"Night shows us what we are a part of and day what we have to work with."~Michael Stenson~

Sara & Michael Stenson's study of Yang style T'ai Chi Form, Animal Forms, Eight Ways, Sword, Push Hands and Ta Lu began over thirty years ago. They have studied with Grand Master Cheng Man-ch'ing's senior students and have taught T'ai Chi at Rocky Mountain T'ai Chi Ch'uan at Fort Collins, Boulder & Golden Colorado, Naropa Institute, Puget Sound T'ai Chi Ch'uan in Seattle and at the 1997 Dalai Lama's Conference on Education. They have also taught the Eight Ways Fall Prevention program to seniors in the Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions.

Sara grew up riding fence and herding cattle on a ranch in eastern Wyoming. She studies dressage on her warmblood, Volante, and is starting her Andelusian/Thoroughbred, Navalito. With over twenty five years of experience as a Shiatsu massage therapist for riders and horses, Sara brings to this work an understanding of anatomy, body mechanics, physiology and principles of movement that enable her to put the body/mind connection into concrete and practical terms.

Michael's abiding interests in horses and eastern philosophy have led him to characterize himself as a Taoboy. He loves to ride his appaloosa, Sage and attends horsemanship clinics whenever possible. Michael has taught interpersonal communication, organization development and other adult education classes since the late 60s and is working on a couple of books currently titled How To Manage A Hired Hand and Ox Herding In America

The approach...

Affinity - An axiom of nature is that all success depends upon the effect of mutual attraction. Sun and earth attract each other and all creatures come into being. Through attraction we influence not mere behavior, but the nature of all things. Making it easy for horses and students to do the right thing by showing them where and how to relax is the cornerstone for all of the work. When working a horse, you must first rid yourself of preconceptions and expectations, timelines and goals, and let the character of the horse reveal itself. Then you will establish contact, understand and be granted influence. The same accepting patience is needed in working with one's self.

Discipline - A bell struck with a pebble makes a small sound, but struck with a mallet a big sound. The discipline of daily practice is what makes the difference between lasting effects and mere dabbling. Just as horses require a consistent, organized, firmly integrated approach, so too the wild horses of the mind can be tamed only by regular practice. The daily practice is both a teaching and calibrating tool - it cultivates the qualities and principles of the work and keeps us grounded with the feedback that can come only from experience. A gentle, unwavering endeavor to attain the goal is the key.

To Contact Us:
Prairie Winds
16007 NCR 7
Wellington, Colorado 80549