Many that practice yoga are familiar with the body mind and spirit trinity that is used in yoga to address the whole body. With Yoga on Horseback we now add Union to achieve the ultimate harmony.

Have you ever seen a rider who is beautifully poised, not interfering with the horse’s balance and movement, but contributing to the picture of fluidity and grace? This is union. Horses are known for their ability to read a rider’s subtle movements, attitude and energy. When you ride, you are engaging in a holistic partnership with your horse. If you feel tense, how can your horse be soft and supple, if you are sitting off balance, how can you expect your horse to move along a straight path? When you are out of harmony with yourself, you are out of harmony with your horse – and the horse knows it! It is sometimes said that our children are our greatest teachers, the same can be said of horses.

Yoga on horses focus’ on achieving integrated and supple movement in a delicate exploration of balance and focus. This is done by, lengthening and toning the muscles rather than tightening or straining the muscles, because when muscles are tight it reduces the sensory awareness.

The fight or flight reflex is common in both humans and horses. This reflex causes muscle contraction for the readiness to fight or run. Tense and ready to act. Horses easily sense this reflex, so if you are nervous about any posture of activity on the horse the first thing to do is to be aware, relax and breathe. The journey of yoga on horses is a connected one.

It has been suggested that emotional consistency between a person and their horse is necessary in order to achieve a meaningful connection. And recent research has shown that horses can awaken us to our intuition. Horses know when we are lying to ourselves and they won’t tolerate it. How wonderful and amazing it is to have a horse acting as a mirror for our true selves. Shining a light on things we wouldn’t otherwise recognize. This self recognition gives you a huge advantage in the practice of yoga. It will allow you to achieve a better and more meaningful yoga experience.

Optimal horse-human communication is mostly silent, through body language and emotion. It cultivates authenticity - are we being authentic to our true selves, or are we hiding behind an identity that isn’t a true reflection of our nature? Join me for Yoga on Horseback and find out.

For years horses have been used in Therapy for both emotional and physical challenges, and finally we have added Yoga. Please see my flyer and if you like, post in your work place. I will be teaching Yoga on horses, and Yoga for riders at Arion Theraputic Farms here in Kelowna. No previous horse experience is necessary! Just a willingness to be Open. If this makes you curious, please call for more information and class times that can fit any schedule, (250)864-2255.

Namaste, Melody Zacharias.