Wanting to learn more

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#1

Hi all :slight_smile: I have been lurking for a few days and you have inspired me to learn more. After fracturing my back approx 4yrs ago I started doing a little yoga from dvds to regain core strengh. I didn’t really see beyond the exercise untill now. I also have horses and train in classical dressage. I feel that the work I do with my horses shares some similarities with yoga in the sense that I’m trying to make them supple and strong so they can have long healthy lifes, and by practicing yoga myself I feel I am a more balanced calm rider. One thing I am doing a lot of at the moment is massage in movement with the horses which I am finding effective. I wondered if there was a yoga equivalent to this?
Anyway I enjoy reading all the posts and hope to learn more :smiley:

#2

While I don’t know the answer to your questions, I wanted to take a second and welcome you to the forum. If you’re looking to learn more, this is definitely a great place :slight_smile:

#3

Laura,

Just for your interest…

I often attribute my first yogic awakening to riding horseback. I think it’s the first time my upper and lower-body came together, through the horse. Kind of crazy, I know, but my thought is that the weight-sharing and balancing that goes on between horse and rider is not unlike that which goes on internally within us, between upper and lower-body: an extension, if you will, of the union between ascending and descending forces. Kind of like an equine shaktipat. It’s true. What do you think?

yee haw!
siva

#4

Thanks guys

Siva that makes complete sense :smiley: some one said to me the other day " I’m suprised your legs arn’t bigger riding horses" I tried to explain its not about strengh, its pose and balance. Having no blocks in the body and directing another though weight shifts and breath. Not force.
I have alot to learn what is a shaktipat pls?

#5

Hi Laura,
I used to ride horseback years ago and really don’t have a lot of experience. But I do yoga ever day, to respond to yoga and massage in movement: yes, there are countless postures that massage the inner organs. Many twists, for example, massage the liver and pancreas. And the mindful stretching and strengthening of muscles in yoga, could be described as a massage too. Most importantly, the deep and conscious breathing massages the mind.
Which styles of yoga have you tried?

#6

Thanks YogaMel , Ashtanga I believe, I suppose I don’t just do yoga, my brother is a body balance instructor which is yoga, tai chi and pilates so I have been to lots of his classes, also I have recently been shown qigong which I liked very much. I tend to work on my own doing what I feel my body needs on that day but I feel more of a connection to yoga and want to go down that path, although there seems to be many paths within yoga :confused:

#7

Hi Laura,

Oh yes, there are so many different styles of yoga, that people can end up confused about what is right for them. In fact, if we are talking about asana, the physical practice, I believe it is all ONE path, even though people give it different names: Conscious breathing, accompanied by bodily postures. Have you tried out classes at a studio?

#8

I’ve been to classes at the gym but I felt I prefer what I do at home. I think I need to find a specific yoga centre so I can try different styles as opposed to the gym where it was all a bit vague to be honest.