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?
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