Alexander Technique and My Riding- Monday 19th May

I attended a group A.T session taken by Lyn Boreham that was organised at Gainfield on the Monday evening (this was a follow up to a previous clinic) Lyn worked on each of us and it seemed clear that we all had pretty similar problems .For me it was a collapsed right hip and also some tightness under my chin. I also was unable to lift my up my left arm without moving or tensing my right arm!
I have had several of these sessions before and they leave me feeling quite light headed, a lovely relaxed feeling! Next morning I had my lesson with Debbie. Debbie was able to follow up Lyn `s input by bringing into my lesson the key points identified the previous evening. I had been finding it very difficult to ride the canter on India. It is so big but by focusing on these new areas it became easier than it had ever been before. On the right rein I remembered to open the right side of my rib cage and lengthen it, feel my left seat bone and remembering to keep my hands low with India trotting in a good rythmn and over the back I asked for canter- It was super! Debbie then combined a leg yield exercise across the diagonal from the circle taking the transition when she offered it, as she did once she felt the improved balance .After the initial difficulties of getting to grips with the exercise both India and I were floating in and out of transitions effortlessly- not diving onto the forehand but pushing forward and straight into both reins.
This I will practise again and again! I will certainly be there for the next A.T session on 23rd June and I thoroughly recommend it to anyone else who has a body that doesn `t always do quite what you want it to!

                          Dorothy Maundrell   (Wantage  May 2008)

P.S  I find listening to different professionals views of the riders body control immensely helpful in my teaching.I have learnt to relax the rider and get the improvements necessary more by listening to my pilates instructor and now Lyn than from fellow professionals in my field  (Debbie Beasant) I throughly recommend this approach to other trainers 

Dorothy Maundrel

 CONTACT Debbie or Jack Beasant. Tel 07887 808630
 email : db_riding@btconnect.com 
                             

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