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angelarab
Platinum Member
 Wales
2876 Posts |
 Posted - 18 Feb 2011 : 08:00:56 AM
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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!
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 "Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened."
www.northwalesarab.co.uk |
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shah
Gold Member
England
1356 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2011 : 10:09:50 AM
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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...)   |
West Sussex |
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jacki
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1988 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2011 : 10:10:24 AM
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| 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 |
sittingbourne kent |
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Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2011 : 12:34:26 PM
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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. |
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guisburnfeefee
Bronze Member
167 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2011 : 2:38:24 PM
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| second the pilates - but also Tai Chi - have a look at Tai chi for the equestrian, James Shaw - certainly helps me |
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Mrs Vlacq
Platinum Member
Wales
3776 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2011 : 3:44:48 PM
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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! |
    
- V Khazad - V Calacirya & V Sulime - Quarida(L) - V Boogie Knights - V Hamra Tofiq |
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Sam Hunt
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
112 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2011 : 5:03:22 PM
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| 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! |
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basbob
Gold Member
France
1356 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2011 : 6:13:23 PM
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| Sing whilst your riding - it makes you breathe properly and relaxes your torso. |
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birdof1977
Silver Member
308 Posts |
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Bebely
Gold Member
United Kingdom
813 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2011 : 9:15:59 PM
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| 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. |
Bev |
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Stiff upper body riding help
