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| RIDINGLIGHT and Nisca Warthen Photos, Fun & Helpful Links |
"I met Nisca at a "dressage club" dinner. I don't do
dressage, I do endurance and go out and play on my
horses with the kids, as far as I was concerned dressage
was for sissies. After talking to Nisca at the dinner I
decided to get my first centered riding lesson. Little did I
know that centered riding was going to open up many doors
for me, one of which was dressage. My first lesson was
quite an awakening. I always knew that your body
influences your horse, but I had no idea how much breath
and finding your balance spot, make things that were
always confusing and frustrating become so easy and fun. I
don't know about you, but after years of traditional lessons (
Heels down, shoulders back, eyes up, chest forward), I had
lost the feel of my horse. It was all about doing what I was
told to do not what my body felt was right. My first lesson
with Nisca was amazing. She got me to let go of the
rigidness that comes from telling my horse what to do
through strength and determination. Instead she showed
me how to influence my horse, Daisy, with myself having a
soft back, my eyes being soft, my hips opening and allowing
Daisy to move freely and unencumbered. Wow, it was the
best lesson I had ever had and the first half of it someone
else was leading my horse! Things have changed since
that first lesson 2 years ago. I have learned how to be soft,
or should I say softer? I have learned to ask and not
demand. I have learned that if it doesn't feel right it probably
isn't. Most importantly, when it doesn't feel right for me, then
it doesn't feel right for my horse, but together we can make it
work. This is Nisca's greatest skill, she can see how and
what I need to do to communicate this and can offer me
suggestions that always seem to work. Little did I know
when I started riding with her that I would be doing that
dreaded "Dressage". Now I know why people do it and that
it actually can be fun and it certainly is challenging. I guess
fun doesn't only have to be fast and far, it can also be
finesse and form.
Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks?
Jennifer Kaplan, Endurance Rider, Nov 2004
dressage, I do endurance and go out and play on my
horses with the kids, as far as I was concerned dressage
was for sissies. After talking to Nisca at the dinner I
decided to get my first centered riding lesson. Little did I
know that centered riding was going to open up many doors
for me, one of which was dressage. My first lesson was
quite an awakening. I always knew that your body
influences your horse, but I had no idea how much breath
and finding your balance spot, make things that were
always confusing and frustrating become so easy and fun. I
don't know about you, but after years of traditional lessons (
Heels down, shoulders back, eyes up, chest forward), I had
lost the feel of my horse. It was all about doing what I was
told to do not what my body felt was right. My first lesson
with Nisca was amazing. She got me to let go of the
rigidness that comes from telling my horse what to do
through strength and determination. Instead she showed
me how to influence my horse, Daisy, with myself having a
soft back, my eyes being soft, my hips opening and allowing
Daisy to move freely and unencumbered. Wow, it was the
best lesson I had ever had and the first half of it someone
else was leading my horse! Things have changed since
that first lesson 2 years ago. I have learned how to be soft,
or should I say softer? I have learned to ask and not
demand. I have learned that if it doesn't feel right it probably
isn't. Most importantly, when it doesn't feel right for me, then
it doesn't feel right for my horse, but together we can make it
work. This is Nisca's greatest skill, she can see how and
what I need to do to communicate this and can offer me
suggestions that always seem to work. Little did I know
when I started riding with her that I would be doing that
dreaded "Dressage". Now I know why people do it and that
it actually can be fun and it certainly is challenging. I guess
fun doesn't only have to be fast and far, it can also be
finesse and form.
Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks?
Jennifer Kaplan, Endurance Rider, Nov 2004
Comments from RidingLight Students Nisca not only teaches better riding, but her methods also help to bring about a lasting and mutually beneficial relationship between human and horse in which both are healthier and happier for the interaction. Ca B 2009 Thank you for the riding lesson today. I am truly excited about these lessons. It is so cool to see Cody working so softly and to see a path to getting him “collected”. You are what we were looking for. Ch B 2009 Because of my physical problems, I had been over-compensating and had completely lost my seat. Riding my Arabian mare, Zeera, was a nightmare for both of us. Nisca spotted the seat problem immediately and after our first lesson I am more comfortable in the saddle and Zeera is definitely a happier, calmer horse. Each lesson strengthens our bond and we have a great time. Thank you for making it fun to ride again. BZ 2009 Thank you so much for the lesson today. I finally feel like I am on the right path when it comes to becoming one with my horse. I feel like you are chipping all the mud off of my form and working me and my pony into a better sculpture....Namaste After 30 years of riding I knew it was time to go back to the beginning, to let go of the tension and find that correct seat. The tough part was finding an instructor with the skill and the patience to retrain an equestrian’s body so set in its ways. I was lucky enough to find Nisca Warthen, with her training in classical dressage and a yoga instructor’s eye for anatomical movement, to help me down that path. With her ability to describe “feel” with such clarity, I was able to put words into actions and finally experience the joy of effortless, harmonious, frustration-free riding. Thank you, Nisca, for taking me to the next level. Comments from Yoga for Riders Workshops I loved the yoga/riding workshop at the Red Barn! It was fun and informative and it was nice meeting you!!! I really appreciated how well-organized you were, your friendliness, and professionalism! I was happily sore from head to toe Sun. a.m. The workout was so good for me in many ways…just what the doctor ordered! I enjoyed applying the skills learned to afternoon ride. Again, thanks for everything!! The stretching and keeping the spine in neutral will certainly help me with my riding and