Some quick comments from folks during their first time for riding....

" It's like I've done an hour of yoga! "  - M. B.
"For the first time I feel my legs draping...." - T. D.
"I now have an entirely new relationship with my hips!" - C. M.
"I like it because it's slow and unhurried and I can figure things out." - L. S.
"Finally, someone is exlpaining to me how to ride!" - from many people!

"Rather than finding oneself worrying about the activities of one’s day, a student ends up focusing on three main centers of balance, in sequence as one aligns the spine. A riding session becomes almost like a Zen meditation." 

excerpted from Ingrid's article "The Horse as Therapist" in The Horse Gazette.

From N. ~

Lynn Larson's Centered riding teachings have answered questions that I could never really ask to any other professional. I have ridden with masters in Spain, as well as German riders, but deep I felt something was amiss, like it really wasn't about the horse but what things 'should' be to a judge, or any other individual. I was surprised by Lynn's horses; They may not be flashy as Andalusians or as huge as a German Jumper, but they are very good teachers. I started to realize the bad habits that I was taught were very harmful and disruptive for a horse. I get other horses, and I see it works. I knew, from my first time on a horse, there had to be something like this that could answer all those questions in my head, like how to turn, or go forward, and it did not happen with my reins, or my squeezing my legs, that it was much more than that.

Hi Lynn,

I just wanted to let you know me and my horse made it home last night and everything was ok!! Thank you again for the wonderful clinic and for all your help! Your clinic has changed my life with horses and I can't thank you enough!! You are so gifted and talented with horses, people and healing! You do a great service with your gifts and I feel very lucky that I got to see you in action! I will keep you updated on our progress. Happy Halloween!

Much Love,
Carolyn

Hi Lynn,

I want to tell you how much I enjoyed the clinic! It was really terrific. It gave me a lot to think about. Techniques to use on the ground and on the horse. With all this rain, and thinking through the techniques on the ground has been helpful. Realizing I was giving mixed signals because they were getting mixed up in my head - and not 'riding' from my center was a 'light bulb' moment. And riding D. when she is not responding well, and realizing that I have to 'fix' me first, breathe, check my balls, unclench my jaw - then correct D. if I need to. I have seen that I don't have to do that much correcting when I fix myself first. Breathing and unclenching my jaw seems to be the most important for me to remember.

The teaching at the clinic was presented in a way that was clear, that you could take the knowledge and skills and use them later on. The techniques and demonstrations on the ground with a partner were VERY beneficial. I liked working with a partner and in a group so that you learn from them as well as you. The exercises, the ball and the trampoline were useful aids in learning and being aware of how your body is moving and how to correct the movement, and/or your way of thinking about it.

It was truly a great experience having the lesson on D. Although she was trying every card in the deck and put me through an 'emotional' ringer, I learned so much. Maybe it was the adrenaline, but I remember almost everything about that ride. What I was doing, how I was correcting and how she felt under me. It was great.

I feel I made good progress at the clinic. It confirmed to me that I want to continue CR and learn all that I can to improve my riding and the partnership between D. and myself.

Thank you VERY MUCH for hosting and sharing with all of us. I can't wait for the next one.

R

When I took a few lessons from Lynn Larson the other day, she opened a new world of riding to me. Her way of working with a horse is very elegant, giving only minute instructions to the horse, which is in contrast to the high effort, "brute-force" methods I was used to from my previous instructors.

By first focusing on my posture and correcting it before I got on the horse, she then greatly improved my seat and achieved balance between the horse and I. As a result, I was able to direct my horse with little effort, with only slight shifts of my weight as the cue. Lynn frequently uses visualization in her teaching to help you understand how your actions affect the horse and its balance and also to activate your unconscious in learning new skills. She incorporates eastern meditative techniques that help you relax, be in touch with your body as well as the horse.

Lynn is very precise – she makes sure that your posture and instructions to the horse are 100% correct. Her horses are also not typical school horses. They are well-trained and motivated, which makes your lesson all the more productive, as you spend less time dealing with a horse’s temper and more time focusing on your riding skills.

In addition to improving your riding skills, Lynn’s focus on posture lets you walk away with a better pose. This is in itself an added health-benefit, as a good posture can prevent long-term health problems.

I highly recommend Lynn Larson to anybody, novice or advanced, who is serious about becoming a good rider.

When Lynn Larson offered her repertoire of Centered Riding® lessons, and alternative healing practices online, she had no idea how her Centered Riding knowledge would help a client over 2000 miles away who has never ridden a horse.

Carolyn Winter, like Lynn Larson, is a Resonance Repatterning© practitioner. She lives in Toronto Canada. For the last five years, she has been coping with a condition of reduced mobility resulting from hyper mobility in her hip joints. She walks stiffly, finds it hard to bend to put on socks, or get placed comfortably in a chair when she goes to sit down. She frequently finds herself sitting on the edge of a chair, impairing her ability to move with the chair around her desk.

Chiropractic work, deep tissue massage, and exercise has helped restore a great deal of her former mobility but a quantum leap in mobility occurred after she participated in some group long distance healing sessions with Lynn Larson

Carolyn Winter is a firm believer in the power of long distance healing, but this tangible physical shift surprised even herself. After participating in several group sessions with Lynn Larson, Carolyn's lower back released some of the taut tension held for years allowing her to do a maneuver we all take for granted... to just sit in a chair. In her office chair, with wheels, Carolyn noticed how she was now landing squarely in the chair and moving the chair now became a graceful gliding activity emanating from the core of her hip joints.

