John Wilkes in the early seventies, flowform water features are designed on the principle that water is inherently rhythmic in nature. Water continually seeks to move in meandering and sinuous patterns that enable it to cleanse and re-energize itself. The incorporation of oxygen and other vital elements is a crucial process that is at its ideal state in a flowform. It has been observed that pulsation and spiral flow is water’s natural state, and this is transferred into the living organisms it has birthed. The steady coherent rhythm is the signature of flowform technology, unique in the realm of water treatment.

In collaboration with mathematician, George Adams, and flow scientist Theodore Schwenk (author of Sensitive Chaos<), John Wilkes helped to demonstrate water’s inner nature. These water pioneers were exploring path-curve surfaces, the mathematical proportions of organic form and development. Growth, metamorphosis, and evolution all derive their patterns from these path-curve surfaces. Organs, bones, organisms, and whole ecosystems are able to maintain a higher state of health and vitality the closer they adhere to their respective “blue-prints”. Water is the medium for these surfaces as it continually strives to flow on a path curve. The question posed was:

“if we could allow water to experience such an ideal (path-curve) surface, would that water then acquire a higher potential to build organically, to support organic life-processes?”

The primary medium for studing these path curve surfaces was water itself, and the myriad patterns it makes as it moves. Schwenk developed several methods to make the invisible patterns in water visible.

These undulating vortices, known as Van Karman Street vortices, can be observed in nature, when a cloudbank drifts evenly over an island, or when a laminar (straight) flow of water encounters a solid object with no other interference. The images by Schwenk were generated in a water/glycerin solution, using a powder that floated on top, and then drawing a rod evenly and straight through the powdered surface. From these patterns, it is evident that water, and other fluids, have three primary stages: laminar, rhythmic (or harmonic), and turbulent. The rhythmic sequence is often overlooked by contemporary science, and is the basis for the discovery of the flowform method. All living things are dependent upon a myriad of rhythms- most of which have to do with water.

From the spiral, to the pulsing lemniscate (infinity symbol), to the standing wave, the shapes water makes as it flows reveal a delicate structure which is constantly changing, but holding to a definite pattern. This pattern, so notes Schwenk, is the pattern of the cosmos and of the basic framework of the Universe. And thus Life is born in water.

The observations noted by Schwenk and Wilkes hearken back to previous scientific discoveries of Johannes Goethe. Goethe is well known for his poetic and literary works- namely Faust. But he was also a keen observer of Nature and her subtle qualities. It was Goethe who defined the science of morphology, which ultimately lead to Darwin's discovery of the evolution of species. The experiments with water carried out by Schwenk demonstrate a fundamental morphological sequence, or flow, evident in this most basic of elements. In other words, hidden within water lay the blue-prints for organic growth and development. The flowform is but one tool for revealing some of these hidden characteristics.

Many people associate the work of Victor Schauberger with the flowform. Though his work directly applies and is expounded upon in the flowform, John Wilkes was completely unaware of Schauberger when he designed the first flowform. It is likely that Theodore Schwenk who collaborated with Wilkes, was very well aware of Schauberger, though no where is he mentioned in Sensitive Chaos. However, Schaubergers work is worthy of note and we encourage those interested to explore it deeper as there is much that tragic fellow of science brought to the world that has yet to be developed. Below are some links to pages that describe Schaubergers work in more detail.

The evidence over the past 30 years of flowform research has demonstrated that there is indeed an increase in water quality when worked with in this way. From landscape and interior design, to agriculture and industrial mixing, flowform technology is becoming widely recognized as a powerful and dynamic tool for treating fluids of all kinds.