Welcome

Welcome fellow riders! How many times have you had a riding lesson where your instructor asked you perform a certain movement and you just could not figure out how to get your body to respond? Regardless of the riding discipline you enjoy, do you wish that you could improve your riding by being more relaxed, remembering to breathe, having better coordination, and being in better balance? My goal for this blog is to talk about the principles of Tai Chi and offer some practical suggestions on how practicing Tai Chi can also help you improve your riding.

Tai Chi is an ancient form of moving meditation that has its origins in Chinese Martial Arts. The Chinese believe in the concept of chi, a vital force that animates the body. One goal of Tai Chi is to increase chi energy and learn to move it through the body. Another goal is to create a calm and tranquil mind. Learning to do Tai Chi exercises correctly provides a practical way to learn about such things as balance, alignment, fine-scale motor control, rhythm of movement, and the origin of movement from the body's core. By learning the practice of Tai Chi, you will learn to manage your own body better so you are better able to influence your horse. Just remember this mantra: If you are expected to sit straight and balanced on a horse, you must first be straight and balanced on the ground.

So, over the coming weeks, I'll discuss different Tai Chi principles, relate these principles to riding, and describe some basic ways you can start adding some Tai Chi practice to your routine. My next blog will be about the principle of breathing. But in the mean time, let me know if you have specific questions you would like answered in future posts or if you have a Tai Chi experience that you would like to share.