$279.00 USD

Improve Your Riding From Home, Winter 2022

You are purchasing a recording of a previous series.

No previous experience required.

What you'll get:

6 DTM Awareness Through Movement Lessons to improve your riding, no matter your level.
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TESTIMONIAL, USDF INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION RENEWAL

2021 Continuing Dressage Education Online in Real time with Dave Thind

Erin Sweeney, Certified Instructor Training-Second Level

CI Opportunity: 2021 was the second year that I have applied The Dave Thind Method online rider seat training to my continuing education requirement for USDF Instructor Certification Renewal.

It’s Relevance: The Dave Thind Method (DTM) uses Feldenkrais principles to help riders improve position/balance, relieve pain and enhance connection and communication with the horse. The foundation of DTM is the understanding that a rider’s movement in the saddle is fundamental and that as riders we must develop awareness of the way that our bodies move on and off of the horse as a prerequisite for moving in harmony with our horses.

A major principle that all riders grasp during Dave’s unmounted Zoom sessions is awareness of unconscious holding patterns and how those patterns lead to subtle imbalances throughout our bodies and therefore our horses’ bodies. When these patterns are recognized and released our horses’ balance improves instantly.

A rider’s seat should be loose, flowing and supple in order to feel and influence details of a horse’s lateral/horizontal balance, center of gravity, directionality, tempo, rhythm, etc. Our dressage education must continue to focus on the seat, our most influential aid and most critical means of influence over the horse. The ability to use our seat in a supple and constructive way without getting into our horses’ way is vital to our progress as dressage riders.

As a Dressage instructor I have become sensitized to the presence of tension in my students bodies and the ripple effect that rider tension has on ridden horses. DTM has helped me with this process. I find that nothing can progress in combination with tension and that students are best served when it is addressed immediately by returning back to basics order to establish rhythm and relaxation.

The online class format begins and ends with discussion of Classical Dressage theory and how it relates to Feldenkrais principals and spends approximately 30 minutes with Dave teaching students Feldenkrais movement lessons. Dave is a Grand Prix rider who underwent formal professional training in Germany. He is always a positive influence and gifted teacher.

A few short comments from students after completing a recent series:

Reet: I loved all lessons in different way. It helped my body to be much softer and I feel my horse much better.

Nancy: I would feel so relaxed on my horse right now. My left leg grew 2 inches longer today. This course woke up so many parts of my body.

Gina: Legs feel longer and softer. In this series, I have gained a more stable position and can communicate with him better.

Therese: I would love to ride now,I feel like I would truly be one with my horse. Loved my series - was my favorite

Karen: My back feels strong but very flexible. My fav lesson was standing, lifting heel/toe. Had a major impact on my mind and body.

Katie: The rides I have had in the last few weeks have been really great and these classes have brought me so much awareness of things! The shoulders blade lesson especially helped me.

Delli: It would be fun to just feel my horse now. I always enjoy the hip/pelvis movements but the spirals still amaze me how they work.

Catherine: My riding has felt stagnant for a few years, until I started these classes. Boy was my trainer in a state of shock when she saw me ride after a few classes! And my horse LOVES the new me.

Linda: I feel excited to ride now as I now have feeling in areas that were previously dormant. I feel more balanced. I have noticed how more relaxed in my riding. My trainer has noticed a big change.

Kate: My lower back feels much more available and I feel longer. Would like to ride now…I also think my horse feels my looseness and is looser and more forward.

Carol: My hips & sacrum feel quite supple. I like the turning of the key idea, it seemed to help. The rib basket lesson REALLY helped my neck issues😀

Dilara: My absolute favorite class was the pelvic clock with the soles of the feet touching. It was like my body was completely reprogrammed. My hips weren’t crunchy in the morning like they usually are!

Nancy: The lesson on the swivel seat was most helpful in this class series. It helped my legs hang down better when turned.

John: I would very much like to use these feelings on the horse. I have found that the feelings carry over without thinking about the specifics.

Deborah: Favorite parts are upper body control without stiffness.

Carol: These 6 classes helped me finally find freedom from chronic hip and back pain. Plus the method has improved my seat like no amount of lunge lessons could have done. So incredibly grateful.

Mary: I feel like this culminated in a cohesiveness in my body. In my lesson Tuesday for the first time I felt my horse wait for me to cue him. It was wonderful. My trainer was so happy.

Please check with your doctor before beginning any "exercise" program.