Equipose
A natural union of Yoga and Horsemanship
Theresa Norris and Priscilla Howard became friends through natural horsemanship. Over the years they examined how their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual body affected their relationship with their equine partner. Theresa and Priscilla practice yoga to balance their bodies for their well being. An idea formed of how yoga could be infused with natural horsemanship. They observed a natural connection between riding horses and practicing yoga. Yoga taught them how to be their authentic selves and slow down to live in the moment. Realizing that horses as prey animals are sensitive to a person's present state of being it directly correlated to how they interacted together.
Excited about the idea they created simulated horses to develop eighteen basic poses in a seated position that would benefit the equestrian and the general public. They felt how their body within a pose mirrored how to move with their horse while riding. Theresa and Priscilla studied how the poses practiced on their horse affected their communication and riding abilities. Interestingly they sensed how yoga was relaxing for both horse and rider. They noticed that when their whole body was balanced their performance heightened. They felt a desire to share how the poses can deepen the relationship within you and with your horse. Theresa and Priscilla called the yoga- style poses"Equipose" written as a comprehensive guide to living to the fullest with your equine partner.
Practicing yoga in this style is a gratifying experience whether you own a horse or not. An "Equipose" session can be practiced with your equine partner or on a simulated horse. The program is designed to empower you with how to implement "Equipose" to benefit you. The positive outcomes of practicing "Equipose" include supporting your overall well being, revealing your total authentic self, supporting your ground work and riding skills, releasing stress, tension and tight muscles, improving your range of flexibility, building core strength for better balance, facilitating your breath to feel centered, and focusing yourself awareness. Practicing "Equipose" offers you a feeling of peace that will flow into the rest of your life.
One of the greatest aspects of "Equipose" is that it facilitates undemanding time to spend with your horse to balance your total self. It teaches your horse when mounted that you do not always desire to work on riding in turn they learn how to read your intentions. Horses become more willing to develop a relationship with you because you're not in a demanding "let's get to it" state of being. "Equipose" can supplement your equine routine to establish balance in the mind, body and spirit. It will open your heart to the connection between you and your horse. "Equipose" reinforces the rewarding feeling of engaging with the awesome spirit of a horse.