Yoga Under the Big Sky
Yoga on Horseback
By Margaret Burns Vap, 10-10-07
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Author’s note: I will be writing two yoga columns each month; the first, “Montana musings,” will merge my new experiences here (as a recently-relocated east coaster) and my reflections on yoga. The second monthly column will focus on a yoga topic inspired my own practice.
My main teacher the last few months has been a horse named Belle. This very new experience of horses (while learning to ride and have a horse was a childhood dream, before now I’ve only ever been on horseback a handful of times) has been like holding a mirror up to reflect some of my not-so-positive habitual patterns; for example, I asked my instructor Annie how long it usually takes on average to catch a horse. Catching your horse is the first thing you have to do before anything else can happen, and there have been a few times where I wasn’t sure I was going to accomplish this seemingly simple first step! (note that horses are not like dogs, they don’t come when you call them.) Annie responded, “horses don’t have a schedule.” OK, I get it; but I kept coming back to what she said repeatedly and reflecting on how I could apply this simple statement about horses to my life.
With a young daughter, my own business and a seemingly endless list of things to juggle, my life is meticulously scheduled. Otherwise, nothing gets accomplished. I am used to viewing everything I am doing through the lens of how much time it is taking up. Clearly not what hanging out with a horse ought to be about, right? So Belle has already taught me one of yoga’s many lessons - letting go of habitual patterns of behavior (in Sanskrit called samskaras) that we get stuck in. And the riding...? I feel like I am learning yoga all over again! Finding my breath, relaxing my muscles yet engaging them, and coordinating new types of body movements atop Belle was nerve-wracking at first (especially when coupled with the fear of falling off). But I’ve noticed that I am able to tap into the same internal resources I use in my yoga practice: ujayii breath, body awareness, clearing of mind clutter. When I do, it is much easier to synchronize my movements with Belle’s and move together in harmony. Which goes down on my list as one of the most incredible feelings ever - not unlike that feeling you get from a great yoga practice. There you have it - yoga on horseback.
Five months after my first lesson, I am past the shock of newness and enjoying the process of discovery my learnings with Belle bring about. I’ve been reading a lot about the horse-human relationship and its fascinating history, and evolving my yoga on horseback - in fact, my riding instructor Annie (pictured with me on Piper and Belle) and I are about to start a yoga for equestrians program at the stable. I am a little bit nervous about reassuming my teacher role in the presence of my teachers, especially Belle - when I am instructing how to use yoga on horseback to relax and connect with your horse, will she be thinking to herself, why don’t you do that more? I’ve learned that being the teacher doesn’t necessarily mean that I know how to employ the lesson itself all the time. But that in itself is a major lesson, and ongoing reminder.
Learning to communicate with Belle has been amazing. Optimal horse-human communication is mostly silent, through body language and emotion. It is a challenging thing to learn when we are most used to expressing ourselves with words, but it reminds me of yoga. Whether we know it or not, we become drawn to yoga for its ability to put us in touch with our bodies and what we are truly feeling. It cultivates authenticity - are we being authentic to our true selves, or are we hiding behind an identity that isn’t a true reflection of our nature? Recognizing this can often be a painful process that evolves along with our yoga practice. I am sure that most of you have had the experience of a yoga pose bringing on a sudden and unexpected flood of emotion. It may come as a surprise, but afterwards we feel that some real part of us has been revealed, and that can be a huge relief.
A book I recently read called The Tao of Equus examines the horse-human relationship in detail, and how horses can awaken our intuition; in fact, it goes so far as to suggest that we cannot establish a meaningful interspecies connection without first being “emotionally congruent”. In short, horses know when we are lying to ourselves and they won’t tolerate it. Similarly, we won’t grow in our yoga practice if we are not open to the process of self-discovery it causes. How wonderful to have another being be a mirror for our true selves. There are moments when I feel I have connected with Belle that have brought on powerful and pure emotion. These are moments where I am truly present and authentic, as when I am able to be present in my yoga practice. The parallels continue to astonish me.
The following quote from The Tao of Equus could be applied to either horse or yoga experience: “Ultimately the willingness to relinquish accepted concepts and respond authentically in the moment [leads] to an increasing ability to navigate through the unknown, to become more fluid and adaptable, to embrace all experiences and emotions as meaningful information.” I love the idea that my horseback riding is an extension of my yoga practice, and that Belle is my teacher.
RECIPE - time to celebrate the pumpkin! Pumpkin is rich in carotenoids, which neutralize free radicals, and beta-carotene, a potent antioxidant. Not up for skinning a fresh one? Canned pumpkin appears to have much more vitamin A than fresh-cooked pumpkin. This may be due to the fact canned pumpkin has more water cooked out of it than boiled pumpkin, and the varieties used for canning have intense orange color, a sure sign of carotene. Pumpkin is a good source of fiber and adds a little iron and folate to the diet too. This soup is easy and super-healthy.
