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Post by dalesfan on Dec 9, 2011 17:17:43 GMT 1
Ok, bit of a numpty question but here goes....  Can anyone explain the differences ( and also similarities) between Centred Riding, Enlightened Equitation and Ride With Your Mind? I'm interested in learning more, both as a rider and a teacher. I've got my BHSAI but am finding it increasingly difficult to work in a conventional way....I want to find something that works alongside IH and shares that philosophy. I've had a taster of RWYM with Julia Fisher on the Perfect Confidence course, but I'd like to know more about all the methods. Also, can the principles from each method be applied to western riding? I've started some very basic western stuff with a local instructor and would love to know if any of the above approaches/methods can be used alongside. Thanks  Kate |
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Post by sarahandrieu on Dec 9, 2011 17:28:08 GMT 1
I had RWYM lessons for a while and would never go back to it. Have spent most of the last 6 months trying to undo all the RWYM stuff as I felt it put far too much tension into my body and blocked my horse, and I just don't get the leg position thing at all with the knee on, lower leg off. Some people find it works, but personally definitely not for me, my horse much prefers the way I ride now as well.
Of the 3 I would definitely go for EE. I have not had EE lessons but have read Heather's book. I do a lot of pilates and alexander technique work now which talks a lot about correct alignment, posture, avoiding unnecessary tension, and the EE methods work really well alongside this for me.
RWYM seems to work for some people, its a personal thing. I would suggest trying a lesson of each and let your horse tell you what they prefer.
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Post by heather on Dec 9, 2011 18:49:27 GMT 1
I guess that RWYM relies a lot on imagery and analogies, whereas in EE we rely on keeping things as simple as possible through in depth explanation and demonstration. Not that our EE students are simple!! I just think that there is enough to think about when on a horse, and try to keep things as uncomplicated as possible.
I guess it depends how your brain works, but truly, I have had very few people in a 41 year career who have needed anything different. But I am not such an egotist that I wouldnt go back to the drawing board, if I felt someone elses techniques were working better than mine.
But I do however, borrow CR's image of the rider being suspended from the top of the head by a piece of string,although I tend to use the image of a bungee rope, as it gives the feeling of being elastically stretched upwards with no stiffness. ;D
So if you like simple, thats EE, if your brain copes better with lots of images and analogies, then RWYM. I dont know enough about CR, but LisaP and JennyB are both CR teachers and can do a much better job than me!!
Heather
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Post by heather on Dec 9, 2011 18:50:10 GMT 1
PS Lou at Mendip stud with Jays Master Copy, the horse Monty rides in the demos, uses EE ;-)
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Post by dalesfan on Dec 9, 2011 18:52:53 GMT 1
That's a huge help, thanks Sarah and Heather |
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Post by jen1 on Dec 9, 2011 19:25:08 GMT 1
i know 1 of each camp and ive come to realise it depends on how they teach and how you learn, rwym was very good for me as i need to feel , and understand what to do with words given to me in the form of instruction, many time i understand the words but dont know what to do with them, i hate rank sayings and cliched teaching , like coming up behind the leg, into the bridle etc, ive got a very inquisative brain , for me rwym was good at getting me riding in a good basic outline, ive seen lisa prichard off here, andi have lessons with becky holden,
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Post by Catrin on Dec 9, 2011 19:35:06 GMT 1
All three, to my mind, are relating your posture to the expected movement of the horse. I tried RWYM when Nicole demonstrated it at the Stage 1 course, but found it difficult to remember where my body was supposed to be when I got home with my own horse. Admittedly I hadn't had any proper lessons. I saw EE demonstrated by Heather and was very impressed, it seemed a lot easier to follow. However, I was fortunate to have been at LisaP's very first Centred Riding clinic and that was the path I followed. She has arranged sessions with a RWYM instructor and I have used the techniques she showed us. I had lessons off LisaP on my husband's ex-racer, we were moving towards classical dressage, but my husband rides him western. You might find this article helpful here www.centeredriding.org/newsshow.asp?int_id=78 |
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Post by heather on Dec 9, 2011 21:43:57 GMT 1
Dalefan, if you are in Cornwall, I am only in S Devon. You are very welcome to come up and visit and see what we do!
