James Shaw's Blog

The Key to Sitting Trot

2011-05-06T13:28:00.000-07:00

It is the goal of the rider to capture and control the power of the horse as it enters the rider's pelvis through the seat bones. This is achieved by actively controlling the 3 movements of the pelvis (left-right movement, rise and fall of each side, and the tilt of the pelvis forward and back) as well as the rotations of the femur bones and the opening and closing of the curve in the lower lumbar and sacrum.
The left-right movement redirects some of the power of the horse down into the femur bones through the knee and lower leg into the foot, forward through the arch of the foot into the stirrups then through the ball of the foot back to the horse. This flow of force has the effect of quieting the movement of the rider’s leg and keeps the heel down by relaxing the ankle and the hip joint. This relaxing is in a way completely passive as it is a result of redirecting the force out of the seat down the leg. The leg can then be used much more effectively with less muscle and more rhythmic power that has been borrowed from the horse.
The amount of force that moves up the spine is redirected by the left-right movement of the pelvis. It is as if it splits and is redirected up the spine in a double spiral. The effect is that the bounce of the trot in the rider's seat is minimized. Instead of the force and power of the horse pushing up into the spine as two strong pulses it now moves in a double spiral up and around the spine. Initially few riders will feel the spiral of energy up the spine; all one can feel is the deeper connection in the sit bones and the lift in the back of the horse. As the force is redirected in this way the effect on the rider's upper body is lessened, therefore the sternum is not lifted and held against the force which in turn means the head does not bounce as much and the arms and hands can be much quieter as a result ….

BHS Training Day

2011-05-04T11:00:00.001-07:00

BHS Blog Entry

It was my great honour to be invited to give a training day for the British Horse Society South West Region, in Dorchester, England on the 18th April. The day was open to BHS registered instructors as part of their Continuing Professional Development programme and was held at the very impressive Kingston Maurward Agricultural College.

I have to confess to being a little nervous as to what they would make of me! I am aware of the history of the BHS and understand it is a highly respected and important organisation in the UK. I thought they might think me an upstart from America but I was made to feel more than very welcome and I presented my work with a lecture in the morning, including some audience participation. It was great to see 55+ instructors finding out where their weight is in there feet and shoving each other to mimick the horse’s energy and see the effect on their bodies. After a short break for lunch I taught three very brave young students from the college, one at a time for about 45 minutes each. Taking the principles I had explained in the morning and applying them in the saddle. All three riders and their horses did very well and gave the audience a lot to see. It always fills me up when the horse gives unequivocal evidence that the principles work in action, when the horse visibly improves it’s way of going for all to see.

The feedback from the day was excellent. I think nearly everyone enjoyed themselves and I hope they all got something to take home with them and apply in their every day riding and teaching.

I would like to thank all of those who attended the day and special thank to Julie Garbutt who organised the event and I think perhaps ‘stuck her neck out’ and broke with tradition.

My only gripe was that I didn’t see enough of Dorset. How beautiful it looked and I could smell the sea!! I would dearly love to return here to teach and have more time to explore the coast line and may be even catch a wave!!

Camelot fun-raiser clinic

2011-01-28T14:14:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all who made our 4th annual fundraiser at Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship a great success. It was a day full of life, love, and laughter and healing. From Grand Prix Dressage riders to beginner western riders to disabled riders we all found a common ground. The common ground was our miraculous human body.
On the ground and in the saddle the riders learned ‘how to’ tap into that deeper part of the mind in which feel and sensitivity are developed. Using that heightened sense of feel ever one discovered how to move effectively, use and control their seat. This new awareness and control allowed them to manage their weight aids and balance to effortlessly influence the horse’s movement.
The most beautiful thing to me was to be a part of the amazingly deep connection all achieved with their horses.
By applying principles and techniques borrowed from Tai Chi the participants had the unique opportunity to see that the very same techniques of balance, sensitivity and control allowed the students with limited or no use of their arms to turn and bend their horse with some connection and precision as the most experiences and capable riders. To learn more about these techniques have a look at my YouTube page.

Oklahoma Dressage clinic

2010-11-03T11:05:00.000-07:00

HI
We all had an amazing weekend in Claremore OK working on and discovering the absolute genius of the human pelvis as it applies to capturing and controlling the movement of the horse, with out force ( over use of muscle). The key is in the balanced nearly unseen turning of pelvis into or away from the rising seat bone. Have a look on my Face Book group 'Ride from Within' at James Russell Shaw to see video of this weekends rides.
see ya there
james

discovering their center

2010-10-25T07:39:00.000-07:00

The Whole Seat & Nothing but the Seat!