everyday life. Keep it up and Thank you! Very Good ! Awareness of my spine, my back, breathing, stretches-wonderful feeling of relaxation grounding when we were through -no stress! It was great! Finding the core lets you do the postures with balance and stay relaxed. keep up the good work! From the "Oh Yes, this feels good" to "Oh My, I'm tight here", it was an all inclusive experience. The persistent emphasis on core, breath, back body and connection(s) to horse really worked for me. Very, very good helpful information with specifics. Best tip for me-dropping my tailbone and abs to protect small of back. Also seat bone feeling at beginning very informative! Very exciting to put my two passions together! I particularly liked the pelvic alignment. This was a great intro class-then future sessions would be great! I especially liked the general principles about working to feel plus specific exercises for specific problems. Great! Comments from Yoga for Riders Workshops with RidingLight lesson Learning balance and correct riding position-and also relaxation! A very good workshop. Truly-just wonderful! Informative, educational, fun and relaxing. Excellent instruction by Nisca. And I got rid of some of the pain in my lower back! Excellent! Good atmosphere, good instruction, nice small class size. Particularly liked getting relaxed and focused before getting on the horse and then re-establishing that on the horse. I love the adjustments Nisca makes while we’re on the horse! Fabulous. Both the yoga and the mounted parts were excellent. I would like the workshop to be offered more often. Excellent. Good combination of relaxation and riding. The yoga was wonderful. I haven’t felt that relaxed in a long time! Would definitely do it again. Excellent. Yoga section was very relaxing and made me aware of how my body feels when it’s straight and at ease, Supportive, thoughtful and well thought out. Breathing and exercises about lowering the center helped a lot with my tense mare Bambi. I developed a sense of ease rather than effort. Great job. Lots of information! Valuable for ‘tense’ riders. I came away with a good deal to think about and remember. I especially like the ‘word visuals’ to help reverse the tendencies toward stiffness and tension while riding. Great! Very nice intro to yoga and some of the postures. It’s more challenging than it looks! What really worked for me was awareness of better balance and posture to help me ride more from my seat and rely less on other aids. Nisca set a very relaxed tone to the workshop. Great! I feel fantastic! I am ready to go out and do just about anything. I feel very balanced and grounded, which I have problems with. I loved all the opening of the hips. |
"I just got done with the most wonderful ride! It was warm
enough to have two of the big doors on the arena open and it
was a beautiful evening and Faith was very relaxed and so
we worked on some of the stuff you showed us. And it was
FABULOUS!
I was thinking while I was riding that THIS is what riding is
supposed to be like! When I was doing it right it was hard
work but effortless at the same time! We did some shoulder
fore and shoulder out at the walk and it was great so then we
just floated right into leg yield at the trot and it was a dream!
We were able to stay out to the edge of the dressage arena
all the way around both on the circle, in the corners and on
the straights and it was fabulous! When I was relaxed it was
so easy, but when it became stiff and awkward I realized I
was tensing up again so could correct it!
I feel like I have leapt light years ahead in the last few
months! I'm so elated! Thank you! Can't wait for next time."
Robyn Redpath, February, 2004
enough to have two of the big doors on the arena open and it
was a beautiful evening and Faith was very relaxed and so
we worked on some of the stuff you showed us. And it was
FABULOUS!
I was thinking while I was riding that THIS is what riding is
supposed to be like! When I was doing it right it was hard
work but effortless at the same time! We did some shoulder
fore and shoulder out at the walk and it was great so then we
just floated right into leg yield at the trot and it was a dream!
We were able to stay out to the edge of the dressage arena
all the way around both on the circle, in the corners and on
the straights and it was fabulous! When I was relaxed it was
so easy, but when it became stiff and awkward I realized I
was tensing up again so could correct it!
I feel like I have leapt light years ahead in the last few
months! I'm so elated! Thank you! Can't wait for next time."
Robyn Redpath, February, 2004
Helpful Links:
www.newhorse.com Find stables, instructors and events in
your area.
http://www.yogafinder.com/ Yoga events, products, retreats,
instructors and info.
http://www.yoga-centers-directory.net/ Yoga directory lists
yoga centers of all yoga traditions to suit the different
demands of all sincere seekers.
http://www.BodyMindSpiritDIRECTORY.org Conscious Living
, Holistic Health , Natural Healing , Spirituality and Green
Resources information at your fingertips by state.
www.newhorse.com Find stables, instructors and events in
your area.
http://www.yogafinder.com/ Yoga events, products, retreats,
instructors and info.
http://www.yoga-centers-directory.net/ Yoga directory lists
yoga centers of all yoga traditions to suit the different
demands of all sincere seekers.
http://www.BodyMindSpiritDIRECTORY.org Conscious Living
, Holistic Health , Natural Healing , Spirituality and Green
Resources information at your fingertips by state.
For the last several years I have been riding with out
instruction and I knew I was developing some bad habits.
I was beginning to feel completely out of sync with my
horse when I rode. That is when I found Nisca. A major
theme for me was bracing and hollowing my lower back and
of course, remembering to breath. Not only breathe but
breathe correctly. Nisca continues to work on these issues
with me and I occasionally have glimmers of brilliance. The
difference in my horse when I get it right is truly amazing.
Nisca is tops in my book!! JK July 2009
instruction and I knew I was developing some bad habits.
I was beginning to feel completely out of sync with my
horse when I rode. That is when I found Nisca. A major
theme for me was bracing and hollowing my lower back and
of course, remembering to breath. Not only breathe but
breathe correctly. Nisca continues to work on these issues
with me and I occasionally have glimmers of brilliance. The
difference in my horse when I get it right is truly amazing.
Nisca is tops in my book!! JK July 2009