Heather
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Post by caroline23 on Dec 9, 2011 23:43:04 GMT 1
ive recently starting having EE lessons and they are fantastic, so if you do have chance to go see heather i would take it!
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Post by Mellymoo on Dec 9, 2011 23:51:03 GMT 1
I've had a few CR lessons/clinics with Lisap, and they have really helped me. I have Heather's EE book, which is in many respects similar to CR. I think they both teach you how to ride properly IMO. Without CR I would have given up riding years ago.
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Post by donnalex on Dec 10, 2011 10:49:56 GMT 1
I love the EE way and totally hate the RWYM way. I know nothing about CR. Lately I have been thinking why this can be? Why can some people totally love one and not another, they are all riding after all! I am also looking at pilates and in particular the book 'Pilates for dressage riders'. I may be totally wrong but but I do wonder very much if the way we find the best is down to our own physical conformation? I have a very bendy back and find moving my back around quite easy and so can move with a horse and not upset it very much at all. Other people get on my ponies that I find easy to ride and find them sharp. I tell them they are too stiff and are scaring them. To no avail, they just cant be soft enough! So I wonder, probably very stupidly, does the RWYM system work for the people who are more upright and rigid in their posture? Does it make more sense to them than to me to ride RWYM style because I find what they do more difficult and vice versa? Shoot me down in flames and prove me wrong everyone |
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Post by heather on Dec 10, 2011 11:40:08 GMT 1
I've started Pilates now PonyNutt, no excuses left! My new nearest neighbour is training as Pilates teacher and is using me as her guinea pig! But it doesnt make any difference regarding people's make and shape. I have taught all shapes and sizes and abilities, from beginners to GP over the last 40 years. You just have to adjust your teaching to suit the rider in question, and keep it as clear and defined as possible. The EE motto is the quote from an Indian guru, Prem Rawat, 'Simplicity is the key to understanding', and I fervently believe this to be the case.
Heather
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Post by dalesfan on Dec 10, 2011 14:00:58 GMT 1
Will definitely organise a visit Heather, would be great to learn more....thanks for your input everyone,it's really useful |
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Post by donnalex on Dec 10, 2011 14:34:57 GMT 1
I've started Pilates now PonyNutt, no excuses left! My new nearest neighbour is training as Pilates teacher and is using me as her guinea pig! But it doesnt make any difference regarding people's make and shape. I have taught all shapes and sizes and abilities, from beginners to GP over the last 40 years. You just have to adjust your teaching to suit the rider in question, and keep it as clear and defined as possible. The EE motto is the quote from an Indian guru, Prem Rawat, 'Simplicity is the key to understanding', and I fervently believe this to be the case. Heather Haha I have made a start too! Perhaps the difference in why we like one style over another is in our heads then? How we think maybe? RWYM actually made riding incredibly difficult and complicated for me. And the book is written in such a complicated manner that you couldnt learn from the book like you can quite easily from EE. Heather I think with the pilates, it is useful for whe you are not riding but it could be overdone until you were verging on RWYM type stance. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2011 16:06:37 GMT 1
I had a RWYM lesson on the 5 day course and have to say, just that one lesson (not even on a proper horse!!) changed my riding dramatically for the better. I'd had years of being told "stretch your legs down, sit up, legs back" and I'd ended up forcing my feet into the stirrups so hard I hardly had any weight in the saddle and had zero stability. Julia moving me about and showing me how I should feel was enough that when I got home within minutes I had my dead to the leg TB going forwards easily off a light request.
I haven't been able to have lessons for a long time and have since read more about EE and having watched Heather's simulator youtube clips I think I'd rather use EE to progress from here as I do think it all seems a lot simpler and more fluid. Am having my first EE lesson tomorrow so will report back ;D
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