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Qigong For Riders:
Another
unique and powerful clinic introduces riders to the ancient Chinese
art of Qigong (chee-gong). When we look at the upper echelons of
any of the various equestrian disciplines, there are a few horse and
rider teams that make it look effortless. There is a joy and a
connection between the horse and rider that we notice, even if we
can’t define it. What do they have that many of us only get glimpses
of? Feel, connection, willing partnership, ‘going with your horse’
are ways that many clinicians have described it. While some people
have it naturally, for the rest of us, it can be learned. Learning
feel goes beyond any particular discipline's technique, it’s a
matter of becoming aware of our horses and ourselves, and becoming
aware of the reality of what we really communicate to our horses
through our body language, body position and focused intention. By
becoming aware of what the horse actually hears, as opposed to what
we think we are saying, we can start that conversation of connection
instead of the argument of resistance.
One of
best ways to become aware of these deeper levels that are so
critical to performance is through the use of a Chinese awareness
practice called qigong. Qi (chi or chee) is the Chinese word for
‘life energy’. According to ancient Chinese philosophy, qi is the
animating power that flows through all living beings, including
horses and ourselves. Gong means ‘work’ or ‘benefits acquired
through practice’. Thus, qigong’ means working with the life
energy, learning how to control the flow and distribution of qi to
improve the health and harmony of our mind and body and those we
come into contact with. In China, qigong is practiced as both a soft
marshal art and as a medical healing art. When we become aware of
this life energy and start to understand how to direct it, our
riding can become much more effortless. It becomes performance based
on a conversation of mutual understanding and respect instead of an
argument based on dominance and force. This life force operates
whether or not we are aware of it, either positively or negatively.
(Luckily, reality doesn’t depend on whether or not we believe it.)
I believe that our flashes of connection have much more to do with
harmonizing this flow than from perfect execution of a particular
technique, although when we are in harmony the feel and timing of
our aids are much better performed. While there are many forms of
qigong, the form we use includes movement, breathing techniques,
exercises and visualization tailored to riders to harmonize both
ourselves and our interactions with our horses. These start with
breathing exercises off the horse and simple but powerful exercises
on the horse.
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