When riding, horse and rider form a harmonious unit. Even the subtlest signals are enough to show the horse what you want from it. Yoga is the perfect complementary sport for riders. It helps you become more aware of your body, avoid poor posture, relax your muscles, and focus. The positive effects for both horse and rider were discovered long ago. That's why there are now even special yoga classes tailored to the needs of riders!
We'll tell you why both horse and rider can benefit equally from yoga and meditation. We'll also show you three helpful exercises for a secure and balanced seat in the saddle.
Why your horse benefits from yoga
Horses are highly sensitive creatures. For thousands of years, they have formed an unbeatable bond with their riders. They have very fine antennae and can sense the slightest movements and imbalances. If the rider has trouble finding their inner balance or is struggling with muscular imbalances, this also affects the animal. It may become restless, favor one hand, or even misinterpret the human's signals. Usually, the rider is to blame, and the problems can be quickly resolved with proper training.
With the help of yoga, you can help your horse become even more of a unit during training and send the right signals. Your horse will benefit from, for example:
• a better balance
• finer signals
• Your inner balance
• a strong focus
• an upright and balanced seat
5 reasons why yoga is perfect for riders
Yoga has a wonderful effect on the physical, mental, and spiritual levels. There are, of course, many more good reasons to practice yoga. We'll share five of them with you now:
- Sitting upright is easier for you
Yoga strengthens the entire body. This also strengthens the muscles in the upper and lower back, which are so important for sitting upright. This automatically makes it easier for you to relax your shoulders. You may not have noticed a slightly rounded posture before practicing yoga. But through regular bodywork, you'll notice even small differences and automatically sit upright.
2. Your chest will open
Free and deep breathing is crucial for riders. This helps supply the muscles with sufficient oxygen. An open chest is also essential for an upright sitting position. Only when you feel like you can breathe deeply will your body straighten up. Various stretching exercises gently open your chest.
3. Your entire body becomes more flexible
To communicate to your horse what you want without words, you need a keen sense of your body. The more flexible you are, the easier this will be. With yoga exercises, you can ensure that your hips and legs, for example, are stretched and strengthened. You'll quickly notice the positive effects while riding.
4. You gain a new body awareness
You know that feeling? It's somehow much easier to control one side of your body than the other. Yoga helps you achieve balance. You learn to control your right and left sides equally. You recognize your patterns and can counteract them directly with your improved body awareness.
5. You learn to focus
By intensively engaging with your body and your inner center, your focus will be trained. Your concentration will be enhanced, and you'll automatically learn to tune out everything around you. This will help you send even more targeted signals to your horse while riding. Conversely, you'll be able to sense and interpret your horse's movements and sensations even more intensely.
3 Yoga Exercises for Riders
But enough of the theory! Our three exercises will give you a brief first glimpse into the world of yoga. Find a place that offers you peace and quiet, lie down on a yoga mat , and begin the exercises in a relaxed manner. Each asana should be held for at least two minutes.
Exercise 1: Paschimottanasana (Forward Bend)
Sit on your yoga mat and stretch your legs. Now slowly bring your upper body forward as far as possible. Keep your back and cervical spine as straight as possible. Breathe in and out deeply and consciously. With each breath, try to go a little deeper into the stretch. If the stretch is too intense, sit down on a low cushion or yoga block .
Benefits : This exercise stretches the back of your body. It relaxes your back and relieves unwanted tension. It also helps loosen your shoulders and increase mobility in your legs.
Exercise 2: Dragon Pose
For the dragon pose, step into a wide lunge. Bring your right leg forward and extend your left leg back as far as you can. Your upper body should be to the left of your right knee. Support yourself with both hands on the mat . Keep your back straight and your gaze downward. Repeat the exercise several times, alternating between both legs.
Effects : This exercise from the Yin Yoga is ideal for stretching the hip flexor. It's especially important to keep this muscle relaxed when riding.
Exercise 3: Deep Squat (Malasana)
The name of this asana gives it away. For this yoga exercise, you squat deeply. Place your arms in front of your body in a prayer position and simultaneously stretch your legs with your arms. But only as far as you feel comfortable.
Benefits : This exercise primarily targets your lower body. It strengthens your thighs and balance. It also stretches and mobilizes your hips. At the same time, it stretches your lower back. You'll benefit from improved mobility while riding.
Are you a rider and want to try yoga? Or are you already diligently practicing Hatha Yoga or Yin Yoga asanas that support you while riding? Have you found more peace in general as a result? We look forward to hearing about your experiences!
