© Julia Petersen

Youksakka
Fun & Bow Company

Intuitive archery

Clear your head for a moment, please: Peter Behrhorst takes you on a mindful journey to greater awareness.

Man in tent with arches on the wall
© Julia Petersen

Arrive, breathe deeply, let go. Three words that encompass so much, say so much, and yet are completely serene. Here, at the archery range between Tinnum and Keitum, is one of those special places on Sylt that focuses on just that. But in a completely informal way, without much fanfare. 

Peter Behrhorst and his wife Christine ensure this with their being and their project, the Youksakka Fun & Bow Company from March to October and now even year-round. They have been working on this over the past few months, with their creativity and craftsmanship. Two essential components of the extraordinary business model on Sylt. A true island monopoly. Calling themselves that would probably never occur to the Behrhorst family. In this special space, surrounded by a sports hall, soccer field and idyllic meadows, it's about more and yet much less. Mindfulness and awareness are two of the key words that come up again and again in Peter's taster course today. Gentle and powerful, in harmony with the bigger picture. "It's important that you concentrate on your breathing. Breathe through your lungs, into your diaphragm and stomach. This will give you support and calm," the experienced bow maker explains to his three students today. 

© Julia Petersen
When I build a bow, the wood speaks to me.

Back to the origins. Back to nature. Back to the divine. 

Man demonstrates archery in front of spectator
© Julia Petersen

With passion, feeling, and a wealth of knowledge, he introduces each participant to the art and culture of archery. He specializes in Manau bows, sourcing the wood for them from Sumatra, Indonesia. But yew bows are his favorite. For him, they are the mystical material, the mediators between the living and the dead world. He also uses walnut from America, as well as ash, elm, and acacia from Europe. He only mentions, upon request, that he has also built bows for film sets and famous stars such as Jürgen Vogel and Russell Crow. Every word Peter speaks has meaning, a sense of purpose. The magic behind this ancient tradition quickly becomes clear. 

"There are three fundamental motivations for archery: nourishment, killing, wealth, and returning to oneself," explains the father of three and self-proclaimed pacifist. The latter, meaning returning to one's core, refers to today's intuitive archery. It's about being in the moment, connecting with oneself, nature, and the divine, and consciously training the subconscious (95% of the time we operate through the subconscious!). An essential game changer in our fast-paced world, influenced by Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and endless possibilities. We humans are almost constantly surrounded by sweet and multifaceted distractions; the monkey mind enjoys leadership and every bit of space it can get. Concentration becomes the victim. Everything is possible, almost around the clock. Pausing for a moment is becoming a luxury of the modern age. Unlike in the Stone Age, when nature determined the rhythm of life, we often allow ourselves to be guided through life by digital calendars. Understandably, because our topics have changed considerably over the past 2,5 million years. This makes places like the one Peter Berhorst created more than XNUMX years ago all the more valuable.   

Family matter

Straw targets in workshop with wooden bows
© Julia Petersen

He was originally inspired by his father. He was also a passionate bow maker and gave him the idea for the Youksakka Fun & Bow Company, complete with online shop. A pioneer of his time, considering that Peter was still in school at the time of the idea and the internet was new, indeed revolutionary, for this world. And how did the name come about? "Youksakka is a Sami goddess. She represents prosperity, nourishment, and a good hunt. A friend of my father, an archaeologist, found the symbol of today's logo on a shamanic drum," says Peter. 
But how did the Hesse native end up moving from Hanau to the North Sea island of Sylt? "I originally wanted to be a Michelin-starred chef, which is why I came here in 1999." After several years in the restaurant industry, from stints at Osteria to Strandhörn, the passionate surfer headed for the beach. This was followed by a few seasons as a lifeguard; he really enjoyed the job, but didn't see any real fulfillment in the long run. He reflected and introspected. "Either I go to Australia and do the job again at a different level, or I start my archery project," was his conclusion. His uncle had already built a successful business around archery in his old homeland, so the decision wasn't difficult for Peter. The rest is history, a family affair (even his cousin is on board), and an absolute asset to the island. 

Connect through conscious communication

Man with cap in workshop with bow accessories
© Julia Petersen

"Our archery is cross-generational, starting at the age of six. It's basically for anyone who's interested, even without talent." This is something the Berhorsts care about. No one has to be able to do anything or prove anything. It's more about intuition and letting go. Something that many participants find difficult. "Pulling the bow apart and then letting go accordingly and feeling the energy takes some effort. But it's also wonderful to observe how blockages can be released in these moments of letting go. Teenagers shine with pride when they hit something, women regain their strength, and men also get to know each other in a whole new way during the bow-making workshops," Christine says, giving insights into the valuable work. "Our goal is for every Sylt child to have been here at least once. That's why we recently started a collaboration with a primary school, which is naturally open to growth. We also offer appropriate courses and events for companies and teams," says Christine. Originally from Hesse, she settled on Sylt 12 years ago and takes care of administration and marketing at Youksakka. A perfect symbiosis that has grown and flourished over the years.

Meanwhile, following Peter's briefing, the three women have moved from the beginners' practice area to the larger field. Standing next to them are two kids, Max and Anton. Both are already quite skilled, have internalized the procedures with sensitivity, and wait patiently until everyone is finished shooting, so they can then collect their arrows together. Those are the rules. Pay attention to each other and wait. Meanwhile, Peter addresses the women: "Don't think about it, just enjoy."

Text: Julia Petersen

Interested in trying intuitive archery or even building your own bow? The Youksakka team offers various courses, which you can discover here: