The Path Of Least Resistance…and the wonders of nature.
I had to write this blog so I could share this photo with you! Meet June Bug and her daughter Ash. I took this photo two days after Ash was born. Wobbly, curious, hungry...she is the epitome of adorable. They live on the Loal Tucker Horsemanship Ranch in Lamy, NM where my sweetheart Rick boards his horse Alex. I never imagined that I would be immersed in the ranch culture, and actually begin to fall in love with it! I am the dispenser of carrots, the giver of nose rubs, and the enthusiastic photographer.
I have also been attending horse clinics as a spectator. These clinics teach the rider and horse to work together on various skills, like going through gates without hesitation, walking backwards, stopping mid-trot, stepping over obstacles, weaving in and around poles, and cutting cows. Cutting cows refers to separating a cow from the herd. Cowboys/girls do this to rescue injured calves or separate steers from heifers, etc. As a teacher of movement, I am fascinated by how the rider learns to "steer" his horse.
It appears to me that the center of gravity and the power area of the horse is the neck, trunk, shoulders, and front legs. If they are free to initiate movement and dance side-to-side or front-to-back, then the goal can be accomplished...the calf is then unable to join the herd as the horse can easily block its path. If the horse gets befuddled by the prompts by the rider, then its backside takes over. A wagging backside is cute, but has no directional compass other than to lead the horse in circles. The calf is no longer under the spell of the horse and can easily escape and rejoin the herd.
When the rider gives his/her horse mixed signals or unclear directions, the horse gets confused and the command does not move through the horse's body correctly. As a result, the rider loses the ability to control his/her horse, the horse loses its capacity to be in control of its own directional prowess, and may even get spooked. Then, the mastery of the skill is incomplete. The most surprising and astonishing characteristic of this type of riding skill, is that the riders are only gently applying pressure with one or both of their legs, while their hands are holding the reins slack as they move their arms up or down, out or in, to steer the horse. Effortless synergy.
The segue—and there usually is one in my blogs—is that The Feldenkrais Method, which I am currently studying, is all about finding ways to move so as to make life easier and more pleasurable, AND gets you to where you are going with comfort and effortlessness. One of the most ubiquitous questions posed by Feldenkrais instructors is "How does this action move through you?" Example...while on your back, if you roll your right leg out to the right...might there be a response in your left hip? So, for me, observing horse clinics really puts the brain-body connection in perspective. Our nervous system is the largest component, I believe, in our exercise toolbox. When you become aware of (1) where you are initiating movement; (2) the amount of effort you are putting into the movement; (3) and how your whole body responds to the movement (or your "whole self," as the Feldeys say) then you have more potential to stay out of pain, stop yourself from falling, and enjoy all your hobbies and lifestyle tasks with ease.
Keep moving friends. Movement is LIFE.
May you be happy!
May you be safe!
May you embrace your life to the fullest!
Have a lovely summer!