how would your riding change, if you were stronger and more flexible…?

…IF YOUR SEAT WAS MORE BALANCED…?

…iF YOU were MORE PRESENT AND CALM…?

Yoga is known to improve strength, balance and flexibility. These are all essential physical elements to succeed in our riding. If we lack in any of these areas we can’t follow our coach’s instructions on how to apply our aids and can’t communicate with our horse in a clear and sensitive way. This can leave us feeling vulnerable and challenged in the saddle.

Of course, generic yoga classes can help you become stronger and more supple. And they can be great fun too, especially if you go with a friend or have good rapport with your teacher.

In the (online) Yoga for riders classes I offer, I focus specifically on the areas required to improve our posture and balance in the saddle, so that we can become the rider we aspire to be.

As much as Yoga is most widely known for its physical (asana) practice, Yoga can offer so much more!

Yoga is a technology for arriving in the present moment. We all know the feeling of our mind being in a state of chaos and emotions jumping all over the place. These are not very supportive states to bring into the stables. On the other hand, we have also all had moments or “Reintegration”, when we feel present, calm and whole (and if you’re like me, some of these moments have most likely been with your horse :) ). Yoga can help us reflect inwards and become aware not only of our body, but also our thoughts and emotions. With increased awareness, we gain choice of how we want to move forward differently. We can then decide which behaviours we want to change and ultimately, design our life to be more joyfully and lived more whole-heartedly.

To find out about my current online Yoga for Riders classes, click here.

Group classes vs a Personal yoga practice

I like to compare group yoga classes to group riding lessons, in contrast to a one-on-one lesson with your longterm coach. You learn something in both and will be able to refine your skills, but if you’ve ever had an individual lesson, you’re not likely wanting to return to group lessons, right?! It’s just different having that one-on-one attention, the relationship with your coach and working on exercises that are tailored to you (and your horse).

“Teach what is inside you, not as it applies to yourself, but as it applies to the other.” T. Krishnamacharya

For centuries, yoga has been taught one-on-one, applying the ancient wisdom of yoga to the unique condition of each student, their needs and capabilities. By creating a tailored asana practice specifically for you, you will be able to work on exactly the areas that are most crucial to take the leap in your riding you are aiming for.

I work with riders to develop their ideal position in the saddle and support in refining their ability to influence their horse effectively and effortlessly.

it’s all in the breath!

When asked “What style of yoga do you teach”, my answer is: “Breath-centred yoga”. The traditional yoga that I have been taught, regards the breath as an integral part of the yoga practice. It is the tool we use to unite our body and mind. This connection is not on an imaginary level, but can be felt as an actual and tangible experience.

“The purpose of asana in classical yoga is not just physical fitness. The ultimate goal is to change one's inner self and relationship to the world.” A.G. Mohan

By regularly moving slowly with your inhale and exhale through a sequence of poses, you become more intimate with how your body expresses itself in those forms. You hone your ability to turn your focus inward rather than being engrossed in the world around you and cultivate self-awareness of your physical body, as well as your mind and emotional states.

BUt wait, there’s more…

In the western world, yoga is often reduced to its physical asana practice, neglecting its holistic approach to living a healthy and fulfilling life.

Many people are drawn to yoga by the asana practice, and that is a great starting point. I believe, there is a lot more benefit that we can gain from yoga, if we look at it as the holistic system that it is.

Yoga philosophy (yamas and niyamas), breathing practices (pranayama), meditation and deep relaxation are other areas of yoga, based on the eight limbs of Patanjali’s yoga sutras, that I bring into my work with clients.

What you can gain from a personal yoga practice: