Discover the power of DTM Skeletal Strength! Improved stability and strength for riders.  This series of classes will deliver on many fronts. Don't be surprised if you reduce spinal compression and end up measurably taller.

And for your riding, you might find yourself sitting more correctly, more effectively and applying more subtle aids. And, your horse might just respond in a positive way to these subtleties:-) 

Different from "core" training, find your uprightness or "positive tension" without becoming stiff.

And this DTM class series does all that but the main purpose, and huge benefit, is that these classes help maximize bone health and improve bone density.

A must for every rider!!!

This series has been taught several times, both online and in person. It is a series of 6 classes, a tribute to Dr. Ruthy Alon, Creator of Bones For Life.

Class Series on Skeletal Strength

Skeletal Strength. Such an important subject! One of the immediate benefits is that we learn to have the feeling and appearance of strength, without the usage of lots of muscle. 

Daily impact of concussion on spine, it can be a good or bad thing.. depends on how we do it!

These classes will consider the daily impact on the spine from hours spent in the saddle and will give instruction on how to eliminate and avoid spinal compression, pain, and stiffness in our body.  Of special interest: These lessons were originally designed by Feldenkrais practitioner Dr. Ruthy Alon to to both avoid and reverse osteoporosis.  The main thought, correct concussion gives us better bone density. So why not do it the right way, since we are already doing it!  Bone density concerns are a global women's health issue.

According to a study by Harvard Health, “Bone strength starts to decline at an average rate of 1% per year after age 40. About 10.2 million Americans have osteoporosis, which is defined by weak and porous bones, and another 43 million are at risk for it. Numerous studies have shown that weight-bearing exercise can help to slow bone loss, and several show it can even build bone.”  

After decades of working directly with and alongside Dr. Feldenkrais, Dr. Alon got to an age where she had to think about osteoporosis. Her Feldenkrais brain told her it can't be just about diet or genetics, but led her to think about the benefits of weight bearing training, therefore improving bone strength and density using impactful movement and weight bearing posture.

Alleviating Pain and Discomfort

For riders the daily impact on the spine can take a considerable toll. if we would like to ride like The Queen did, well into our 90s, or if we simply want to eliminate pain and stiffness, or avoid/reverse osteoporosis - we must consider the strength of our bones and efficiency of our skeletal system to absorb impact from daily riding.

German study: Influence of the riding discipline and riding intensity on the incidence of back pain in competitive horseback riders.  Conclusion: Compared to the general population, there is a high incidence of back pain is found among riders. 

Find out for yourself why riders of all levels and ages are raving about DTM! 

"An incredible difference in refining my aids, as well as getting out of chronic pain, tension and anxiety, so I can truly enjoy the horses!." Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel, MD. 

"I often recommend Feldenkrais to patients in my chiropractic practice as a tool to understand where your body is in space and to make cognitive corrections to change how your body moves in space. Dave is a pioneer in marrying a technique that teaches body awareness to riders. He is on the cusp of a huge movement that is going to sweep the dressage world, as we better understand how our physical body can be changed through cognitive methods. He has furthered my understanding of the changes that I can make in my body to be a better rider. I strongly recommend that you investigate the Dave Thind Method," Lauren Dembkoski Adelizi, Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine and Grand Prix rider, NY. 

“You have to experience it to believe it. I have first-hand, witnessed and experienced powerful, undeniable and almost unbelievable improvement in both posture and motor function using the Dave Thind Method,” attested Dr. Hollis Day. Dr. Day, who is head of Geriatrics at Boston Medical, is a lifelong hunter/jumper competitor that now trains and competes in dressage. “Dave’s highly advanced knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics and how humans learn is something every rider can benefit from," she added. Dr. Hollis Day, M.D. Head of Geriatrics, Boston Medical

The Goal

Preventing and alleviating pain and discomfort and bringing riders to their optimal form when riding. The uniqueness of this program based on Dr. Alon's work lies in its use of weight-bearing patterns to teach safe transmission of force through the skeleton, without causing "shearing stress" in vulnerable joints but rather, making these forces beneficial. Not only to have a better looking seat that feels better to us and our horses, but for our health for decades to come. It is said that the human skeleton regenerates every 7-10 years.  It forms and grows to its adult size in a process called modelling and then in an ever present effort towards adapting, it completely regenerates. This is known as remodelling, and this process happens every 7-10 years. Clearly, not only are we what we eat, but our skeletal system is similar - depending on the amount of correct bone-building impulses it is fed.

Learn to Have a Comfortable Seat

During the Skeletal Strength classes, riders will learn how to filter concussive forces (coming into our body from the horse) through a correctly aligned and weight bearing skeleton, which clearly helps us in our riding, giving us a more efficient and elegant seat. A comfortable seat which affords us the opportunity for invisible yet clear communication with our seat.

"If we're going to be riding and introducing concussive force through the skeleton anyway, it would be such a shame to miss out on these easy tools which help us excel in our riding and provide an avenue for improved health.  The topic of bone health is of particular interest to women's health, and I think this education needs to be delivered and spread within the equestrian community," stated Dave Thind.

Through the simple, effective movement classes, you will learn gradually and safely how to:  

• Stimulate your bone strength and experience the "biological optimism" of a reliable skeleton
• Coordinate a springy and dynamic walk
• Align your posture into safe weight-bearing uprightness
• Develop your skill of restoring equilibrium 
• Enhance the pleasure of moving

Themes include:  

• Promoting an optimally upright posture  

• Aligning the spine to prevent cervical and lumbar compression  

• Facilitating postural stability in all weight-bearing activities  

• Distributing loads proportionally throughout the entire skeletal system  

• Cultivating anatomical flexibility of the joints, and resilience of the bones  

• Upgrading the ability of bone to withstand pressure by using rhythmic pulsations  

• Training the hip joints to safely sustain body weight while in motion  

• Restoring functional springiness to the knees

PEP IN YOUR STEP!

Bone strengthening and alignment give you a springy step and ‘walking on air’ feeling. Dr Alon's program "Bones For Life" based on Feldenkrais principles is billed as a program to help avoid or reverse osteoporosis, which is now an epidemic in the US, but its benefits go further.

In this series of 6 Zoom classes (on demand videos, but you have access to Dave), you will learn how to filter concussive forces (coming into our body from the horse) through a correctly aligned and weight bearing skeleton, which clearly help you in your riding, giving you a more efficient and elegant seat. A comfortable seat can afford us the opportunity for invisible yet clear communication with our seat. This is something that many of the top riders in the world already know how to do, but this program in particular could help any of them too! And as an added benefit, it has huge potential for improved health.

MOTIVATION TO IMPROVE 

I'm Not Riding as Well as I was 5 Years ago, and Neither are my Peers"

Aging with grace, or buying ourselves more time to enjoy our horses, eventually becomes a concern for every rider.  Certainly, in our sport, improving as we age is possible! However, most riders accept and feel that at a certain point, there is an inevitable decline.  

“'I’m not riding as well as I was 5 years ago, and neither are my colleagues who are the same age' a top professional aged 60 confided in me," said Dave Thind. “So the idea to do something about it in a safe and comfortable way is very attractive. Who wouldn’t want to improve their riding, buy some more time and improve their health."  

If you have questions about your specific concerns, please email Dave directly at [email protected]