"You can't imagine how accomplished you can be when you can sit comfortably in a chair. It's as though I have exchanged a tree log for a chair and upgraded to the most expensive ergonomic chair you can buy.

"When I got to know Lynn Larson and a little bit more about Centered Riding, I realized that Lynn's Centered Riding knowledge was somehow making a positive difference to my physicality through the sessions. I AM doing Centered Riding on my office chair!"

Lynn Larson explains what she feels may have happened "With Centered Riding, we release unwanted physical tensions in the body – since that creates resistance which causes rough and uncomfortable rides, and we don't want that. We're looking for smooth, comfortable, and harmonious rides. This is done by becoming deeply centered in the pelvic area, allowing the body to balance and become stable. With the stability, muscles are no longer needed to hold the body up. The skeletal system does all the work and the excess tension can go away. This is something I've been doing in my own body for over 15 years now.

"With long distance Reiki and HR one learns the practical implications of the laws of physics: waves continue on forever. What begins with me radiates outward infinitely – available to all, interacting with all, connecting with all! In a session, the agreement is put into place that I provide whatever is in the highest and best interest of the receiver, as directed by the receiver, and I open myself up to providing that. At some level, Carolyn knew to pick up the information about body usage, and 'viola!' it, too, was hers!

Carolyn Winter and Lynn Larson met through a mutual sharing of Resonance Repatterning Sessions. When the events of 9/11 catapulted the world into a climate of possible disaster, they came together with Carolyn Himmelfarb to take the action they were most suited to taking: they created the Resonance Repatterning for Peace Sessions and offered this to the world. Participants enjoy receiving weekly Resonance Repatterning sessions that strengthen their coherence with peace. As participants become more aligned with peace, this peace radiates throughout their lives, touching first them and then their loved ones and then those they come into contact even peripherally. The positive changes ripple through their lives and the lives of others, enhancing peace of mind and peace of action.

This gift is given freely to the world and is available through the graciousness of the Resonance Repatterning Association web-site at http://www.hologrhapic.org/Peace.

Lynn Larson is a Level III Centered Riding Instructor, a Reiki Master, and Resonance Repatterning practitioner. She provides clients with the blend of services they wish to pursue. She resides in the Austin, TX, vicinity. You can reach her at (512)869-7903.

From Melissa ....

Lynn~

I wanted you to know how much I am enjoying the Centered Riding lessons I have been taking the last few months. I cannot tell you how excited I am to have finally found a way to challenge myself spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally while indulging my passion for animals.

I really had no idea, when I embarked on this path; I would find so many answers. The most surprising aspect is that most of the answers are to questions I wasn't even aware I had! The majority of the "turning points" in my life have been the result of collective experiences that culminated into a conscious change or an epiphany of some kind. Centered Riding, though, is so special because the "ohs" and "a-has" happen in every class. At that moment when my head ball finds its groove; the chest ball drops my jaw; the belly ball rolls into the mixing bowl; and my true center finds its voice -- there is no better feeling. AND, the horse turns the corner truly seeing that carrot I have so lovingly imagined. It is the epitome of living in 'the now' while being apart of the process that is creating the amazing experience.

Looking back over all the activities and resources I have used and continue to use for my personal and spiritual growth, I had no idea how much impact Centered Riding would have on my life. I thought I would be doing a little bonding with a horse and allowing myself to relax my mind for an hour a week. My treasured discovery has been far more revealing. I AM getting to bond, but not just with the animal and a special teacher, but with myself. I am getting the opportunity to strip away, layer after layer, the "me stuff" that had been hiding my authentic self for too long. It was time for me to do this in my life and I know that is why I found Satori Stables when I did.

Thank you for being the perfect conduit of the answers I consciously and subconsciously seek. You are a special teacher and, now, a special friend too.

Until our next "a-ha!" ~ Melissa

From Carrie ....

Centered Riding® at Satori Stables with Lynn Larson renews and enhances my connection with horses.

What I've been seeking has also sought and found me on my journey in body, mind and spirit.

As a life long equestrian, I so wanted to reconnect with riding and horses -- but in a way that would validate and augment my personal & professional goals. This happened with Lynn.

I have greter body awareness. I am better able to balance my neck and head.
I am becoming more aware of my center in relation to the rest of the world around me.
I am applying what I am learning while riding to living life in a more balanced manner.

Since I began working with Lynn in September 2002, I have continued to learn and relearn lessons again and again. Learning Centered Riding, I have renewed and strengthened my connection with horses, while further developing my connection with my own body and spirit. I apply Centered Riding techniques throughout my day. I now have greater emotional and physical balance in all that I do.

Enhanced awareness of how I hold and use my body while riding increases my comfort, enjoyment and effectiveness as an equestrian and as a human being. After an hour of riding I no longer have locked ankles and numb toes! I am also more centered and assured on my current path in life. I am developing increased self-confidence on and off the horse!

In Lynn Larson I have acquired a gifted, patient teacher and a wonderful, dear friend. This is also true of her mares and dogs. To be hugged by a two-year-old Great Dane is to be reminded of the wonderful loving spirit that is Satori Stables!

Thank you Lynn and all my relations at Satori Stables -- two legged and four legged,

Carrie Oennika Cook