Alexander Technique
Lessons for Horses and
Riders
One to one lessons both mounted and un-mounted
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Jo Osborne : Equine and
Human Body worker
Alison
lunges Sirius and Karen at walk
Alison working Perry in for Louise.
Sue working with Louise using
the Alexander Technique.
Working with Karen using
the Alexander Technique.
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Why the Alexander Technique As a rider you will be very aware of how your use of the self has a significant impact on your horse and on your riding. If you are out of balance your horse will most likely be out of balance too. If you are plagued by musculo-skeletal problems it is very likely that your horse demonstrates similar problems. The patterns of the rider are usually reflected in the horse. It is also noticeable that the patterns of the horse are often reflected in the rider. This is apparent when an owner acquires a new horse which may have been poorly trained and/or ridden. It
is essential therefore that you are able to recognise and change your
own patterns. The Alexander Technique offers a very effective way to do
this. When this is combined with my unique way of working with horses
you have the possibility to make some significant improvements to your riding
experience. "I really do feel that the session has done a lot of good. I am sitting much straighter when riding, not slouching or getting neck or backache." Mary Bennison
It
is very much to your advantage to have some experience of the Alexander
Technique before working with me on applying this to your riding. I am
happy for pupils to work with any Alexander Teacher, you do not have to
take un-mounted lessons with me in order for me to travel out do mounted
work with you. A list of fully qualified and insured teachers can be
found at www.stat.org.uk
Information on Alexander lessons for adults with me can be found here. Introductory Workshops From
time to time I work with riding instructor Alison Craig and Buiqui
instructor Jo Osborne. We offer workshops for all riders including
introductory workshops for those new to the Alexander Technique and
Buiqui. Latest details and testimonials can be found at www.releaseandconnect.com "I rode Leah today for first time since we got back and was able to keep her rounded for 45 minutes. Lovely canter!! So thank you. You and your gang have taught me to ride in my dream way!!!" Lisa Ward and Leah
I
am not a riding instructor and so your mounted lessons with me are
purely Alexander lessons. However I often work with riders together with
Alison Craig www.alisoncraig.co.uk.
Alison is a British Dressage Trainer, BHSI (Reg’d)
and listed dressage judge. She is dedicated to training horses and
riders with the emphasis being on them building a unique relationship
through trust, feel, understanding and classically correct training. Her
ongoing studies in the Alexander Technique have influenced her own
riding and teaching methods. She continually searches for what makes a
difference for each horse and rider. Her previous career was as a
professional Management Consultant working in leadership and personal
development. Alison is able to help the rider integrate the un-mounted
bodywork experiences into the riding sessions with insight and feel. When I work alone I travel out to you at an agreed location (usually the yard where you stable your horse). I charge £65 per hour per horse and rider and there is usually minimum fee of £100 per visit. This means that it is more cost-effective for you to arrange to take lessons along with a friend. In this way I am travelling out to give two lessons and the cost to you is only £65 plus any fee you have to pay to hire workspace. Most riders hire the indoor school at their yard for their lessons. This way we can go ahead with the lesson whatever the weather. It is rarely feasible for me to teach outdoors if it is raining or cold. If the outdoor school is hired, or there is no indoor school, then your lesson will be booked with the proviso that I may have to cancel if the weather is very inclement. When
I work with a horse and rider together I treat them as one unit. How the
rider is affects the horse and how the horse is affects the rider.
Therefore I do hands-on work with both. The hands-on work is very
gentle, energy work. In fact to the outside observer it may seem as if
nothing is happening. However both horse and rider usually feel quite a
positive change. "Very excited about the Alexander Technique. Have done a course before when I was younger but this made more sense and my body felt more things. Also next day when I rode I felt different. I was in shock in fact. I realised my legs were not only draped against his sides with no effort, but that they were also still, and I was absorbing the horse differently and effortlessly." Marion Kendall Sometimes horse owners ask me to come out and to work only on their horses. In this case I do very gentle, hands-on energy work with the horse with the owner's help. This can be very helpful for horses with problems of any sort and often results in gradual improvement. Most owners notice changes after the first session but the work is usually accumulative over a variable period of time with 4 to 6 week spaces between sessions. I usually charge £45 per horse and as the sessions are entirely directed by what the horse needs at the time the length of the session is variable. Sometimes the horse needs only 20 minutes or so, sometimes much longer. My minimum charge for this work depends on each individual case based on factors such as distance to travel and whether or not the rider is a current pupil. To discuss your individual needs please call me: Tel: 020 8546 7790 |
