Aikido - Frist Class

Aikido


Firstly: the reason I wanted to take up 'Aikido' was because of a book that 'Lillian' gave me by 'Mark Rashid'. Without going into much detail: it has helped him immensley in rethinking and improving his riding style (especially timing) and his way with the horses. Intrigued by it I began reading up on what Aikido is and liked what I read.

Much about 'being one' was mentioned on various sites where I had been reading about Aikido. This I found most interesting, as this is in a way how I see the partnership between 'Mr F' and 'I' ... to very separate beings becoming one (hopefully!). I have also seen this being mentioned several times by
Klaus F Hempfling, who's way of looking at and dealing with horses I find most interesting.

I asked 'Lillian' and her partner 'Tom' if they would be interested.

Most suitable and convenient, there was an Aikido Dojo in the town right near us - only a 10 minute drive away.

I rang up to make a few enquiries which were answered promptly and most helpfully.

And so, yesterday evening, we went to our first Aikido Class.

'Lillian' and 'Tom' have practised Karate before for some time but I was completely new to this and I very excited. I could hardly wait to get there!


I was instructed to wear loose clothing if I didn't have a Gi Suit (a what?). I found a pair of wide leg summer trousers and as top I used an oversized men's shirt (my standard outfit in summer, jeans and an oversided men's shirt tied in a knot around my waist). As the shirt was way too big I cut off part of the sleeve and as a belt I used the belt of my white dressing gown.

Everyone was very polite and respectful to each other.

Together we placed  the rubber mats on the floor; it was a good way of getting to know one another. Then the men went to change in a curtained off area while we changed in the actual dojo.

While some were still getting ready, the rest of us spent some time chatting.

The instructor was wondering if I had done this before; as apparently I had a very good body posture. My reply: 'no but I have spent much of my youth skiing and icescating, and now I ride' - His face lit up in interest: 'Ah, yes, riding!' 

I got the impression that there seemed to be a theme going on with riders joining Aikido dojos ... apparently there were others they knew who rode.

The way the instructor spoke about the riding, also from a spiritual level and the 'being one' I had to ask if he had ridden himself. Yes, he had, long time ago.

'Lillian' knew the instructor as she has been in the orchestra with him. Its interesting for me as I myself spent a good 20 years of my life playing and eventually teaching music.

What do music, riding and Aikido have in common:
Timing, feel, and a good deal of spirituality.

Eventually we all took up our position; kneeling (sitting on our heels) facing the instructor. After we showed our respect to the founder of Aikido, we did warming up stretching.

I think at 42 I was propably the youngest in the room!

Then we were shown some moves that we then had to practise in pairs or groups of 3 and 4.

Initially, it was quite overwhelming as I was trying to get to grips with what it was all about. That perhaps is the only critisim I had; lack of clear instructions of what to do. What was it all about?!

I was a little puzzled as I was expecting to work in a more forceful manner. Yet in fact it is all like a dance, or as 'Tom' put it: like poetry. Yes, it is about defence, the entire thought behind Aikido is to end any attack in a peaceful manner.

It is amazing just how simple it is to move an attacker out of his / her balance by manipulating their center core / their balance. I am not good at describing this. It is all about yielding and moving from your centre point. Mostly you do this physically but much more can be achieved if the mind is there too. That is very important for the timing ... it becomes a feel, intuition, instinct. Its not so much about reading your oppononent but also to accept his attack and then deflecting it without hurting. Of course, if necessary, much damage can be done. It amazes me how well joint locks work ... and it does not matter how tall, small, strong or weak you are because its all about moving, feeling, timing. Most of all it is about TIMING and BALANCE.

The center is seemingly where you hips are, everthing works from there. Just like riding.

Have a look at this video, which shows quite a few of the moves we did so you get an idea.

 

There were several moves that we practised that really made my mind blow, simply because I never ever looked at balance and yielding and moving in this manner.

