I wanted to explore this kind of coaching to become a softer, more body-aware rider, to be able to work through some of the issues giving me pain in the saddle, and to feel truly connected with my horse. Yolanda’s coaching complements traditional dressage coaching beautifully.
My work keeps me on the road, and it shows. I sit slumped with my pelvis rotated backward, which gave me lower back pain and switched off my core. It made it difficult for my seat aids to travel through my own body, so they became less effective. My hip flexors were shortened and my lower leg crept up with them. Because of my job I already had a good knowledge of anatomy, but feeling it in my own body was a different thing altogether.
The breath work made me dizzy at first because I was hyperventilating! Once I visualised the breath moving in and out, everything slowed down and became calm and relaxing. I felt far more connected to the saddle and my horse. Yolanda’s visualisation techniques really helped, and I use them in the gym too.
Taking new movement patterns into the saddle was tricky at first. Doing the exercises off the horse is a must, and getting comfortable with them before you get on is so important. Staying focused once you’re up there is hard work, but when it comes together it’s divine.
I now use the breathing in the gym during strength training: breathing out and pushing all the air up and out, then breathing in and filling my lungs to capacity, widening my rib cage.
Trudi H.
Trudi with Hugo. Always loved.
