The clinic has been over for a week and I have not stopped telling my family, friends, co-workers what a great time I had! And, best of all, I am now a real CENTERED RIDING instructor! I am so proud and pleased to be a part of a great organization. I met some fantastic people who I hope to keep in touch with and gained great insight into the body I live, work and play in thanks to the awesome work by Robyn Avalon through her "Living in a Body Course". Just before we finished our week, I asked Robyn to help me with my position when bending to trim horses. It took her exactly 3 seconds to see the problem-like so many people, I bend at the waist, not at the hips. I lead with my "chin head" and I collapse my upper body. In short, I do not use my skeleton for support and limit the mobility of my arms which are absolutely necessary to be an effective, efficient trimmer. My low back had been hurting as I strained to use muscles that were not intended to hold up my torso. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!! Already, my trimming technique has improved and I've been able to work on the horses longer with no pain.
Robyn was also able to spend time with the whole group giving us each individual lessons on horseback in which we could use our new found awareness to help better utilize our body the way nature designed. My particular issue was with my hips and the following seat, trying to create a better contact with my lower legs, as well as improving my grounding with equal weight on my feet. Just by reminding me to use my "dinosaur tail" and letting my hips flex at the correct position (our hips, as it turns out, are not where our mother showed us they were, at the top of our pelvis, where they would rest their fists, right about the time they were about to call our names loudly when we misbehaved)she was able to create a more relaxed, balanced position that matched the hip movement in my horse; it was not forced or uncomfortable for either of us. Wonderful! Robyn worked with several other riders and not one of them walked away without feeling as if they'd benefited tremendously from her help. All of us experienced a profound change in the way our "body map" was now laid out in our minds.
In addition to Robyn's brilliant help, we were again able to gain incredible insight into CENTERED RIDING through the expert guidance of Level IV instructor Dawn Ruthven. She worked with everyone with patience and respect, allowing us to show our best face during the final phase of the instructor's clinic. When it was all over, we were able to each receive our "orange book", the place where each instructor keeps record of her continuing education while teaching others. It was like receiving my diploma for school-a proud moment, a dream realized.
To the students who came and offered tobe a part our clinic, thank you so much. To the instructors from far and wide who came to participate and share their experiences-I had such a great time with everyone, all of my new friends-Suzan, who was kind enough to give Chanty and I a ride to the clinic and back and who allowed me to share my trimming insights with her. Michelle, who gave me a ride to the clinics from the motel and brought me breakfast, and shared her insight into the work of Feldenkrais. Kathy, who shared her knowledge of riding and the Alexander technique to literally "lift" me in the morning when she saw me slouching in my old body. Rosey, whose youth and enthusiasm for teaching reminded me why I got into horses in the first place. Katie, whose generosity and hard work made it possible for all of us to meet and share in all of the good feelings while learning about ourselves and our horse. Love you K.T.
And ,Dawn, who is my hero-I will aspire to remain as young and energetic at 60, 70, 80 and 90 because I see how it can be done-with love, laughter and a never ending desire to learn.
Robyn, you are a miracle worker! With simple ideas and even simpler techniques, you have changed my life. I will share these things will those I meet-at work or at play. The world will be a much more balanced place to live. THANK YOU ONE AND ALL!!!! I will see you again soon.
Chanty and I are back home and in just the week since the clinic ended, so much has changed in our lives. First, for Chanty there is a chance to be ridden more comfortably by her rider, me, now that I've had the chance to work on my centered riding with some of the best instructors around. She and I worked on our slow cantering yesterday and the most important feature was the idea that she and created a beautiful canter using "shared energy". This is a concept that is so foreign to most riders, especially women.
Most of us are caregivers in some shape or form in our daily lives and so when we ride our horses, we immediately begin worrying about whether our horse is following our cues or whether they are moving out the wrong direction or are about to speed up and we need to get ready to control their every move, lest they take us where we don't want to go and at a speed that makes us nervous. In short, it becomes "all about the horse". Well, when you "share" the ride with your horse, it actually becomes more of an 80/20 proposition, with you being responsible for you, making it MORE about your needs and worry about your position and balance, relaxation while allowing the horse to be responsible for himself. If you improve yourself, you'll automatically make it more comfortable for your horse, who can then follow your cues and carry your weight with graceful, easy, effortless turns and transitions, making the whole picture beautiful and most of all FUN!!!!
So now when Chanty begins to speed up and pull on the reins, we stop and I remind her, IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU, which sets me in the right frame of mind to work on my riding . What a great concept. I am now a riding instructor, but first and foremost, I am a student of riding and as I practice my CENTERED RIDING, every day gets better and better!!!
