极
拳
John Ding International Academy
of Tai Chi Chuan Guildford Branch
|
Click here to download Tai Chi for Riders brochure. Click here for the booking form. |
"The combined input from Alex and Debbie has helped me become more balanced on the
horse, which is willing, soft into the contact and energetic. It is like we are becoming more
tuned-
Juliet Dennis, workshop participant
Dismounted Workshops for Riders
Learn how to use Tai Chi principles to work more in
harmony with your horse by:
- Developing a relaxed, supple seat
- Improving body awareness
- Achieving more control coordination & balance
- Building a stronger core without losing sensitivity
- Becoming more mentally and emotionally aware
- Developing a calmer mind and a more settled body
Alex works with Debbie Moore, a knowledgeable and experienced dressage trainer
to deliver dismounted workshops for riders. The workshop format combines rider
demonstration with a number of Tai Chi exercises on the ground that have been
specifically designed by Alex and Debbie for equestrians. The demonstrations
compare correct and incorrect use of the body / mind and the effect on both
horse and rider. The workshops are held in an indoor school so that Debbie can
demonstrate, on a horse, how the skills learnt from the exercises help the horse
and rider.
Summer Workshops & Events 2011:
Cost £25 per person.
Saturday 7 May 2011
9:30 -
Saturday 25 June 2011
2pm -
Contact: Rosie Langridge on 01342 835787
or email: quarryfarmstables@btinternet.com
Sunday 26 June 2011
Open Day @ Moorcroft Racehorse Welfare Centre 11am -
This will be a double demonstration day showing the work of this charity and Debbie & Alex will be there giving information and doing dismounted demos.
Saturday 16 July 2011
10am -
Contact: Mary Henley-
More about Tai Chi and Equestrianism
Because true Tai Chi principles are in harmony with nature and physical laws,
horses, due to their pure instincts, are already Tai Chi masters and have much
to teach us. In the words of Egon von Neindorff, ‘the horse already knows how
to be a horse, and therefore the problems of equitation are entirely those of the
rider'. Masterful riders in artistic disciplines will have had to apply Tai Chi
principles to get there, but they will doubtless describe what they do in a
different way because they have followed a different path. The destination,
however, is the same.
Tai Chi provides a theoretical and practical framework for the rider to develop
physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Tai Chi differs from disciplines
such as Pilates, Yoga and Alexander Technique because of its martial aspect,
which develops sensitivity through softness and an understanding of how to
work with external forces in a relaxed and non-
extreme stress. Because postures and movements have to 'work' in order to
deal with external forces effectively, this introduces additional layers of
understanding into the discipline by checking that the alignments and
biomechanics of the body are correctly understood and applied.
Tai Chi works by training the body to manipulate external forces by merging
with the centre of gravity of the other person or animal so that the two forces
become one. To help students assimilate Tai Chi principles, Alex frequently
demonstrates applied postures, movements and principles via exchange of
hands (Gau Sau) with his students. Students also test each other's postures
and movements in a non-
student and teacher confidence that principles are being applied correctly and
therefore optimum benefit can be drawn from the practice; that is, with
sufficient care and dedication, of course! With this experience of the practical
application of these principles, students can begin to apply these to other
areas of their lives, to support their own interests and occupations.