tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post6531721104889406367..comments2024-03-05T09:22:39.828-06:00Comments on Wyvern Oaks: I’m going over to the dark side, but first - a dressage lessonjenjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-88485237240799150032012-07-31T21:54:27.382-05:002012-07-31T21:54:27.382-05:00CFS, I drive a stick shift sometimes, with a reall...CFS, I drive a stick shift sometimes, with a really hard clutch, and my left quad is way more defined than my right. I'm starting to think that driving is bad for riding. Clearly we should ride our horses everywhere! <br /><br />Very interested in your posts about Ride With Your Mind - I will be watching for them on your blog!jenjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-19094848975351530182012-07-31T21:52:25.853-05:002012-07-31T21:52:25.853-05:00Gingham, thanks for the link! I may have to order ...Gingham, thanks for the link! I may have to order that DVD. I wish she were closer to me (by like 1500 miles or so, haha!), 'cause I would for sure do a couple of classes with her. If you take any lessons or classes from her, please blog about it! I'm really interested to see what she's doing and if it helps.jenjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-54258425089438814362012-07-20T19:14:08.879-05:002012-07-20T19:14:08.879-05:00There's a gal around me who is a retired MD, t...There's a gal around me who is a retired MD, turned dressage rider turned pilates instructor. She doesn't practice medicine anymore but she does teach lots and lots of pilates (both in studio and while you ride). I have audited a clinic from her and know that my pretzel body could probably benefit from some one on one, but she has some books (and videos?) I think that might have exercises us pretzels could try to work on without her guidance... her website is http://www.riderpilates.com/ I haven't ever bought anything but just writing this comment reminds me I should!Ginghamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06677667981067220682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-27779002368748291612012-07-20T12:10:06.027-05:002012-07-20T12:10:06.027-05:00"I also figured out that my right leg is way ..."I also figured out that my right leg is way more active than my left, and that my right heel has an annoying tendency to creep up. Honestly, I can feel that my right calf muscles are tighter than my left, and I think it's because of driving a car. Does anyone else have this issue?"<br /><br />Oh yes! My truck is a manual transmission, and I spend six months of the year on a man sized tractor all day. My right leg - too active, heel creeps up, ride side collapses and right seat bone is usually out of place laterally. At least, that's what I have figured out from Val's feedback...<br /><br />I'm fixing to do some posts about Mary Wanless' book Ride With Your Mind - An Illustrated Masterclass in Right Brain Riding. You might like it. Lots of info on position re biomechanics. It's complicated material presented in a simple way. Really resonated for me.<br /><br />Love your description of the very distracted dressage test. Good luck at the HJ show. Can't wait to hear all about it!!Calm, Forward, Straighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08360276614916635500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-36110065279056410702012-07-20T08:56:18.735-05:002012-07-20T08:56:18.735-05:00Val, I totally know what you mean about curling up...Val, I totally know what you mean about curling up one way, collapsing one side! I do it when I'm reading. I wonder how much of what we do every. single. day when we're NOT riding carries over into riding. I'm guessing much, much more than we're aware of.<br /><br />I wonder if there's something like yoga for equestrians? I've done "regular" yoga a few times and could really feel both sides being stretched and feeling more even after. Something specifically for equestrians would be super awesome!jenjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-88734391992219007892012-07-20T07:31:12.623-05:002012-07-20T07:31:12.623-05:00My left leg is much more released than my right le...My left leg is much more released than my right leg. My right side (right-handed, too) is tighter, which makes it more difficult for me to keep my right lower leg down and more difficult to swing my right leg/seatbone forward. However, my left side is the one more likely to collapse and get concave, which I think if more typical of the tighter side in the rider. I ride my horse better going right, because he and I are much straighter. <br /><br />I have not paid attention to my driving position, but I know exactly how I like to curl up on the couch and watch TV: left side concave, right side convex with my legs draped to the left so my right leg is more bent and my left leg is longer. I have tried to change it and sit straight, but it is so comfy the other way!Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-34659540824584636952012-07-20T06:26:08.431-05:002012-07-20T06:26:08.431-05:00Good question, LL. Are you right-handed or left? I...Good question, LL. Are you right-handed or left? I'm right-handed, yet my LEFT hand is the one that maintains more consistent contact, even if it's a little too much for Saga. Maybe BECAUSE I am right handed, I like to "fiddle" with the right rein? Who knows. What was super-interesting to me is that nobody - in 25 years of riding - told me about the thigh/lower leg controls. Makes total sense, but I can't believe I've been bumbling along for so long without knowing that. This is why it pays to take lessons from different instructors!jenjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3204283740895921092.post-72856404990250569722012-07-20T04:13:45.129-05:002012-07-20T04:13:45.129-05:00That IS interesting about your legs. I found my ri...That IS interesting about your legs. I found my right heel slipping towards Maest's shoulder when we were schooling travers.... I wonder if it's to do with how I sit??<br />Or maybe just dominant/weak sides??<br />The lessons sounds productive, though. <br />Good luck with the dark side!!Leeshhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08504626914889252270noreply@blogger.com