Curried Pumpkin Soup
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups finely chopped onions
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 teaspoon curry powder
3-3 1/2 cups (more if needed) low-sodium chicken broth
1 15 oz can pure pumpkin
1 cup (or more to taste) frozen corn
1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
1 cup (packed) grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese
*Cook’s Notes:
When buying canned pumpkin, avoid those with added sweeteners, spices and artificial preservatives. Substitute vegetable broth for chicken for a vegetarian soup.
- Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add onions and bell pepper; sauté until vegetables begin to soften, about 8 minutes.
- Add curry powder and stir one minute. Add broth and next four ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer at least 15 minutes to blend flavors, stirring frequently.
- Season with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into bowls and top with cheese.
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Comments
I found your story quite interesting. As a long time equestrian, horse trainer, yogi, and owner of a horse named "Belle" also, I feel also compelled to comment. First, while I agree with Annie that horses don't have a schedule, an obedient, well trained horse should allow you to walk up to him and put a halter on him. It takes me ten seconds to catch all three of my horses, even the baby (it was her first lesson after being halter broke), even when they're out on the "back 40." I'm always quite concerned when I hear of people who can't catch their horses. Think Cesar Milan dog training here- horses and dogs are alike in that they need pack leadership (or, rather, herd leadership) and that's paramount to becoming a good horsewoman. Please find someone to help you train your horse to come when he's called (or asked). They will and they do.
I've taken quite a few clinics with Linda Benedik, who wrote Yoga for Equestrians. There are many, many similarities between riding and yoga—as you note—for one, both are lifelong practices... you do not "learn to ride"- you journey through it-- there's no marathon at the end you're training for, just a better line of communication with your horse. After all, horse competitions, no matter the saddle you ride in, are all about communication.From centering to breathing, all the same skills are there-but fundamentally, when working around horses it's really about this single thing: Presence in the moment.
Inattention (and inexperience) is what causes the accidents that get people hurt. So the fundamental key here is what we learn at yoga class all the time: be here, now. To me, that's what riding and horse care provide.
The experience of being with a horse is, indeed, special. And i'm glad you're loving and learning from it.
but to down grade a cowgirls rough an stamina disposition in a comparision is down grading the Heart of The Horse an dat de Woman is a horseback.. Yoga is never been related to de Horseback and must be definded otherwise.. A mediataionthat is the tuneness of body on the ground with itself..
Look for your self ever seen Buddah on a horse? Nope! It like tring to Cry underwater..hummm
Such beauty and respect goes to these working ranch women!! Giddup..
Weather your sitting on a yoga mat on the ground or on a saddle on my rolling back-- you just never what's going to come up.
Thats why we are so interesting to be with. Even the best trained horse will surprise you some day. If you want a vehicle that stays where you put it and always allow you to get on it- buy a car. I, like your emotions are much more complex and can't just be coaxed to your side by a bucket of grain. In fact your nature as a predator and me being your prey, makes letting you catch me and then proceed to climb on my back a real act of faith.
Margaret, thank you for trying to understand my innate behaviors by being patient with me while I learn more about you too.
Belle
) )
) ) -- hoof prints in case you didn't get it.
P.S.
I would like to see Cesar Milan tell me to shush then throw me on the ground and hold me down till I get quiet. Neigh Neigh!!
Sorry, my hoof hit send before I could proof this one.
Weather your sitting on a yoga mat on the ground or on a saddle on my rolling back-- you just never KNOW what's going to come up.
That's why we are so interesting to be with. Even the best trained horse will surprise you some day. If you want a vehicle that stays where you put it and always allow you to get on it- buy a car. I, like your emotions are much more complex and can't just be coaxed to your side by a bucket of grain. In fact your nature as a predator and me being your prey, makes letting you catch me and then proceed to climb on my back a real act of faith.
Margaret, thank you for trying to understand my innate behaviors by being patient with me while I learn more about you too.
Belle
) )
) ) -- hoof prints in case you didn't get it.
P.S.
I would like to see Cesar Milan tell me to shush then throw me on the ground and hold me down till I get quiet. Neigh Neigh!!
I don't begrudge Margaret her explorations of the horse and her relationship to it and the world. I'm absolutely sure there is some spiritual element there. Having been on horseback for about 35 years, though, I DON'T think that all of that is an excuse for getting good training and learning to care properly for the horse. If you're afraid of it, you;re not ready to own one, simple as that. Why? Because the horse does know, as Margaret says, that you're afraid. However you want to spin it, and whoever's philosophy you want to believe, that's the fundamental truth.
That being said, Emily's subtle suggestion that Margaret has not sought "good training and learning to care properly for the horse" seems in itself to be a rash judgement. In fact, it appears as though Margaret is taking the appropriate steps by employing an instructor and educating herself on equestrian fundamentals.
Also, the idea that fear should preclude one from owning a horse seems a bit extreme. If that were the case, few people would ever set foot in a stirrup. See "Coping with the Fear of Horses" by Julie Goodnight http://www.juliegoodnight.com/articles/fear.html
Face and conquer fears... don't run from them.
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