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Finding Your Center

The Foundation of Riding

Traditionally, you will hear that riding is about having first a good seat, then good legs, then good hands.  It is the good seat that allows the legs to drape in a relaxed manner around the horse and allows the hands to maintain a light contact through rein.  In the sequence of things to attain, it is the seat that comes first. It is your foundation.  In Centered Riding, the 'good seat' comes by riding from your center.

Finding the Center

If you can find an anatomy chart, such as those at the Doctor's office, you will find somewhere below the last lumbar vertebra and above the sacrum in small print next to an arrow the words 'Center of Gravity.'  This is the physical center of your body.  I've highlighted the words with pink on this gif.

To find this point on your body, there is a visual/kinesthetic way. You can step along as you're reading this. If it's practical and you can stand up to do this, you may find it easier to get the 'hard' evidence that something is happening as you do the visual/kinesthetic exercise.

  • Take stock of your body. For this exercise, it helps in particular to note how the muscles in your thighs feel: which muscles are you activating? the ones in front? the ones in back? are you using them a lot?
  • Place one hand on your abdomen, with the thumb resting over the belly-button. Place your other hand on your lower back, (the back of the hand against the back is easier for me) with your thumb about where a belt loop might be.
  • Now imagine a cord or beam of light beginning in the palm of your front hand, going straight back to the hand on your back.
  • As the cord passes from your hand through your body, notice it travels first through the skin, then through the abdomen, then all the way back to meet the front side of the vertebra in the spine. At this point in the body, the front of the lumbar vertebra line up with the side seam of your clothes.
  • Pause at this location and again take stock of how the muscles in your thighs feel.
  • now, very slowly take your awareness, either visually or kinesthetically, into the bone and beyond, all the way back to your back hand. (without losing all your balance!)
  • Pause at this location and again take stock of how the muscles in your thighs feel.
  • Travel back and forth from the front hand to the back hand, going through the space just in front of the bone very, very slowly, finding the spot just in front of the spine.

This last may seem odd, yet it is a way of developing your sense of knowing which is the key to finding the center whenever you need to find it. There is an accompanying sensation that you will get when you are paying close attention to what is happening. When you get this sensation you will know you've got your center!

A more physical way for finding your center, and one  of the quickest ways I've found, is to engage in 'The 100' of Pilates fame; however, this is quite an exertion! If you know Pilates and have done 'The 100,' then you most definitely know where your Hara is. If you've not yet done Pilates, it's a wonderful way to tone your body, improve your coordination (good for physical things like riding) and get the chi flowing. The best way to start is with an instructor, for motivation. Or a good tape. Even with an instructor or tape, you'll find a reference book that explains the details invaluable. Getting the breath synchronized with the movement is important, as are several little details. Also, this is a pretty intense form of physical activity. Be very gentle with yourself if you're starting on your own. 10 of 'the 100' might be more than enough to begin with. When that gets easy, you can add to it in small increments. It's very easy to over exert, so do be careful.

With a partner

While you can't do the 'Pilates 100' while on your horse, you may be able to place your hands on your abdomen and back, and use the visualization from above to find your center.  You can do this while stationary or at a walk.

As your horse is moving, there is also another way to find your center.  This is also one of visual/kinesthetic awareness, which can also involve some auditory information.

  • To begin, notice how there is motion in the pelvis
  • If you had popcorn inside your pelvis, it would be moving all over the place - up, down, sideways, diagonal, kernels bouncing into each other and all around, maybe down your leg occasionally or up into your ribs.
  • Continue noticing all this movement inside and as you do, also notice there is a quiet spot.  None of the popcorn goes there; there's no motion in this spot.  If you can see internally, you will notice it is a burnished gold color.  This is your center.
How would you like some hands-on guidance?

For finding your center, you may find a Specialty Lesson beneficial, and you can contact me at (512)869-7903 to set one up.  While this is entirely a self awareness process, in the beginning it can be of great benefit to have a separate set of eyes providing you feedback and the bodywork can really assist you with discovering your center..   

Through the Centered Riding® I have learned teaching techniques of visualization, awareness, and direction which can assist you with guiding your horse with harmony and precision. Come experience this all first hand!

Have you had a chance to play with this in your riding?  What is your experience with this?

 

Copyright © 09/2005 Lynn S. Larson
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"The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream. The oak sleeps in the acorn, the bird waits in the egg, and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs. Dreams are the seedlings of realities." 

~ James Allen

lynn@satoriconnections.com   512.869.7903