This begins to sound as if all we have to do to learn how to ride is to learn how to be centered, which, of course, is not true. Pam, Alexandra and the clinic participants were already riders. During the clinic sessions, I inserted many directives for specific situations, but the emphasis was on doing it all from the center. The result of this approach indicates that riders can learn and apply the myriad details of riding more easily and efficiently through centering and achieve beautiful results.
Often I have people tell me, "You have not only helped my riding; you have changed my whole life." Usually, this is simply because they have been able to increase their awareness or because of the relief of being able to allow things--their bodies and their lives--to function on their own after years of struggling to be in control of everything. You will discover in your own way what centering can accomplish when you open up to awareness and quiet.
This article originally appeared in the May 2001 issue of EQUUS magazine.