2010-09-02T13:07:00.000-07:00

International clinician, James Shaw, gave a unique clinic in Yelm, Washington, August 28 & 29, 2010. James utilizes ground work (unmounted) for the riders to show them how to utilize their bodies to receive and redirect the larger power of the horse without blocking or diminishing it.
Every participant was astonished during the mounted sessions at how easy and comfortable it was for themselves and their horses to redirect the horse's power to shape his motion and as a consequence shape his physical body. Horses became round and through from the hindquarters forward and lightened their forehands with free shoulders and full, soft necks. Riders sat deeper than they ever had before with ease.
James taught that the pelvis actually must move in three directions to follow the movement of the horse's lumbar spine and pelvis. Most riders move in one direction and a few move in two directions, thereby accommodating the rise and fall of the horse's back. When the third direction is added, the horse's pelvic rotation is accommodated allowing the total power of the hindquarters to come through, lifting the horse's back and filling the base of the neck. Once the rider has this skill, he/she is able to effect changes in the horse's frame, carriage and power by either following, matching or leading the movement
These movements are so subtle that onlookers only see the rider sitting deeply and the horse doing amazing things on his own.
These movements are so subtle that onlookers only see the rider sitting deeply and the horse doing amazing things on his own.
James Shaw does clinics in the US, Germany, England, Switzerland, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and others. See http://www.shawtaichi.com/ or his blog http://www.shawridefromwithin.blogspot.com/

For information on his next clinic in WA, contact Sue Connors at susanc@lugosoft.net

Looking Forward to the UK in September!

2010-08-25T18:20:00.000-07:00

Hi James, just a quick note to say I continue to be thrilled by the improvement both in my own balance and movement and in the ridden work. I am finding that it is much easier to feel into my body for my contribution to the problem - for instance, my horse was feeling rather hard and unyielding in my left hand, and I could feel that my left Chi Whoey was closed, and allowing it ot soften allowed my horse to soften too.
And on the ground, I feel much lighter in my movement, it is noticeably easier to stand from sitting, and in doing the exercises I now find that my neck turns are coming from midway down my thoracic spine and lifting the chin I can feel the stretch right down the centre of my abdomen. So it's all good! Looking forward to your visit in September.
Kind regards,
Julie P

Hannah from Yorkshire and her Big Trot!

2010-08-05T11:13:00.000-07:00

Great course with James Shaw James Shaw's Tai Chi riding techniques have proved themselves yet again!

We had a fantastic course with him in July, getting deeper into how our body influences our horse. This can be both positively or negatively!

My big breakthrough this trip was getting the key to sitting a big trot, something I've been struggling with for a while! It's taken a lot of work to get here, but when I managed to get all the pieces together (it's all in the bellybutton!) sitting Toby's bigger trot was easy! I had an hour and half lesson from James yesterday, nearly all of it in trot and canter and none of it with stirrups! I don't know another method that enables you to get this easily and pain-free for both horse and rider. Seriously, check it out! http://www.shawtaichi.com/

And the good news is he's back in September teaching courses all over the UK, so click here to find out more and when he's near you!

Hannah, Hannah Dawson Equine
Check out her webpage--Click Here!

Neurofeedback &Tai Chi for Equestrians in Tennessee!

2010-06-28T16:45:00.000-07:00

Hello James,

     Wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your clinic and how incredibly useful it was for every aspect of my riding and my personal/professional life.
     Not only am I a psychologist, but I specialize in Neurofeedback Therapy. Essentially, I am able to monitor the brain activity and provide visual/auditory information and help my patients (as well as myself) regulate their brain activity inorder to achieve greater balance, harmony, and health in their lives. I experimented a bit on myself today with some of your "balancing" exercises and monitoring the sensori-motor strip as well as the occiptal lobe. I was able to recieve visual verification of the proper regulation as well as the internal sensory awareness of proper balance. Awesome! I plan to also take a look at the cerebellum (monitored at the inion) and see what happens when providing the feedback during the standing meditation exercises. I am playing with these ideas and will let you know what I find.
     I hope you have a wonderful respite in Montana and I am sure you will enjoy yourself at Aimee's. I am very grateful for the work you are doing.
Best regards,

Catherine (the great)

Testimonial from Switzerland!

