Preface
Introduction: The yoga/horsemanship connection I am often asked, “What does yoga have to do with horsemanship.” The answer is, “A lot!”, which I hope to articulate throughout these pages. A first glance, it seems obvious how yoga can help riders. In fact, several books have been written about the use of yoga postures to support equestrians — through increased flexibility, strength and balance — and this is a valid application, which will be covered here as well. However, as a long-time yogini (a woman dedicated to yoga tradition) and equine enthusiast, I am here to tell you that’s just the tip of the iceberg! I plan to take you on a journey to a deeper meaning of yoga and how it can apply to horsemanship (and life) in ways you may have never considered. The dedicated practice of true yoga can become part of oneself, enriching living on many levels. Embodying and applying the teachings lead to a more skilled, fulfilled life. We become awake! --more conscious; senses heightened; mind sharper; and an overall integration and balancing of body, mind, spirit. For me, the yogic path has created a keen awareness, not only on the yoga mat, but off as well. The word yoga means to yoke or unite. When united, we are more aware beings. Aware of what, one might say? Well…everything! • Body: Sensations; how to better care for the body; knowing where tensions are stored; accepting the body; working from where the body is today. • Breathing: Patterns; proper breathing; breath as a tool to energize and oxygenate; breathing through challenges; breath to offset negative emotions; to help refine the nervous system; using breath as a focal point. • Energy: Awareness of life-force energy/Prana, which flows through each of us, enabling us to live and animate. Energy of creation; detecting energy; feeling/sensing when energy shifts. • Mind/Thoughts: Observing the workings of the mind; seeing where thoughts come from (i.e. conditioning, product of environment, borrowed opinions, fear, ego, soul contentment etc.); understanding that we are not our thoughts; Learning to observe the mind/thoughts and who’s noticing. • Intuition: Listening to the inner voice, which always speaks to us. Improving our intuitive skills. • Truth: An understanding of the truth of our existence, our purpose, what our own truth is/means; Extrapolating universal truth. • Right thought/Right action: Comes spontaneously when we are clear and integrated in the body, mind and spirit. • Interconnectedness; Breaking through the illusion of separateness; experiencing union; union with all aspects of ourselves, union with higher power (however you like to define that term); union with all of creation, other humans, animals and nature. These are some of the many benefits of being on the yogic path. A good horseman of any discipline might say these are beneficial skills when interacting with horses as well. In fact, this is likely not new information to a true horse person—they are usually aware of these concepts and how they tie into working with horses. When I share these teachings with experienced equestrians it is not uncommon for them to say, “That’s what I’ve been doing, I just never thought of it in that way!” Or, “I never really made the connection with yoga.” It may be that I am just presenting this in a new way, with new words/language. I believe that horse whisperers — adept natural horsemen — are yogis! They may not even be aware that much of what they do in horsemanship is yogic in essence. Yogis read body language, energy, pauses, expressions, actions, reactions, and act on it. They operate from a place of inner knowing and intuition. I think you’ll agree that a horse whisperer embodies these same abilities. When we mindfully and deliberately integrate the principles (not just the postures) of yoga into our horsemanship, the effects are pronounced, profound and beneficial. Not only does our relationship with ourselves and our horse improve, but we begin applying these principles to all arenas of life, including our interactions with fellow humans and in life situations. My passions are horsemanship, yoga and travel and I’m thrilled to combine them in the programs I teach and this book. Years ago, in my own horsemanship, I noticed I was naturally applying yogic principles, such as body, breath mind, energy and intuitive awareness. Eventually, this led to birth of my Body, Mind, Equine program, helping others to see this connection in a well-articulated, succinct and experiential way. I began to make a clear association, when I noticed that the energy or mood that I brought to the barn had a direct impact on my interactions with the horses. It affected the general flow of our relations and the outcome of our training or ride on that particular day. When I was in a “good space,” mentally, emotionally, energetically, our time together was focused, productive and pleasant. The horses were clearly enjoying themselves, and content to share space with me. This showed in their relaxed body language and attention. They were willing to partner with me (and as a horse person you know how good that feels!). On the flip side, if I was rushed loading them into the trailer—feeling angry, frustrated, scattered, grooming /tacking up in a hurry— the horses clearly enjoyed it less than when we took more generous, centered and mindful time. They seemed to sense my energy, and of course they did, as they are highly in-tune beings. The entire ride, event, training or exercises had a tone or energy of rushing through; a bit scattered and no one was really enjoying themselves or fully present. We were not our best selves on those days. The horses seemed to have more attitude and be less willing partners. Obviously, they were mirroring my own energy back to me: rushed, frustrated, too task oriented. Maybe on some level, my horses did not even want to be around me when I was like that. But who would? We don’t enjoy being around people who are impatient, angry, scattered, or nervous. We can “feel” it. We know what centeredness feels like, and we surely know what off-center feels like. I trust that many of you reading this book have likely had a similar experience at some point, while interacting with your equine partners. I have come to learn through my own yoga and relationship with horses that much of what I do on the mat is really what I’m doing in my horsemanship, from ground to saddle. I am not here to help you train your horse or to give riding instruction (there are far more qualified people to help you with that) but rather, to impart a more aware and conscious approach to yoga, horsemanship and life through the use of a yogic methodology. I am here to help you to train yourself to be a more skilled human being with these insights. While reading this book, I hope that you will be able see how these ideas and principles can apply to everything, from interactions with people, other animals and in life situations. In the following chapters, I will break down what I call “the parallels” of these two practices. I believe that when paired, they can make for a richer yoga&equine experience, which is a win/win for you and your equine partner.