A Somatic Approach is about feeling and sensing and informing the body from within rather than trying to apply external corrections.

By taking the main principles of T'ai Chi, Qigong, Psoas Release, Feldenkrais and many other somatic practises Jo will help you to develop your own internal map of how your own body connects; not through learning anatomy, but through developing your own feel and learning to find postural balance without tension. Advanced lessons show you how to use your mind, breath and energy to effect.

• Change postural habits
• Become adhesive in your seat
• More effective in your aids
• Remove chronic tensions
• Become the fluid rider that you can be

Postural habits and tensions die hard for the rider. If your riding instructor keeps giving you the same postural corrections that you would change if you could, if you hold fear, pain or restriction in your body that stops you from being the fluid, adhesive rider that you would wish to be then these workshops will be a key for you in unlocking your potential.

Jo had been a full time professional Riding Instructor for over a decade before her very in-depth explorations into therapy and movement for a further decade. She understands posture, breath and movement as an integrated whole and brings that to you in your relationship to riding horses.

These workshops are designed for the everyday rider as much as for the very highly trained rider. We explore body and movement and its relationship to the riding posture. Through using techniques and lessons you will have an experiential and practical exploration into the dynamics and workings of your own body and its relationship to riding. 

Riding should be about the merging of two bodies, directing and following each other as a cohesive body movement; the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. There are the technical aspects of riding, like understanding the aids and signals to the horse, and there is the effective body positioning and postural awarenesses that leads to the effective use of the body as a rider.

Traditionally, riding is taught from a mechanical point of view, as in, I want my back to be straight, my shoulders to be back, my hands to be still, my leg to effective, etc. and these are largely done on the horse. But learning about posture and finding fluidity of movement through the body is best achieved off the horse where real changes are far more effectively done.

Endless repetition of riding on a circle makes conscious corrections painstakingly long winded with the rider in danger of overlaying more tension into their body whilst trying to adopt the correct position and, at the same time, direct an unpredictable horse.

Off the horse, we can discover the subtle distinctions of all the body parts which can then be integrated to the whole movement pattern and applied when introduced back onto the horse.

All lessons are gentle and fun and tap into the innate intelligence of your system. There are no harsh movements or contortions. We work with full respect for your body's physical limitations and seek to expand your horizons.