Clinics help riders cultivate timing, balance and feel within their own bodies
so that they are better able to sense and influence these elements within their horse.
T'ai Chi and quality horsemanship
work on many of the same principles and abilities. Horsemen want their mounts to be
balanced, supple, light, alert and attentive and their own bodies must also be vital and nimble.
Riders strive to make the unity between the two bodies free of hard lines of resistance
-- a supple rider on a supple horse.
Frequently, however, the obstacle to getting these qualities out of the horse is the
rider's inability to manifest them within their own bodies. The more riders do to make
themselves sensitive, responsive and agile the more able they will be to get these
qualities in their horse.
Relaxing, staying centered in the movements, directing energy with the hips,
listening and sensing energeticly with the entire body, separating the substantial
(yang) from the insubstantial (yin) are the kinesthetic principles of both T'ai Chi and riding.
T'ai Chi For Horsemen classes and clinics are designed to enhance riding skills
-- groundwork for the rider. Students learn the five T'ai Chi principles of movement
by studying Animal Forms. Awareness of the body/mind connection grows with practice
and communication between horse and rider is greatly enhanced as the principles are embodied.
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Explaination of T'ai Chi principles applied to riding