I try to describe one move;  we were in pairs. One is kneeling on the floor, the other is playing the attacker; trying to push over sideways the person kneeling. First off, the person kneeling would do so with a ridgid, tense body. Immediately, the attacker can push you over, there is nothing you can do, the more ridgid you go, the more likely you are just falling like a dead tree. Then, the person kneeling rather than being ridgid, relaxes their body. Loose shoulders etc, but concentrating on the body's center point /place. Now amazingly, it is impossible to be pushed over! No matter how hard you try to push, its not workin! And to tip the attacker out of balance, the person kneeling simply yields to the pressure; and the attacker will loose balance.

Time flew and I was quite dissapointed when it was finished. I wanted to contiune, I wanted to know more!.  

I am very interested to see how this affects my riding, it certainly already has helped me to transfer my balance ... 

Also noteworthy: I returned back to the farm feeling very peaceful. 

Body Whispering - Neill

Neill had been to visit 'Mr F' to check him out on Tuesday.

"Neill ofers an Integrated Therapy approach and uses Mc Timoney-Corley Chiropractor, Equine Touch and Cranio-Sacral Therapist and Visceral, Neural, Vascular Manipulation Therapy."

Basically, I wanted to get to the root of the problem of 'Mr F's stiff backside. Neill was recommended to us by our barefoot trimmer lady. Neill has treated 'Princess Leia' twice and she seems much happier within herself.

I decided to book Neill for 'Mr F'.

I cannot really explain in words what he has done. The entire visit was a little overwhelming for myself as I kind of learnt a lot and yet at the same time it leaves me puzzled and intrigued  ...

Many refer to Neill as 'The Body Whisperer'.

While he was working on 'Mr F', Neill noticed that there was a displacement of the kidney and liver, most likely caused by a trauma some time ago. I do not know if 'Mr F' ever had a fall when he was racing, in fact I know nothing about his past except for the fact he won a few races. 

In addition, Neill also recognised and adjusted a not symetrically aligned pelvis (pointing forwards). He also checked up on 'Mr F's prostate. And then there was a bone that was assymetric in 'Mr F's anus and yes, Neill showed me where it was so that I could feel it before and after he worked on it.

The entire time 'Mr F' was looking at me as if to say: 'Is this guy ok touching me?' - 'Yes, its fine. Relax.'

'Mr F' was at times very confused and looked at me for confirmation 'hey, its still feeling odd, you letting him do it?' - 'Yes, just hang in there'. 

'Mr F' was observing Neill very intensly and examined him every now and then. It made us both smile at times to view the rather puzzled expression on 'Mr F's face. A face than then suddenly softened, as though some heavy burden fell off his shoulders, follwed by sighs of relief and much yawning. 

Whatever it was the Neill did, it seems to have had an effect.

I cannot help but ask and question everything and Neill patiently answered many of my questions. I think he realised that I was kind of hesitant in trusting that his way of work would be fruitful.

Eventually Neill thought that this was  enough for one session and that we give 'Mr F' some time to digest it all and for his body to get used to the changes. I could tell that he felt his own body was a little different now; but he seemed happy with it.

Until Neill's next visit, it is now my job to work correctly with 'Mr F'. Most of all I have to make him move from behind.

Neill also said there was nothing wrong with me riding in a bareback pad. He knows several people who have done the same for similar reasons.

One thing that was immediately noticable: 'Mr F' was carrying himself much better after the treatment, which lasted well over an hour.

Since Neill's visit I have been out riding twice and I do notice a difference, mostly when going up and downhill. He strides out nicely going up hill. And downhill his hip movements are smooth with a lovely swing. And he certainly is filling up his back, particularily the area above his shoulders which was sunken in, Neill said that I probably had the saddle placed to far foward, judging by the still vaguely visible imprint. I still feel bad about that and feel very ignorant.

To be continued ....

Trotting Without Stirrups - A Challenge

We had a lesson on Sunday; shared with 'Lady Jane' and 'Lillian'.

I did a fair amount of sitting trott ... however, I was not happy with it. We filmed it upon my request because I wanted to see my posture and 'Mr F's movements / face. Was he uncomfortable, etc etc.

Afterwards I had a quick glimps at the video and from what little I could see, it was not as bad as I thought it had been.

Lets put it that way: sitting trott is a challenge!

I cannot get the timing right and feel like I am bouncing like a tennis ball! It's not I that I am concerned about, it's 'Mr F's well being that I care about. There has to be a way to make this a smooth affair. 

At the present time it is clear to me that I am way too stiff in my upper body and core. I am trying too hard and thinking too much, which in turn reflects in my body stiffening. And so I miss the timing and rather than being WITH 'Mr F's rhytm, I am trying to follow it, which of course won't work.

I can see this taking a looooooooooooooooong time to sort it out. But I am patient.

Thanks to the internet, there is much information to be found and I watched various videos online. Although most of them showed riders that were equally bouncy and didn't really have a solution that worked for me.

I even made a makeshift 'horse' - a stool with a square top onto which I placed some padding to somwhat similate the back of a horse ... roughly speaking. It's main purpose was for me to learn to lift myself off the horses' 'back' using just my leg / seat muscles. Well once more I am finding new muscles I didn't know I had.

Time will tell ...

From The Horse's Mouth

Today was tooth day.

'Mr F' and little 'Sam' have had their dental appointement. Due to both their age, this is recommended every 6 months. Teeth are important of course so that they can digest and absorb their food.

Little 'Sam'  needs to be sedated to have his teeth done. 

Here he is, after it all had been done,  resting his head dozily against the wall. 

As though he had too much to drink in the pub ...

'Mr F': after each dentist visit, the 'new' teeth feel a little odd for a while ... 

The overall diagnosis: 'Mr F's teeth are in good condition and there is nothing to worry about.

Every breath you take - Bareback Pad

'Lillian' and I went on a ride again yesterday, this time for a little over an hour.  I and also 'Mr F' are getting used to the new feel and are building up our muscles. In my case its my core and the legs, in his case its his back and the shoulders where the saddle used to cause pressure.

This time the route had a few terrain changes and I yet again getting to know muscles I didn't know I had!

So far my obeservations:

My lower body belongs to 'Mr F' - it moves along with his body's movement. If it doesn't or if I stiffen up, he has to correct and his gait becomes unbalanced.

I feel every breath 'Mr F' takes, even though there is quite a bit of padding between us. Its a lovely feeling!

Upper body - sit upright, don't sit like a bag, its not a sofa. Now I have the freedom to find my position and I am still working on this. 'Mr F' is quite good at pointing out when I'm not in the right place. I couldn't do that in the saddle because of the stirrups. It isn't actually sitting as such. Its a very straight posture, by that I mean: if someone would pull the horse from under me, I would still stand upright.

My weight is spread down my thighs rather than on 'Mr F's spine. Even with the padding I do keep clear of his spine, for several reasons.

'Mr F' was very relaxed throughout the ride and his movement was so much more free, noticable especially when going downhill.

So far so good ...

Bareback Pad - First Rides

The Bareback Pad has arrived! We went to test it out in the menage first, just in case 'Mr F' wasn't happy with it but all was fine.

To test further, 'Lillian' and I went out yesterday with the pad and just did a short roundabout ride (30 minutes-ish). I am very pleased with the pad and it doesn't slide at all. The padding protecting his withers is fantastic and we both feel much more comfortable.

 The pad.

'Mr F' with the pad.

He strides out much nicer and stumbles less.

For me however it is a case of going back to square one. Although I am a fit person and thanks to skiing and iceskating in my childhood and general outdoors activities I do have a quite fit body.

But after this 30 minute ride on the pad I realised I had muscles I didn't know I had!

It will take me a while to get my body (legs) used to it so I can do longer distances. 

But the overall feeling of being without those stirrups is great. Of course now it is all down to balance. 

However, it is important to note that I would ride with just a pad would I not completely trust 'Mr F'.

Especially since I now am starting from square one.

'Mr F' seems happy with the pad and he doesn't walk off when he sees it. He even is lowering his head again so I can put on the bridle where as before, when the saddle became unbearable for him, he would turn away his head.

Although the pad is padded, it still offers me a much more direct contact than the saddle. 'Mr F' reacts much quicker to my aids, too. In fact I don't need to do a lot at all now, its wonderful! 

Even chaning gaits is much easier as I can work with opening my hips, which is enough for 'Mr F' to know that he can pick up speed.

This bareback pad has a good side for 'Lillian' too: she no longer has to hear my complaints about stirrups!

Now its a matter of time for me to work out how to move with 'Mr F'!

The Bareback Pad - Research

Recognising 'Mr F's dissaproval of the saddle I went on the hunt for bareback pads. 'Mr F' does have quite high withers so going without padding would mean discomfort for both me and him. 

I spent much time researching online because I wasn't quite sure if I should go bareback or not and discussed the pros and cons with various horse health professionals.

My gut insticts (those that I am learning to listen to instead of overthinking!) told me that I should go bareback, it seemed the only logical solution for our dilemma (zero budget, ill fitting saddle and horse that moves much better without saddle).

One of the jobs of a saddle is of course the weight distribution. It is a solid piece of equipment on the horses back and so your weight is spread over a larger area, meaning it won't create pressure points IF fitted correctly. With this in mind I of course wondered about weight recommendations in general.

It appears that, as rule, the ideal weight for a rider is about 10% of the horse's weight. My guess is that 'Mr F' weighs about 550 kg, and I weigh around 48 kg. That is less than 10% of his mass. Mind you, all my weight on a tiny point is still more than enough to create unwanted pressure.

However, the weight is just one point to consider. You can be light as a feather yet be a very heavy rider and a heavy rider can be a 'light' rider when they move with the horse. I have observed both so far.

And so, while researching on the bareback riding topic I came across many articles about saddles. What stuck out most was what I had already experienced myself: a saddle does need to fit the horse AND the rider. 

I have straight from the start had an issue with stirrups.  'Lillian' had to listen to my complaints plenty a time!  On some saddles I felt they were set back too much, on others they were set forward too much. Resulting in me not being able to find a natural balanced with stirrups. This often resulted in my knees would hurting after a while, especially if I was riding in a saddle with knee rolls. I also noticed that when it was cold weather, my toes would freeze no matter how many socks I put on, I can only connect this with lack of blood flow doe to the stirrups. I apparently have 'Raynod's Syndrome' (I call it 'temperamental blood vessels') which is most noticeable in winter. But overall I seem to be incompatible with stirrups, perhaps I have a strange body shape, I don't know.

There are many bareback pads out there and most of them are horrendous. What worried me was that many of them are fitted with stirrups. Not only is that dangerous as the pad will most likely slip, but  it will create pressure points puts on the horses back / shoulders. If you need stirrups, stick with a saddle so it can distribute your weight.

Many bareback pads are quite flimsy and of a flat shape. None of them seem to be suitable for 'Mr F's wither shape.

Being bi-lingual I also spent some time researching on German horse forums.   

Eventually I came across a maker called 'Barefoot' (from Belgium). They have various bareback pads and also treeless saddles in their range and they all look really well made. One of their pads was specifically designed for horses with high withers. They called it a 'Physio' pad. I liked the look of it and the fact that there is amble of padding can be removed, added, replaced or adjusted, depending on requirements. Together with the girth it comes to about £300.00, a sum that I could just about stomach.

I did a little further research on this pad and read various reviews on German riding forums. There wasn't anything negative said about it, in fact many riders had chosen this pad for similar reasons as mine and both them and their horses greatly enjoy it. 

It appears I have found a suitable pad. The order has been placed. 

Meanwhile 'Mr F' and I doodle around on the ground, go for walks and generally spend time together.

I enjoy the 'downtime' just as much as the riding time; both are equally important. I don't mind not riding for a week or so. It's a good opportunity to learn their means of communication as well and just to be part of their world.

Hopefully the pad arrives before the weekend.