2010-06-17T14:48:00.000-07:00

Testimonial by Nicole Giger, classical dressage instructor in Switzerland and Portugal:
"Just a day after my first Tai Chi and Riding-course with James in Switzerland, I implemented some of the exercises in the lessons I give and my students improved their riding immediately. What my students and I enjoyed most: to see and feel how much the horses relaxed and apparently improved their rhythm/cadence. The Key element for the rider is to keep attention to his breath and to feel how sensitive the horse is to it. You can learn as much technique as you wish but at the end good riding is all about feeling. I was very pleased to get enough time during the lessons to figure out which elements and exercises I want to add to my own classical schooling and the one of my students. Tai Chi is not a new technique for riding,
Tai Chi just helps to feel your body better, so you can get a better rider, who is balanced enough not to disturb the natural balance of the horse anymore!"
Best regards, look forward to meet you again.
Nicole

New Lesson Uploads on YouTube!

2010-06-06T12:58:00.000-07:00

Go to YouTube and look up JamesRShaw1111 Channel for my latest uploads!

Help with Riding & Plantar Fasciitis in one Clinic!

2010-05-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

Hi James
I hope that you are doing well! Since your last clinic (my third), I have made amazing strides!!!! As you know, my horse is very spooky and easily startled. (Although you have never met him, I talk about him enough!) So anyways, I made a decision to go back to the basics. So, to the unenlightened eye, it looks like all I do is walk and trot! However, being able to trail ride and ride outside without it being a roller coaster ride is amazing!!! We even encountered bicyclists-and I didn't die!!!lol Anyways Thanks!
Ok, so now on to my other breakthrough. I work in a very busy and demanding Orthopaedic Office. I am an X-Ray tech and we all work 10 hour days with a half hour lunch break. All of us have had bouts with plantar fasciitis. It is a painful disease of the ligaments in the arch of the foot. There is a standard course of treatment, but non of my coworkers experienced any long term relief. I started teaching them about Standing Meditation and how to walk (the James Shaw Way) and ALL of us have had at least a change for the better. Some of us, like myself, have had complete resolution! I swear it was from the changes that I learned at one of your clinics! Thanks so much. Looking forward to working with you again soon!
Deb, NH

Two Great New Clinics in Washington!

2010-04-05T13:21:00.000-07:00

I had the great pleasure of two new clinics in Washington this March. Both venues were beautiful and the people warm and open to learning a new way to connect with their body, mind and spirit AND their horses!

I'd like to offer thanks to all who attended the clinics as full participants, groundwork students or auditors. A special thanks to organizers and hosts:

At the Whidbey Equestrian Center I'd like to give special thanks Sharon and Lisa for all the arrangements they made and for making me feel comfortable and welcome!

At the Eros Bordeaux Stables Clinic I'd like to give special
thanks to Joyce and Charlene for all their hard work and for making my job a pleasure!
I look forward to returning to both of these groups to see the progress that's been made! Don't forget about my clinic on May 21-23 in Yelm, WA. I hope to see you there!
James

My New Awareness!

2010-03-22T21:20:00.000-07:00

Hi James
I wanted to share my new awareness with you!
I was walking my dogs this morning and really felt for the feel of using my bones. It had lightly snowed the night before, so I had a fantastic view of my foot fall. I was working in the pedaling mode and feeling of my bone while I started opening my gates. By the time I got to the final gate my whole body was in flow, light and soft. I paused and looked behind and my foot fall in the snow was the best I have ever produced. Instead of doing just the movement and opening up the feel really opened the gates
I continued with this feel easily and now I am working on imagining the horse underneath. Wow, thanks for this new awareness.
Sincerely,
Dana

Want to Extend a Connected Trot?

2010-02-27T09:54:00.000-08:00

I find it fascinating that even with the most accomplished riders that after about 15 min (sometimes much less time) of the sitting trot their body has tightened against the movement of the gait. When this happens the rider absorbs less of the power of the trot into the body. This causes more imbalances that the rider must further brace against to manage. Returning to the walk or the rising trot has little effect on relieving the body of this tension.

It seems the most effective way to release and recover from this tightened state in the seat is to get off the horse and do 2 simple stretches:

Kiss the Toes

Place Palms on Feet

You will be amazed at the results when you are back in the saddle!

Walking Backwards--What Happens in Your Brain!

2010-02-09T09:17:00.000-08:00

Here's a response to a question about the benefits of walking backwards from Lynda.

