Table of Contents
Foreword viii
Preface x
Introduction 1
Training the Body 2
Training the Mind 4
What's Coming 5
Part 1 Understanding Yoga and its Application to Horsemanship
Chapter 1 The Yoga/Horsemanship Connection 9
A Great Pairing and a Likely Union 10
True Yoga 11
Finding a Good Space 12
Chapter 2 What Is True Yoga? 17
Yoga…Beyond Postures 18
Other Values 19
Accessible to Everyone 20
The Yoga of Everything 21
Yoga, On and Off the Mat 21
Chapter 3 Practical Parallels-Yoga and Horsemanship 25
Where the Yoga Mat Meets the Saddle 26
Breaking It All Down 27
Chapter 4 What Makes a Good Rider? 41
Attributes, Characteristics, and Qualities 42
Riding with Awareness 43
"Handling" and Leading with Awareness 51
Discernment 52
Applying Awareness Exercises 55
Chapter 5 Energy 61
A Felt Experience 62
Horses and Energy 63
Respect the Energy 65
Wait for Positive Energy 65
Leading Different Horses 67
Using Music to Change Energy 68
No More Than Necessary 68
How Detecting Energy While Riding Might Look 69
Chapter 6 Connections 72
Real Connection 72
Ways to Connect with Your Horse 74
Part 2 Practical Instruction in Yoga and Yogic Methods
Chapter 7 Yoga Postures for Riders-On the Mat 85
Yoga Postures Specifically Beneficial to Equestrians 86
Why Certain Yoga Postures Are Helpful for Riders 88
Introduction to Good Yoga Postures on the Mat 89
Floor Yoga Postures 92
Tabletop Position 92
Child's Pose 94
Cat/Cow Pose 95
Revolving Spinal Twist 96
Seated Spinal Twist 98
Cobbler Pose 98
Hip Cradle 99
Pigeon Pose 100
Seated Forward Bend 102
Wide Angle Pose 103
Low Lunge Pose 105
Sphinx Pose 107
Plank Pose 108
Downward Dog 108
Touch the Sky 109
Mountain Pose 110
Eagle Arms 111
Standing Crescent Moon 112
Standing Forward Bend 114
Warrior II 115
Chair Pose 116
Standing Goddess Pose 118
Tree Pose 119
Savasana/Deep Relaxation Pose 121
Grow Your Repertoire 123
Chapter 8 Yoga Postures for Riders-On Horseback 125
Beneficial Poses to Do on the Horse 126
Jnana Mudra 127
Arm Raise with Breath 128
Spinal Twist 129
Eagle Arms 130
Pigeon Pose 131
T Pose Into Warrior Arms 132
Seated Yoga Seal 134
Triangle Pose 135
Savasana/Deep Relaxation Pose 136
Prayer Pose 137
Stretching Out During a Ride 139
Chapter 9 The Yoga of Breath 143
Using Breath in Horsemanship 144
Breathwork Instructions 145
Complete Breath ("Three-Part Yogic Breath") 146
Ujjayi Breath ("Ocean-Sounding Breath") 146
Alternate Nostril Breath 147
Breathwork in Yoga Postures 149
Breathing Beyond the Mat 150
Breathing Activities with Horses 153
Exercises to Use on Horseback 154
Chapter 10 Meditation 159
Creating Space 160
Instructions for a Basic Meditation Session 163
Things to Remember 165
Chapter 11 The Power of Intentions 171
What Is Intention? 172
Sample Intentions 173
Ways to Incorporate Your Intentions 174
Chapter 12 Creating a Personal Yoga Practice 177
Make Yoga Your Own 178
What Are Your Needs? 179
Creating Your Personal Practice 180
Chapter 13 Embodying the Practice 185
What Comes Next? 186
Connecting the Dots 188
There Is No End Game 190
My Horses: Dan and Sampson 192
Acknowledgments 194
Index 196
