Fitness From The Field: Bodywork On Horseback
The Rural Intelligence region offers a plethora of fitness and healing modalities, but it can be hard to know which is the one that fits your needs, your body type and your schedule. Enter Paula Boyajian, a yoga instructor certified in Interdisciplinary Yoga and Yoga for the Special Child, who has taken on the role of RI’s fitness contributor to sleuth out the details of the many health and wellness options in our area.
When it comes to horseback riding, two polar-opposite memories jump to mind. First, a humorous image of my father singing “Don’t Fence Me In" as my sisters and I follow him and a guide through the Canadian Mountains. The other is of disapproving folks telling me how unnecessary and even abusive to horses the recreation is today. But Blue Rider Stables in Egremont, MA, bridges this gap by providing a unique setting for humans to do body work in partnership with horses that are treated with respect and gratitude.
What It Is
Borrowing their name from an Expressionistic Art movement that thought of as animals the “guardians of what was left of innocence and unspoiled nature," Blue Rider hopes to change the way people think of and experience animals. I’m here to say that this desire can be fulfilled. As I’m typing this, I’m thinking about Bella, the horse I worked with, wondering how she is. This bond develops because of magnificent head teacher, Christine Sierau, whose connection with horses is uncanny and can’t help but spill over to students. After learning about a horse’s nature, I realized that we must work together simply because horses know no other way.
The practice incorporates the yoga, Pilates, Feldenkrais, and Alexander techniques, but it was Bella who actually balanced me out before I found my centering. She clopped louder when she had to make up for my inexperience and sighed in relief as I improved. My one-hour private class opened my eyes to my physical imbalances and tension. After working on these issues, Bella exhaled deeply, signaling that we were finally working in harmony.
Activity Level
Blue Rider offers classes for adults and children as well as people with special needs, so it is for all levels. There are graduated steps to assist you in getting on the horse and a dedicated staff member always by your side. Christine continually checked on my comfort level, blending my verbal responses with her observations and intuition, resulting in recommended exercises to do on (and off) the horse. If anyone is uncomfortable, she echoes her own father’s approach. “I would come to him in tears, crying that I couldn’t do something. He would tell me to come back and tell him why… If you tell me what you don’t like, we’ll get options."
Benefits
Christine gives you with something you can use at home. “You don’t have to leave here and spend $500 on a horse," she says. These “things" include body awareness, core strength, tension release and improved posture. You may address all of these, one of these or maybe something completely different; it’s very individual.
In my case, I was off balance primarily because of over-arching my back and my uneven shoulders. While on Bella, I was led through deep breathing exercises, upper body stretches and pelvic/core adjustments. The effects were immediate — I felt taller and lighter. Bella knew it and began trotting. Her quickened pace made me laugh, motivating Christine to say, “Ah, we’ve finally got the laugh!"
Instructor Info
Christine, certified by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, has connected with animals all her life. As a child, she preferred their company to that of humans and swore she’d never teach people. After taking riding lessons in England and Germany she realized that sooner or later a horse is going to end up with someone else and felt the responsibility to share her wisdom. Words don’t do her talent justice though — it must be experienced. She explained that horses think visually and so she gets a picture of what a student should correct and as the correction is made, the horse responds. “It’s profound, they’re so grateful when you’re centered," she says.
Facility/Ambience
The barn houses free-roaming horses and one open wall faces mountains and meadows spotted with more glorious creatures. All equipment is provided. Regarding clothing, do not wear anything flowing that would get in the way, and wear sturdy footwear.
Cost
Adult one-hour group lesson is $50; private lesson is $65. A daylong Yoga and Riding workshop (“Neighmaste") is offered at the start of May and June.
Blue Rider Stables, Inc.
15 Farm Lane, South Egremont, MA
(413) 528-5299
Paula Boyajian at her lesson.
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