Hi Lynda,
Walking backwards has very strong and positive effects on the brain. It expands your awareness, something I'm not sure we could measure even if we had a neuro research lab. Having said that, this is what I think, as we walk backwards we are reversing the order in which the muscles are being used and this has a powerful effect on the wiring and firing of electrical impulses in the brain via the nervous system. I also know that the neuro pathways involved in walking are some of the earliest and deeply established wiring paths. Just ask anyone over 3 years old if they have to think about walking? Nope, they just do it. Walking backwards does not use the same ingrained paths in your brain, it develops new ones. It's not that big a deal over all because it happens all the time in the brain. What is fascinating is that the new paths are created by the new movement in the body. Again no big deal except that the vision is not directly involved because we don't look back to see where we are stepping. This increases our need to use other senses. If you look at it from another angle, say the energy/chi angle, every time your foot hits the ground, toes first it opens the yuen cheun ( kidney channel) it then bares the weight of the body which in turn pushes earth chi into the meridian with every step that's cool! Because you can't or won't lean back when walking backwards your bones take on more force from gravity. This greatly increases the electrical activity in the entire bone structure, it's way better than milk for your bone health. This increased electrical activity heads straight for the brain and helps create more and new stimulation for the wiring. All of this could be easily tested if we had the equipment, and feeling better and more alive after walking backwards is all the proof I need. I hope that I have answered your question. Thanks Lynda see ya soon.
James

Sitting Trot

2009-12-26T18:44:00.000-08:00

One of the major issues I observe in riders at the sitting trot is the ability to maintain the connection of the sit bones through the entire cycle of the gait. When we loose the rhythm of the cycle of movement the body has to tighten to hold on and in a preparatory reaction to the possibility of hitting the ground. This happens whether we are asking for it or not. The movement in the rider's body looks more like a rising or posting trot than it does the sitting trot.

The movement of the body at the sitting trot should be exactly like it is at the walk. The only difference being the power and the speed in which the body is moving with the horse. The movement of the pelvis, femur bones and lower lumbar mirror that of the rider walking effectively on the ground.

Thanks Florida - What a Great First Clinic!

2009-12-04T12:53:00.000-08:00

I'm back home in sunny Arizona after a fantastic 4 days of clinic and lessons in Ocala Florida. The participants were great and Christine did a wonderful job of organizing and hosting the clinic. From the accommodations to the open minded enthusiasm of everyone, I felt right at home and welcome from the start.

We worked on becoming more aware of our breath and the many and various applications it has to riding. Along with the breath we began the process in which we receive and redirect the power of the horse through our bodies. These techniques result in nearly effortless connection with the horse.

Thanks also to Aimee - a gifted instructor and rider. It was her forward thinking that made the whole clinic possible.

I can't wait to work with this group again!

James

Don't Change Direction by Rosie McCall

2009-11-16T12:44:00.000-08:00

Bustle wobbled up the straight line across the arena, trying bravely to compensate for the blobby torso sitting on her back.
‘Don’t change direction’ she mutters to herself, giving a snort of impatience and stretching her head down to relieve the tension in her back. ‘I’ll give her don’t change direction’ and does a little jinks to the right.
‘It would help if the human learnt how to stand properly before she sat on my back’, the aggrieved mare thought to herself. ‘I can walk in a straight line but I bet she can’t’, she continued to ruminate to herself.
The blobby human vainly strived to sit in the saddle using her sit bones and keeping her pesky hips in place following the detailed instructions been given from the ground. The perfectly balanced male in the middle of the arena, looking cool and relaxed, sighed to himself and decided a little more ground work might help the blobby human.
Now then, weight on the balls of your feet, hips slightly back, ankles slightly bent, and breathe letting gravity do the work and not the muscles. Sounded easy but years of misspent standing, hip shot, leaning backwards was not to be forgotten in one lesson. How can a body sit properly in the saddle if they cannot stand properly on the ground? The importance of how the human controlled its balance and weight was emphasized. Every in balance in the human is felt by the horse. Poor horse having to spend years trying to compensate for the unbalanced human on its back.
Bustle walked calmly across the arena demonstrating a perfect straight line without this wobbly, blobby person on her back. So humiliating for the human.
Dismayed, Bustle was asked to allow the human on her back for another go. Sit bones realigned, breathing deeply into the stomach – or the posh name Dian Tian, reins loose on the neck the human was asked to smile and think Bustle forward with intent and on an inhale of breathe.
‘Hey’ Bustle thought to herself ‘now that was easy, I can do that’. Off she moved in a straight line, then felt a wobble on her back so immediately tried to compensate with a back leg moving up and round under her. ‘Not my fault I am changing direction’ she muttered to herself. The Human aware on a deeper level of her weight and her sit bones, corrected herself and put a little more weight into the offending sit bone and Bustle straightened herself up.
Bustle and the human started to move in rhythm with each other, the human’s body mimicking the flow of motion from Bustle, feeling the power of the hind leg coming up under each sit bone and allowing the sit bone to move with the leg. Bustle walked a straight line up the centre of the arena.
Bustle and human moved out into the big wide world daring to aim across a wide and large stubble field. ‘Will she hold her direction’ the human thought to herself allowing Bustle the freedom to walk at a brisk pace.
‘Oh my god’ Bustle’s head shot up, ‘is that a deer I see in the hedgerow?’ ‘Better take evasive action, you never know with these deer’. Bustle started to move in a different direction, the human shifted the weight on her sit bones, turned her sternum to line back up the way they were going and Bustle settled back down to the original direction. The slow deep breathing and the following hips of the human, relaxing Bustle. They walked across the field at a steady pace, minute adjustments to direction and speed being communicated between horse and human with soft movements of bones and breath.
‘ok’ the human thought, ‘I will aim for a downward transition and a halt’. Not being able to look and think at the same time, she closed her eyes, breathed deeply let her sit bones sink into the saddle and exhaled to a halt. Bustle obligingly came to a stop, one front foot at a time, lining them up precisely. The human overjoyed at the success opened her eyes to be confronted by a large tree and some branches in her face! Oh well, she thought ‘I did not actually tell Bustle where to stop, but to stop so guess she picked the best place for her’. Bustle added a little snack to the days efforts.

