Satori Stables & Center

Today as I was toodling along on Missy, I realized that in our right turns, actually, any right bend thing, my high hip was popping out to the left -- instead of keeping a column on the left, it's like it bowed out to the left. Well - duh -- this was why my right side was caving! Like my right hip would come up and my right ear would drop down.
So I reinstated a column on my left side and Missy was ever so much more appreciative!
Then with my new found awareness of my 'playful' left side, I had a closer look at what my left side was doing on Lillie. WELL. NOT the same thing! (!) On Lillie, my lower left ribcage was popping left.
Excitedly, I got that back in alignment only to find out there was some weirdness in the area behind her right shoulder. (different technique for that!) that fixed, now my sitbones were sliding to the right. then ... ok ... I've lost track of what we did. It was a journey!
In the end I had to be very careful the column on the left stayed a column and my sitbones stayed 'parallel' to the ground. She was very wiggly. And, having an idea of what I can bring to the mix, I feel like we can expect more great things.

Welp. Facebook has changed something. things that used to post no longer do.

If you can, here's some stuff from a few years ago that's fun to play with. You can see how your horse responds to it!

satoriconnections.com/OLT/Sounds/day1.htm

satoriconnections.com/OLT/Sounds/day2.htm

satoriconnections.com/OLT/Sounds/day3.htm

satoriconnections.com

Okay, this is a little nerdy! crib sheet: it's for the 2nd of the 4 CR basics: Breathing, and it's a Feldenkrais approach to settle your pelvis into the best position for breathing.
Even my crib sheets are encyclopedias!
For hands on experiences, contact me!
Or, Open Clinic in May!

Tick-tock Education and Coaching for Horses and People For appointment: 512.869.7903 (Leave a message with your name, #, & interest!)

It's Spring time! New beginnings. Time for a fresh start.
How about increasing your level of calm?
The 1st of the Four Basics in Centered Riding is 'Soft Eyes.' The 2nd basic is 'Deep Breath.' And neatly, both of these engender calm and can be accessed through a physically balanced head.

This is one of the first topics in an Open Centered Riding Clinic.
If you'd like some hands on guidance, I'll be teaching an Open Clinic May 22-24.
It'll be Friday afternoon (groundwork and ride,) Saturday, (groundwork, ride, groundwork,) Sunday 'til noon (groundwork and ride.) Groundwork is experiential and is where teaching is done so you have fluency with the concepts before riding. So while you're on the horse 3 times, you're learning the entire time.

The Blue Ball Right smack dab in the middle of the head is a balance point.  If awareness is placed there, some fun things happen, things like

The first of the 4 Basics in Centered Riding is Soft Eyes. The second is deep breathing. These two together allow you to tap into the parasympathetic relaxation/releasing/'hyper' awareness mode. ie Calm Brain, Supple Body, etc.
These two elements can be achieved through physically balancing the head.
As you can guess, since these are the first and second of the 4 Basics, these are some of the first things I'll be covering in the CR Open Clinic this May. Currently, plans are May 22-25.

Ferris Wheel One of the ways to find the balance point for the head is to tip the nose up a little and then down a little.  When you do this slowly, you can monitor whether or not the head is balanced.  Wherever you start, you can determine if up is better or if down is better, or maybe halfway between the up...

Generally, Centered Riding is about how the rider uses their body to model for the horse how to use its body. The rider communicates with their body through imagery, feel, even sound as these are non-lingual and communicate without 'noise.'
The desired result is to arrive at what is classically correct; it's just the route for getting there is not through words and left brain thinking.
Since having a hip issue, I've been really exploring the legs. This imagery is one that has been helpful for me. Let me know if it's useful for you!
(and stay tuned about an Open Clinic. probably mid-May)

Borrowing from Hockey Education and Coaching for Horses and People For appointment: 512.869.7903 (Leave a message with your name, #, & interest!)

Hi all! I know I've been a bit MIA. Here's to a new year and getting 'back in the saddle.'
My plans are to have a couple Centered Riding Open Clinics.
I am a Level III Centered Riding Clinician and got my original coaching from Sally Swift herself. I prefer to teach in the manner she taught. I like to set up the experiment and then have the rider 'play' with their options. This way it's not just words. It's not me coaching from the rail. It's you connecting the concept with what you and your horse are doing.
Centered Riding is based on Alexander Technique. We also pull in a lot of Feldenkrais and I've personally pursued several other techniques that are great for both riders and horses. These apply to all disciplines. So English, Western. Pleasure, even Driving.
When would you like to have a clinic? Tell me some dates!
I think May and Sep are very nice weather months.

In the meantime, here's a blast from the past. It's a page from my workbook:

Let me know if this pic makes it a little easier to understand!

Centering: Inviting Your Mount to Reorganize Education and Coaching for Horses and People For appointment: 512.869.7903 (Leave a message with your name, #, & interest!)

Is anyone still squeezing with their knees?

Quick Tip Tuesday: Ixnay on 'Squeeze the Knees' Education and Coaching for Horses and People For appointment: 512.869.7903 (Leave a message with your name, #, & interest!)

Things I think about! How is it for you?

Quick Tip Tuesday: Sitting or Standing? What are we really doing? Education and Coaching for Horses and People For appointment: 512.869.7903 (Leave a message with your name, #, & interest!)

Pictures borrowed from a video clip I linked in!

Breathing to Dismount Education and Coaching for Horses and People For appointment: 512.869.7903 (Leave a message with your name, #, & interest!)

Continuing my thoughts on 'legs.'

Borrowing from Skiing Education and Coaching for Horses and People For appointment: 512.869.7903 (Leave a message with your name, #, & interest!)