| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| angelarab |
Posted - 18 Feb 2011 : 08:00:56 AM
Can anyone suggest how i can relax my upper body, i am talking mostly shoulders which impacts on arms and hips which impacts on legs
It's not just riding where i tense up this is me anyway! |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Bebely |
Posted - 18 Feb 2011 : 9:15:59 PM
Have you tried Alexander Technique? I find that helps me to lengthen and soften in my upper body and you can recite the "mantra" as you are riding and if you get tense. |
| birdof1977 |
Posted - 18 Feb 2011 : 6:46:13 PM
Originally posted by basbob
Sing whilst your riding - it makes you breathe properly and relaxes your torso.
LOL. I make my daughter do this, especially when she's nervous, as it also relaxes you, and gives you something else to think about, which in turn, relaxes your position.
Our favourite is the 'Grand old Duke of York' The tempo seems to fit well with keeping your horse in a regular rhythm :) |
| basbob |
Posted - 18 Feb 2011 : 6:13:23 PM
Sing whilst your riding - it makes you breathe properly and relaxes your torso. |
| Sam Hunt |
Posted - 18 Feb 2011 : 5:03:22 PM
All are good answers above. I was also going to mention pilates, breathing, and looking into the possibility that it's not a knock-on effect of something else. Much as I'd love to, I can't really add to what's already been said above. Good luck in getting it resolved though! |
| Mrs Vlacq |
Posted - 18 Feb 2011 : 3:44:48 PM
Does it improve if you're doing something else? soemtimes these things are a manifestation of how hard we are concentrating on learning new things... as a kiddie if I 'tried' to do a nice sitting trot I was hopeless, if I was told to ride a route of fences, a tricky set of flatwork movements, a series of transitions etc the sitting problem resolved itself.
Or try singing.
Failing that (and assuming B won't mind) you could do all the pivots etc that kids do - arms out and twist so they're pointing nose to tail both ways, then touch opposite foot with your hand.
Or a lunge lesson on a comfy horse with a good tutor so you can trot around with your arms up, out, dropped behind your hip etc.
All of these work, espeically after a Janette-ing! |
| guisburnfeefee |
Posted - 18 Feb 2011 : 2:38:24 PM
second the pilates - but also Tai Chi - have a look at Tai chi for the equestrian, James Shaw - certainly helps me |
| Quarabian |
Posted - 18 Feb 2011 : 12:34:26 PM
Good point jacki about this being a symptom.
anglearab perhaps you need to get to the root of the problem. If you are always tense in your upper body breathing exercises will definately help. But if there is a physical problem you might need to get this checked out first.
Stop and allow yourself to settle before trying to become aware your body and any stiffness or pain anywhere. It might even be in your foot! It could also be psychological. What are you worrying about? If you want me to talk you through this you are welcome to pm me. |
| jacki |
Posted - 18 Feb 2011 : 10:10:24 AM
lerazipan? try deep breething, yawning and doining lots of shoulder rolls if its not just when riding try a chiropractor as raised shoulders are usually compansating for pain elswhere x |
| shah |
Posted - 18 Feb 2011 : 10:09:50 AM
Pilates!!
Has done wonders for my shoulders, they've dropped several inches since I started, and my upper body is starting to be more relaxed (issue when working in front of a computer all day...)   |