……///
Riding a horse is an ongoing conversation between horse and human.
Before we are critical of a horse changing direction, we need to check that inadvertently we are not giving him indication to do so with our bodies.
Anybody who has seen a horse gallop freely across a field will know that a horse can hold a direction without any difficulty. It is when the human element is introduced that the horse struggles to understand the conflicting messages received from hand, leg and body. The right hand says go right, the left leg pushes out, the body leans back and out, now what is the horse to make of that?

Moving Your Pelvis 3 Directions While Riding?

2009-10-05T07:30:00.000-07:00

I was reading Anatomy Trains again and, as always, inspired by the author’s insight and guts to say it how he sees it. It got me thinking about the 3 movements of the pelvis while walking. Walking is something that I have spent 1000's of hours doing and looking at in the last 10 years. Wu Style Tai Chi and my most amazing teacher Wen Mei Yu first presented me with the notion that maybe I don't really know how to walk.
Not know how to walk? I’ve been walking for decades! What was she talking about?

What she taught me was that the pelvis can move in 3 directions while walking most of us only allow ours to move in one maybe 2 directions? Picture her (a small Chinese woman in her 70’s) showing me a (man in my 30’s) to follow the expanded pelvic movement. Learning to allow my pelvis to move in this way while walking made a tremendous difference in my range of motion.

This is true for in the saddle as well as on the ground. The 3 directions of movement relate to the 3 bone structure of your seat, the femur bones the pelvis and the lower lumbar. Any restriction in one of these parts inhibits the others and equally any over use of one area causes the restriction of the others. For instance movement one in the saddle, the power of the horse should raise and drop your seat bones in a forward inclination. In the second movement the power of the horse should also pivot your pelvis from the center, (just in front of the sacrum/lumbar area) to the left/center/right. And third, the same power flowing up through the sacrum/lumbar area allows the pelvis to move balanced between the ball and socket joints of the hips, forward and backward with out ever losing the contact of the seat bones. I ‘see’ these movements in 3 dimensions as if I was inside the bowl of the pelvis( your center) looking out in all directions, from that from that reference point the 3 movements combine as one, creating a gyroscope effect in the center of the body.

These 3 movements when balanced receive and redirect the power of the horse entering into the skeletal structure of the rider. They are the foundation of all balance, timing and sensitivity. By the way Balance, Timing and Feel cannot be separated out. They are one, they stream from the same source and that source is your center--your seat.
James

Dr. Dolittle and Chief Dan George Got It Right!

2009-09-10T14:30:00.000-07:00

I was looking through Tony Stromberg's beautiful book "Spirit Horses" again the other day and read a quote from Chief Dan George:

"If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other.

If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear.

What one fears, one destroys."

I have talked before about the stressful impact fear has on our bodies and our connection to our horses. I've seen horses risk their own health to support our bad habits that we developed to keep us from falling. I know that if we talk to our horses and then listen to their responses (relaxed neck, fluid movement, etc.) we can do what is not only healthy for us, but healthy for them. When we learn to be balanced we don't fear being on our horse, we don't let fear destroy either of us.

James

Back in the UK - Did You Miss Me?

2009-09-07T10:16:00.000-07:00

September 9 - October 8!

