We are on a Journey

I am reminded that we are all on a Journey. The Journey is ever revolving into a life that we could never have imagined, but we can imagine it now, if we let it be. I have made changes in my life with horses, from how I act around them to how I teach. I am continually making changes to be the best person that I can be.

My Journey into Centered Riding has changed my whole life, from how I think, to how I feel, and to how I respond. I’m searching for that place in the universe where I am meant to be. I’m searching for something inside me that brings out the best in me. I’m searching for the gifts of knowledge and patience and empathy. I’m searching for the power to teach in an understanding way and to give the rider and the horse exactly what they need. I’m searching for the “how.”

I’m searching for what is the best for me. But I’m also searching for what is best for me, AND my best buddy, Tom. I want what is best for the two of us. I want what is best for my children, and now my grandchildren. I want a life, rooted by the Centered Riding philosophies. Centering can be part of your life, bringing out the how and the who, by bringing out the best in you.

I feel an overwhelming need to get this right. And to pass it along. I want others to have this centering and this feeling, and to develop this bond, not only with their horses, but within their life. I want them to find that feeling, deep down in their core, where they are right with the world.

I’m starting to feel that the person needs to find what they need, and to work on that. When the rider has discovered what is the most important parts of their life or of their riding to work on, then they find that special peace. We may always be working on that area of our life or our riding, but pinpointing what it is, understanding it, and knowing that we are working on developing it, brings a sense of relief, and a sense of peace. Maybe that’s where to start… think about what you need and start there. Fulfill that need first, to be able to move on. Care for yourself before you can care for others. Understand what you need in your own riding. Give yourself time to develop into what you need, both from yourself and from your horse.

I feel very spiritual today. I feel that God is not only in my life, but within and wrapped around me. I need Him to show me the way that is best for me. For my family. For and with horses. If I follow God’s plan, then that is what is meant for my life. His way has to be the best for me. He will show me how to respond to horses. He will show me how to teach to each individual. He will guide me in my Journey.

What Journey are you on and how has your journey changed your life? Maybe you haven’t thought about this before, and maybe you can be aware of where your journey is heading.

A special prayer goes out to a very special person, who needs to find that special place within her that she is searching for. With all my heart and soul, I prayer that God grants her that special feeling that only she can know and understand. I prayer that she has a overwhelming sense of fulfillment and peace. Hugs.

Centered Riding Group Lesson

Saturday, May 15, 2010

I had an AWESOME Centered Riding Group Lesson today! The 3 hour group lesson had 8 wonderful riders and horses! The horses were well matched, and the riders were enthusiastic!

We began with a 45 minute session, off horses, on explaining the 4 basics, plus the 2 additional principles. I explained Soft Eyes, Breathing, Centering and Building Blocks, as well as Grounding and Clear Intent. We worked on some exercises that explain each of these principles. We paired up with a partner to practice some of the exercises on the ground.

To show the difference between Soft Eyes and Hard Eyes, I had one partner walk around the other person, first with hard eyes to show how far they can see with their peripheral vision, then with soft eyes. With soft eyes, the peripheral vision has an increase field of vision.

I talked about the diaphragm being the largest muscle in the body. As we breathe in, the lungs fill with air, pushing the diaphragm down. If we place our hand over our abdomen, we should fell it move outward as we breathe in.

I talked about the pelvic bone and how the pelvic area is like a vessel. Our center is slightly below the top of the vessel. I demonstrated with a helmet over a garbage can - I had to use the aids that I had. The center is always moving, rolling as fast or as slow as you need the horse to move.

Our body is stacked like building blocks. The blocks need to be aligned in a straight line, with a relaxed back. We did some balance exercises, demonstrating what would happen if our bodies tipped forward or backward, if our 10-15 # head tipped forward or back, or if our neck was not in that alignment.

Clear Intent is basically riding with a purpose and showing the horse that purpose. Many time, when we just go to where we are looking, that is enough clear intent for the horse to follow our aids.

Grounding is always a fun exercise. Grounding our feet continued once we are on the horse. We found our “bubbling spring”, that area on the bottom of our foot, right behind the ball of our foot, which is the wide part of our foot. When we tap on that area, we feel anything from a slight thud to a tingling sensation. We need to ride on our bubbling spring and stay grounded.

We took a short break then got on our horses and rode. I went through each of these areas and after each one was explained, the riders practiced. We started with grounding our feet and hip releases. The riders all thought that after their feet were grounded, their legs felt longer. With hip releases, some of the riders were able to get their legs underneath them. Others will need to stretch out their hip joints and work on continuing to open up their hip area to allow their leg to come back underneath them. We worked on a few exercises to relax the ankle, knee and hip joints.

The riders rode the area and focused on soft eyes and deep breathing. I had them be aware of how much more they could see, and to breathe when they started to focus on one area too long.

We worked on finding our “Neutral Pelvis” with 2 different exercises. Once we found the correct position, the riders went back out to the rail to work on trotting and the 2 point position. I had the riders remember to feel grounded, as well as working on soft eyes and breathing. Then we added in the exercise “Dancing Knees”. As the riders rode in 2 point, they were to relax each leg joint and feel the movement in each joint. Relax and "allow" the movement in their ankles, knees and hips.

Centering is about riding from your center and moving the horse from your center. As we became aware of where we should sit, we walked the horse, feeling the movement of the horse. This is the “Following Seat”. As the riders asked their horses to increase the walk through spinning the ball within their center, the horses extended the length of stride at the walk. As the horse’s stride improved, so do the ability of the rider to move with the horse’s movement.

By the end of the lesson I was beaming. The horses were more and more relaxed as the day went on. The riders were more relaxed and were able to allow their bodies to move and change.

I had such a good day. I had riders who were there to become better riders. I had horses who were happy and content. And I learned from my riders as well. They showed me how their bodies responded. They should me where they had difficulty and where I can help them. They gave me excellent feedback, as well as helpful suggestions to their own specific problems or areas that they want to change.

Centered Riding is a journey. The riders who rode today have begun this journey. That makes me so happy that I was there to help them!

“Embrace the Journey!”

Centered Riding Topic: Centering

We discussed this on my chat group, Horses Are Our Lives. You are inviting to come chat with us!

Centered Riding is about being centered. No biggie there. How do we center ourselves when we ride?

First, we find our "Neutral Pelvis". As you sit on the edge of a chair, rock your hips forward and backward. Keep rocking forward and backward, but a little less each time you rock, until you are not rocking forward or backward anymore. That is your neutral pelvis and that is where you should sit when you ride. You will be sitting on the correct part of your pelvic bones. When you are sitting in the saddle, try this exercise. Another way to find the neutral pelvis when you are on a horse, is to lift a leg to the pommel and lower it. Lift the other leg and lower it. You should be at the same point on your pelvis as when you were rocking. If you have a holder for your horse, try lifting both legs, one at a time, until they are both on the pommel, then lower them.

Also, remember to keep your back relaxed. and breathe. We will talk about the other areas of Centered Riding soon: breathing, soft eyes, building blocks, grounding, centering, and clear intent.

More on centering next week. Let's practice with finding the correct position to ride. Your body may not be used to this, so ride this way a little bit, then go back to what is comfortable. Whatever you do, remember to have fun!

Also...how do we remain centered in our life? Think about centering yourself before doing a task, if you are feeling stressed, before you go to catch and halter yourself. Practice centering yourself throughout the day this week.