CLINICS AND TRAINING INFORMATION
|
Upcoming Clinics
The following quote refers to playing the violin, but it speaks to the physical issues
that confront horse and rider and their interactions. Of course these physical issues all
have their root in the minds of horse and rider, which is why the best riding is
achieved when the rider has awareness and control of the thoughts and emotions of
herself AND her horse. As Harry Whitney says,"The line of communication from your
brain to the horse's feet has to go right square through the horse's brain."
"The harder we press on a violin string, the less we can feel it. The louder we
play, the less we hear. The more relaxed and ready the muscles are, the more
different ways they can move. The method is to free up the hands, arms,
shoulders, every part of the body, making them strong, soft, and supple so
that inspiration can pass unimpeded down the nerve-muscle-mind channels.
Unimpeded by what? By involuntary contractions of the voluntary muscles, by
spasms of will. Our fears, doubts, and rigidities are manifested physiologically,
as excessive muscular tension, or what Wilhelm Reich called "body armor." If I
"try" to play, I fail; if I force the play, I crush it; if I race, I trip. Any time I
stiffen or brace myself against some error or problem, the very act of bracing
would cause the problem to occur. The only road to strength is vulnerability.
from "Free Play" by Stephen Nachmanovich