I'm so excited to be back and see what progress has been made in the short time I've been gone and to meet some new riders at new clinics! We have several new clinics lined up so make sure you contact Rachel at http://www.naturalhorsecompany.com/ or http://www.naturalhorseshop.co.uk/ to sign up.

I won't be back again until late spring of 2010 and I hope to see all of you then!

James

Thanks for a Great Clinic in Essex!

2009-08-22T15:11:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to thank you once again for a most interesting and informative clinic.
I suppose that I was expecting there to be a lot of talk about moving 'energy' and of 'chi' - which, by the way, is fine by me too as the horses seem to respond to this type of approach too - but it is all too easy for this approach to become too 'airy fairy', as you put it.
What I was not expecting was to be more than impressed by your extensive anatomical and bio-mechanical knowledge. Being a Mechanical Engineering graduate and practising Osteopath, it takes a lot to impress me!
Likewise, with a background in Tai Chi (short Yang form - for 3 yrs some 25 yrs ago), Aikido - for the last 5 yrs, Yoga, Pilates, Qi Gong and one year of continual Alexander Technique lessons - all over a period of 30 yrs - I was amazed at the effectiveness of your Laing Gong exercises. I found myself able to access and stretch parts of my body that I had not been able to reach since an old back injury at the age of 27 - 20 yrs ago! The deceptively simple instruction to 'hollow' the lumbar spine before forward bending automatically made me - and my fellow students - forward bend by rotating the ilia about the femoral heads. This too is what Alexander is aiming for but it took me many lessons to break my of forward bending from the lumbo-sacral area. This one piece of advice produced the same elegant, pain-free mechanics!
However, the biggest revelation to me was the re-alignment exercise at the start which you called, 'Standing Meditation'. My mind reeled against the idea of an apparently 'leaning forward' posture but I was determined to keep an open mind and to accept and try these new ideas. I was grateful that your work is so rooted in practical application. I few quick physical tests of the 'heels' vs 'balls of feet' posture told me immediately that this was correct! Also, within a minute of standing in this new posture, I had the same releases that I'd experienced only after about 10 Alexander Lessons; I was breathing into the posterior and inferior aspects of my back (activating my floating ribs or 'widening the back' as F. M. Alexander put it). Some time later, I realised that your suggested posture had activated my core, pulled in by middle-age-spread of a tummy and allowed the front of my chest to expand - all with no conscious effort! It felt wonderful!
Finally, as I drove home yesterday, I had a bit of a personal revelation regarding my understanding of basic equitation. I had puzzled for ages why so many people and equitation instructors seemed obsessed with 'transitions'. Even Linda Parelli has been encouraging her L3 students to use 'a million transitions' to help them progress their 'Finesse', presumably due to her experiences with Walter Zetl. Having only been riding for about 5 yrs in total, having no goals to succeed in Dressage - and having a rather under-motivated 'been-there-seen-that-go-ahead-and-impress-me' kind of a horse (yeah! I know we should be careful about how we describe our horses - they are our mirrors, after all! Lol!) - I was having trouble seeing how I was going to present these types of exercises to Jo (my horse) when I was unclear of the purpose.
Anyway, suddenly it came to me - by following your example and applying a mechanical analysis....
It suddenly became clear to me that transitions (changes of gait) are Accelerations and Decelerations and this is where Anterior/Posterior forces are developed. It is these forces that easily cause the human to become UNbalanced and to tense and to grip!
It is one thing (not easy - but relatively easy) to sit to a regular walk or trot or even canter - ie at relatively constant velocity - but to be able to do the same whilst accelerating or decelerating is quite another! Horses can easily do all these transitions in the field, carrying only themselves, even Flying Changes etc - and it became clear to me that they could fairly easily do this with us aboard if only we could 'stay connected'; could shift our weight to match theirs; could keep our centre over their centre; could balance OUR bodies without levering against them!. In Tai Chi terms its no more then 'Pushing Hands' done with the whole body.
So....if a human is seeking to develop that type of connection; if they want to allow the horse to perform as well as they can in the field etc then staying in balance during transitions is one of the keys! The other side of the coin is that it suddenly became equally clear to me just why the average human has so many problems with their horse doing transitions! The missing key, which YOU are providing for us all is how can WE do transitions with our bodies and then, further, how can we learn to be aware enough of our own bodies so that we can organise them to follow the horse's movements.
In Parelli-land students often experience BFOs ('Blinding Flashes of the Obvious'!). Penny expressed one on Sunday morning. She suddenly a connection with something you had shown them on the Fri evening talk. Suddenly she did not just understand what you had said, she had made it her own. I think this is part and parcel of what you eloquently described as not you 'giving' the information but us actively 'taking' it. My 'transitions' is just the same. It was a BFO and, by definition, is probably 'Blindingly Obvious' to everyone else. Nonetheless it is precious to me and I want to thank you for that inspiration from the bottom of my heart : )
I am sure we will meet again, James and hopefully quite soon. As you can see, my head is bubbling over with the info you shared. I will certainly be recommended all my Natural Horsemanship friends to investigate your approach and to take a clinic with you to experience it for themselves. As I tried to express to you as I left on Sunday, your approach fits so well with a lot of my past experiences and existing knowledge that I know that your way is definitely a way in for me to better understand and further explore my horsemanship.
"When the student is ready, the Master appears."
Kind regards
Steve Miller

