Improving Flexibility For A Better Ride

Anyone who gets back on a horse after months/years away from the barn is reminded that riding uses muscles that you forget you have. The needed combination of flexibility, strength and control to be an effective rider makes for quite a work out! This year, I went looking for something that could improve my riding between lessons – and found exactly what I was looking for with PiYo.

Last November, during my husband’s deployment, I had to make a decision – put my life on hold (again) thanks to yet another military separation or choose to use the time to knock out some of my goals. I decided that I was tired of making long term plans while letting the days slip by.

The most significant of those goals played on each other. I wanted to focus on getting stronger + losing weight while getting back in the show ring. Developing myself into a more educated and intentional rider meant going to back to the basics, which led to me to start dressage lessons with Deirdre Dressage. Making the switch from a hunter/jumper position to an effective dressage seat has been a process…an often painful process. I’ve always thought of myself as being somewhat flexible, but it quickly became obvious that my hamstrings were tight, my hip flexors worse and my lower back tighter than a drum. Attempting a soft, following seat to encourage Elf to use his back when you’re own body is in knots feels like tying myself into a pretzel.

So I started searching for something that would improve my fitness, work on my flexibility and develop my core strength.

I tried a Crossfit box, Barre workouts, a regular gym, and yoga classes. But nothing stuck. My busy schedule – pulled between work, family and the barn – made it tough to get to classes and the gym. Crossfit made me so sore it was tough to stick to my riding schedule.

Then, I found PiYo.

What is PiYo?

Developed by top fitness pro Chalene Johnson, PiYo is a combination of Pilates and Yoga moves put together in dynamic, flowing sequences that can burn serious calories while they lengthen and strengthen muscles and increase flexibility. It is offered by Beachbody – DVDs that can be done at home – although there are certified instructors at gyms across the country teaching live classes.

Why PiYo For Riders?

When we ride, our horses tell on us. Every bit of asymmetry in our bodies translates to the horse. Our leg aid may be stronger on one side, a collapsed hip might make the left lead tough to pick up. Basic imbalances are a part of life, especially for working adults. Long hours at your desk or on your feet can cause rounded shoulders, tightness in the lower back, inflexible hamstrings and locked up hip flexors.

PiYo’s focus on balance and flexibility helps to do a number of things that improve posture:

• lengthen the spine
• stabilize the core by building strength (seriously, the planks!)
• supple the lower back for a more following seat
• stronger, more definite half halts through more developed abs
• improving hip flexibility for a more independent seat and a draped, longer leg.

Now You’re Sitting!

For the first several months of dressage lessons, my trainer was having to constantly prompt me to *SIT DOWN AND BACK*. My default position is a slightly defensive forward seat with my weight in my heels – appropriate for a hunter/jumper rider. But my lack of flexibility and core strength made even that position ineffective. I couldn’t get my weight to stay back and off my horse’s forehand, making it so much harder for him to develop the needed strength to sit down and push from behind.

But slowly, things began to improve. The increase flexiblity, particularly in my back and hip flexors, meast that my seat more stable. This allowed me to infleuence more horse more specifically and precisely both in applying corrections and rewarding when he tried! The core strength that is improving bit by bit means my half-halts have a more immediate effect (seriously saving my biceps, by the way). The combination of strength and endurance allows me to provide Elf with the more supportive ride he needs to grow stronger and more confident.

Want to give it a try?

Now is the perfect time! Coming into the fall is the perfect time to focus on improving your own fitness and strength to help you make the most of your winter season. You can try PiYo on your own or contact me to join Fit2Ride – my Facebook group where we share recipes, support and accountability. Because it’s always more fun with friends!

Some readers have reported having issues clicking on the links to get more information about PiYo. If this happens to you, please email me at kristen@ifthesaddlefits.com so I can make sure you get the information you’re looking for!