Pilates for the Dressage Rider Clinic Formats
Aimed at riders trying to improve:
Half Halts
Sitting trot
Open hip angle
Harmony at canter.......and more!
Janice is dedicated to helping riders riders of all levels find harmony with their horse through the work of Joseph Pilates. Her clinics are fun and insightful and promote classical dressage.....giving riders a practical understanding of how to use their seat/core for a more effective aids, leaving the legs and hands for finesse work.Clinic formats
Janice clinics begin with her lecture on "Pilates for Dressage" a powerpoint detailing who, what and why of Pilates. She then leads Pilates Ground Work for the rider, usually a two hour morning session. These sessions will introduce the rider to the basic Pilates mat exercises which focus on finding and utilizing the core muscles that Pilates simply refers to as the “Powerhouse” of movement. Besides learning how to locate and utilize these muscles within the exercises, Janice will relate how particular Pilates exercises can inform the musculature necessary for the sport and art of riding dressage. Understanding the “lengthening and collection” of the human spine as well as developing the feel for “engagement” through Pilates is also emphasized to help the rider learn what these concepts mean for the horse in dressage.
Each Pilates Ground Work session has a corresponding Pilates In the Saddle session when access to an equestrian facility is possible. Janice works with two to three riders in 45-minute sessions to explore the use of body awareness found in the Pilates Ground Work exercise session. By applying the musculature of the Pilates work, riders gain new insight on how they can improve their riding abilities to become better partners for their mounts.
Riders of all levels are welcome, with or without prior Pilates experience. Certified Pilates instructors who wish to further their knowledge of dressage to help their equestrian clients are also encouraged to participate in the Pilates Ground Work clinic.Clinics can vary to accommodate day, weekend or weeklong formats.
Sample clinic offerings:
Phase 1 Pilates Ground Work
Introduces the Powerhouse and “wrap” of the Pilates method, which
will directly relate to posture and position/seat on the horse. Specifically
chosen Pilates mat exercises will be worked on to find the “in and up” of
the stomach (core), the “squeeze and scoop” of the bottom and the “wrap” of
the legs. The articulation of the spine required of many Pilates exercises
will introduce the rider to the “feel” for the horse’s ability
to lengthen and collect the spine. Also, the concept of “engagement” of
the rider’s core will help identify engagement in the horse. Emphasis
is on the basic concepts and exercises of Pilates and theoretically how they
will be relative to riding dressage.
Phase 1A Pilates in the Saddle
If an equestrian facility is available, Pilates in the Saddle explores
using the musculature which was experienced in Phase 1 Pilates Ground
Work,
to inform and correct posture and position/seat while mounted. The use of the “stomach
in and up” will teach riders how to perform half
halts, stopping and eventually, backing up a horse. The use of the “squeeze
and scoop” combined with “wrap” of the leg will inform the
rider how to use their seat effectively for proper dressage position as well
as upward transitions. Work will be done mostly at the walk. Participants must
enroll in Phase 1 Pilates Ground Work to be eligible to enroll in
Phase 1A.
Phase
2 Pilates Ground Work
Reviews and deepens the work of Phase 1 Pilates Ground Work for consideration
in posting and sitting trot. This session introduces more Pilates exercises,
which involve bending and twisting to begin the concept of stabilizing the
core for use of the upper body. The exercises will inform the rider how to
stabilize the torso while asking for circling work on the horse. Participants
must have completed Phase 1 to enroll in this session.
Phase 2A Pilates in the
Saddle
If an equestrian facility is available, this session continues Phase 1A Pilates
in the Saddle with exploration both at the walk and at the trot. The rising
and sitting trot will
be addressed in relation to the use of the “wrap” of
the leg to keep the hip angle open during rising trot work and the use of the “scoop” for
deepening the seat and keeping the hip angle open for sitting trot. This phase
begins exploring the use of the musculature learned in Pilates Ground Work
2 to stabilize the torso for circling and begins to address all lateral dressage
work. Participants must have completed Phase 1 and 1 A as well as Phase 2 Pilates
Ground Work to be eligible to enroll in Phase 2A.
For booking a clinic in your area, please contact Janice through this web site or by phone at (217) 239-2694.