Riding with Tai Chi

I am always striving to improve my riding. One of the biggest obstacles to good riding is tension. It is not always easy to identify where your body is holding tension however.

I recently bought James Shaw’s book “Riding from Within”. This book uses Tai Chi exercises and principles as a basis for improving your balance and feel for the horse. I have always felt that the martial arts would be ideal for riders for improving balance and poise. This book confirms my opinion exactly. The blend of physical and meditative techniques is perfect for the development of the ideal rider.

I read through the book in two days flat. I have started practicing the exercises, and have already felt an improvement. Obviously this is a long term programme, but the benefits are felt immediately.

The weekend after buying the book I rode in a show (my first show for nine months after an injury – the horse’s not mine). I used the starting exercise of standing meditation, prior to riding, and during my jumping rounds I focused on breathing in rhythm with my horse. I had only read about these and had not yet started practicing them. Well, I jumped three of the best rounds I have ever ridden. I reached every jump on a perfect stride and maintained a steady calm rhythm throughout.

I have subsequently incorporated some of the exercises into my daily workout at gym, and am gradually adding the mounted exercises into my riding. The results are fantastic.