Stable Eyes
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Who is Sally Swift? What is Centered Riding? This month I would like to introduce you to Sally Swift. Swift has pioneered the riding technique and philosophy of Centered Riding.
Centered Riding is based on balance and harmony. It has some resemblance to martial arts in the importance of correct breathing, control from the center of the body, and the need for awareness and the quietness of the balanced body. In the forward to her book, Centered Riding, Sally Swift explains her methods as, “the combination of how your body works, the ability to allow it to function unhampered, and the awareness and use of energies created through you and your horse that makes this approach to riding surprisingly easy and very exciting. In all athletic sports we are cheered to push, push, push, try harder, work harder, go for the burn. Unfortunately, when we approach our riding in this manner, the muscle tension that accompanies our efforts gives an undesired response in our horses which we then try harder to fix or control, and the downward spiral ensues. There are four basic fundamentals to Swift’s teachings. They are soft eyes, breathing, centering, and building blocks. What do eyes have to do with riding? Pick a relatively small object and look at it with "hard" eyes. Look at it intently, scrutinize every little detail. Now look at it with "soft" eyes. Try to see as wide an area around the object as possible. Do not focus on the details of the object, but how it relates in size to everything around it. Increase your panoramic vision as much as you can. If you are indoors, take in the whole room. If you are outdoors, take in the landscape and the sky. Now notice the difference in your facial muscles, your neck and shoulder muscles, your breathing. I have seen spooky, flighty horses become instantly calmer beneath me just by being conscious of my focus (soft eyes) and breathing through my diaphragm. The use of Centering and the Building Blocks principles can unlock a world of relaxed, enjoyable riding for every level of rider in every discipline. To find your center Swift instructs you to, "simply point a finger at your belly to a spot between your navel and your pubic arch, the front of your pelvis. Deep behind that point, against the front of your spine, is your center of balance, your center of energy, and your center of control." Building Blocks refers to aligning the rest of your body parts to sit directly above and below this center of gravity. Students often refer to learning to "ride with their bones" instead of always fighting with their muscles for control and balance. Swift has overcome physical challenges herself and made riding possible and more enjoyable for many by using this approach. One example of applying this technique is to consciously ride with your head up. All of us who have spent time in a show ring have heard our instructors tell us to keep our heads up. It looks better, and it is correct equitation. But why is it important outside the show ring? One reason is because when your head is up you will be more likely to take in the scenery all around you, thus using "soft eyes" which will in turn affect your breathing, awareness, and muscle tension. But more importantly, think of it this way: Your head weighs eight to fifteen pounds! When it is properly balanced on your neck and shoulders, it is not difficult to carry. But imagine that much weight dangling from your forehead as your head drops down and now has to fight gravity to keep you up. Feel the tension that runs all the way down your neck, shoulders, spine and through your seat. This is uncomfortable for you and your horse, since you are now an unbalanced load to carry. One of the things I like best about Sally Swift is her teaching abilities and use of wonderful imagery. So many technical things can be so plainly understood with the use of an image. For example, when I hold my reins I always imagine I have two tiny chicks in my hands. If I don’t hold tight enough they will flutter out get away. If I hold too tight I will pop their little heads off! Born in 1913, Sally Swift was diagnosed with scoliosis at a young age. She has developed this system of riding and instructing and has certified many instructors to carry on her work. Susan Harris is one of her renowned students who is helping to continue her teachings around the country. To find a centered riding instructor near you, and learn more about centered riding, please visit the Centered Riding Website. If you have a chance to take lessons, attend their clinics, or just educate yourself with her book, Centered Riding (click on the library stable from Stable-Eyes homepage and look under the best information available) your enjoyment of riding and communicating with your horse will forever be rewarded. |