My First Lesson

2009-07-26T17:46:00.000-07:00

Dear James,

I just wanted to send you an e mail, after having a lesson with you the other week at Hamley hagg farm, (friend of Sues !)
I did not know quite what to expect but went into my lesson with and open mind.
I soon realised that my breathing was very random and I had no idea of when I was about to breath in and out, which I am starting to realize is AMAZINGLY important in riding.
The times I have ridden since I have to say I am starting to feel a difference all ready, I know it is very early days but when I first get on Apollo and walk him round practicing my breathing he starts taking relaxing breaths himself and I feel he is already working in a more relaxed way and maintaining it for longer, so I will try my best to keep practicing and do understand how you need to control the timing and length of your breaths for more relaxed transitions etc!
Anyway just wanted to let you know the results so far and hope you will see a difference in September.

Many thanks
Julie Gott (and Apollo!!!!!)

Relieve Tension and Impress the Judges

2009-06-23T11:18:00.000-07:00

This article identifies the two powers or forces that a rider has to constantly deal with, gravity and the physical power created by the horse. These two forces can flow through our bones usually in opposite directions at the same time. Here is an example from a recent clinic in Tehachapi, California: This FEI level rider was well aware of the force or pull in her hands from the horse's head and neck but could not get the feel of gravity flowing down the arms. When she pulled against the horses power (keeping her balance) with the muscles in the forearms and shoulders those muscles blocked the flow of gravity down the arms. This resulted in the horse not going forward freely and becoming increasingly tight in the neck and forehand, not to mention the exhaustion of the rider from holding against the power of the horse. These are NOT things we want to happen in front of the judges! When she removed the tension by balancing her bones and allowing the two forces to move freely it was a thing of beauty, something she would be proud for the judges to see!

IS THERE A CRACK IN YOUR SEAT? - Part 1

2009-06-23T10:22:00.000-07:00

One of the most effective and efficient ways athletes can improve performance is by strengthening their foundation. For the equestrian, I believe that foundation is the body. More precisely: the body's ability to maintain structural alignment while joining with the motion of the horse. Structural alignment is achieved when the bones align in such a way that they carry the force of gravity down through the body while at the same time receiving the power of the horse up into the body without creating unnecessary tensions in your muscles. Tension is created when the motion of the horse pushes you out of structural alignment and the muscles around your joints tighten in an attempt to hold you in balance. This would not be a big problem if we let go of the tension when we return to structural alignment. To maintain this level of balance you must increase your body's sensitivity to and ability to absorb and redirect outside forces - namely your horse.
James

The Squeal of Joy and Tears of Gratitude

2009-06-22T12:42:00.000-07:00

It happens in nearly every clinic someone squeals and someone cries.
Some squeals are with joy and excitement when a rider learns how to do something they already know how to do with less effort and more results. They squeal from the the feeling and conection with their horse.
Someone cries tears of gratitude and relief when they find answers or regain hope that they too will have that deeper relationship in the saddle with their horse.
It happened in Oklahoma when a friend, a high level rider, found magic in her canter by using her 'bellybutton out' on a circle that allowed her horse's back to lift and haunchs to engage like never before.
It happened in California when a rider learned the difference between a half halt and a half block on the outside rein that resulted in her PreSaintGeorge level horse softening, stretching and lengthing through it's back and neck like it was veteren Grandpre Master.
Tears flowed when a rider in LA felt the horses energy flowing up her spine to her head and used her lowerback for the first time ever to control the tempo of the walk.
Tears flow in Arizona (from everyone) when a disabled rider with no feeling from the bellybutton down, completely paralized in his waist and legs uses his breath to ask his horse to walk, walk faster, and halt successfully for the first time.
Man, that's why I love what I do!
James

