We recently hosted our first Yoga on Horseback workshop here at Dover Stables and it was amazing, both challenging and fulfilling! You may be wondering what is Yoga on Horseback anyway and what is so great about it?
First, a little background. As a dressage instructor, I am constantly working on body awareness, strength, and flexibility both for myself and my students. As a means to develop a correct position in the saddle I was already having my students perform basic seated yoga poses while on the back of a horse such as seated mountain and seated twists. These poses help the rider find their balance on top of the moving horse and help develop correct posture and balance. Practicing yoga has so many benefits for riders including:
- Reduced stress levels
- Improved balance
- Increased strength and flexibility
- Improved self awareness of body, mind, and spirit
- Increased energy
- More positive mindset
I love practicing yoga as cross training for my riding.
About a year and a half ago I attended a yoga class with Jessie Vyvyan of Chi, Trees, and Oils and we immediately connected. Jessie was very interested in learning more about the work we do with the horses and so I convinced her to come out and try a few simple yoga poses while sitting on a horse. Jessie was hooked and we have since been developing our Yoga on Horseback program to include both basic and more advanced poses.
The benefits that we have seen are remarkable. For riders, doing yoga is a great way to increase body awareness, balance, strength, and suppleness, all things which are essential to being an effective rider. The breath work involved in yoga is also important for riders to learn, as proper breathing allows you to use your body more effectively and also helps to eliminate tension. Being able to perform even basic yoga poses on a horse dramatically increases a riders confindence and teaches them to relax and have fun with riding.
For yogis, working with horses provides a unique challenge as the balance needed on a horse is very different from that on the ground. Many of the poses work your muscles in different ways than they would on the ground. Yoga on Horseback gives the yogi a way of connecting with another living creature as you work to connect your body, breathe work, and energy to that of the horse. The connection that is developed between horse and yogi is powerful and brings a deep sense of peace.
And of course there is the feeling of accomplishment and pride that occurs, for both riders and yogis, when you are able to work through poses that challenge you both physically and mentally as you overcome doubts and realize how much your body can do for you.
The best part is that everybody can accomplish something. Poses are as basic as seated mountain, seated child’s pose, and seated twists. These are great for people who are new to horses or may have confindence issues to work through. From there you can try out spinal balance, cobra, kneeling mountain and bridge. And for those looking for a greater challenge there are poses such standing mountain, chair, downward dog, and headstand to try out. The possibilities are limitless as your confindence and abilities develop new poses will continue to help you grow.
Both yoga and horseback riding are beautiful works of art and when combined they create an incredible experience for both participants and those viewing it. Taking the art of yoga and adding the majesty of the horse seems only natural and the connection created is very special.
It is important to note that the horses used for our Yoga on Horseback program are specially trained to be tolerant to the various movements of the rider as well as fit enough to be able to support the rider through the different poses. That being said do not try this at home on a horse not trained for this. Injury to both rider and horse can occur if not done correctly.
Interested in giving it a try for yourself? We will be offering workshops again in the future and are now offering private Yoga on Horseback lessons at Dover Stables in Waterford, WI. No horse or yoga experience is necessary. We’d love to share with you the beauty, grace, and power of Yoga on Horseback.