Fear and the Gated Horse in Oklahoma

2009-06-22T11:22:00.000-07:00

Another example of how when a rider learned to use her breath her horse magically changed under her:
This rider who has many years of experience with horses decided to get a gaited horse for its smoothness, which would make riding easer and more enjoyable for her as she got older and as the muscles of the body naturaly get weaker and a bit less responsive. The bond between her and her horse on the ground is a thing of beauty, love abounds. Her issues are all in the saddle because of her age and having had a fall in the past, the fear of falling again is constantly showing up in her mind and body.
In the saddle this fear of the mind is processed as tension and bracing in her body. When her breath is up in her chest her spine is ridgid and her lower back is held tight! It is important to remember that this state in her body is a solution to the fear of falling whether or not she would tell you she was afraid. This ridgidness not only drives her gated horse forward like a snowball rolling down hill, the speed increases and control is harder, so the tension builds. When this happens you can see the conection that they had on the ground is gone. To my eye it seems the horse is running from an unknown fear, the fear that is being transmited by the riders mind and body. The horse does not differentiate that the rider's fear is of falling, the horse only picks up the signal of fear. Oh yes, they mirror everything, good and bad.
As she practiced breathing deeply into her body, releasing her ridgidity and tension, the horse reacted by softening and slowing or calming in it's gate. By breathing deeply I mean she changed her breathing from no rhythm to rhythmic by breathing, into her abdomen, in for a 4 count and out for a 5 count. As she softened and found her rhythm and her horse mirrored her, her fear lessened, she softened as did her horse, and for these two this is the path to becoming one, mounted.
Questions? Ask me.
James

Help for a Massachucetts Eventer

2009-06-22T10:35:00.000-07:00

Whether its transitions or calming or energizing your horse your breath is the Key.

Here are examples of how changing the breath changes riding from my last few clinics:

In Massachucetts, an event rider whose horse does well in cross country and jumping because of it's willingness to go forward has had real issues in dressage because her horse is hard to control. Prior to the clinic, her only tool to control her horse in the dressage ring was to hold (use force) against the foward movement by keeping the reins short , her back, shoulders and legs tight.
The tightness in her body transfered into her horses body and made their movements choppy and out of rhythm, resulting in not only lower scores but frustration which creates more tension in her body which transfers to her horse, and the cycle continues.
By learning to control and use her breath to influence and change the energy of her horse in cross country and jumping and as an aid to maintain rhythm and balance in the dressage ring, she was able to let go of the tension in her body--which released the tension in her horses body her position improved and her horse moved beautifully. They recieved a higher score and frustration was repaced with joy.
Questions? Ask me.
James

The Magic of Breath- Part 1

2009-05-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

We take our breath for granted. We breathe in and out without really thinking about it. Thank goodness for that, because if we had to remember to breathe, most of us would not be here. When we hold our breath, the affect on our horse is apparent.
· Your body begins to tense and the tension is transferred to your horse
· Your horse’s head raises two or three inches
· The movement through your horse’s body is restricted
· You cannot maintain fluid movement and you are disconnected from your horse
· When jumping, you cause your horse to be imbalanced in the air and on the landing.
· Prior to a transition, you lose your rhythm and your timing is left to chance

But what if we did think about it, and by becoming aware of our breath and deepening it we could feel our horse change underneath us? No verbal commands, no reins, no spurs, just our breath as the aide. It can happen just like that, and it does seem like magic!

For more information about my work visit www.shawtaichi.com

James

James Shaw's Blog

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BHS Training Day

Camelot fun-raiser clinic

Oklahoma Dressage clinic

discovering their center

The Whole Seat & Nothing but the Seat!

Looking Forward to the UK in September!

Hannah from Yorkshire and her Big Trot!

Neurofeedback &Tai Chi for Equestrians in Tennessee!

Testimonial from Switzerland!

New Lesson Uploads on YouTube!

Help with Riding & Plantar Fasciitis in one Clinic!

Two Great New Clinics in Washington!

My New Awareness!

Want to Extend a Connected Trot?

Walking Backwards--What Happens in Your Brain!

Sitting Trot

Thanks Florida - What a Great First Clinic!

Don't Change Direction by Rosie McCall

Moving Your Pelvis 3 Directions While Riding?

Dr. Dolittle and Chief Dan George Got It Right!

Back in the UK - Did You Miss Me?

Thanks for a Great Clinic in Essex!

Similar Riding Issues--Individual Solutions

My First Lesson

Relieve Tension and Impress the Judges

IS THERE A CRACK IN YOUR SEAT? - Part 1

The Squeal of Joy and Tears of Gratitude

Fear and the Gated Horse in Oklahoma

Help for a Massachucetts Eventer

The Magic of Breath- Part 1