Have you ever wanted to ride your horse as if there were nothing between you and them? Have you wished
you were that '"natural" rider you've heard of? Do you despair of ever moving as one with your horse in
freedom and grace? Or perhaps you've suffered some injury or illness that prevents relaxation and freedom of
movement while riding or going about your daily activities or maybe you're just ready to let go of old
restrictions or bindings in your life and body.
Nisca Warthen, a classically trained horsewoman and Integrative Yoga Therapy Yoga teacher and Certified BodyTalk
Practitioner, who has also studied with Wendy Murdoch, provides help for the rider who struggles with their body due to injury or
is not the "natural" rider that finds balance, movement and grace on a horse so easy. Nisca offers Riding Light, a combination
of classical horsemanship, techniques from the Murdoch Method, Yoga for Riders and other body therapies to unlock, balance
and connect riders in movement with their horses. Once the rider finds a release of pain, combined with balance and freedom
of movement within their body, they can let go and get out of the horses way achieving communication that is subtle and
efficient. Riding Light students learn that the majority of horse resistance can quickly be remedied once the rider becomes
aware of and releases unconscious patterns of movement.
Nisca Warthen has been riding horses since childhood. She has competed in and trained western, hunter and dressage.
Along the way, life stresses and multiple automobile accidents began to add wear and tear to her body. She found that the
comfortable movement once possible on the horse had deteriorated. She realized that her body had begun to challenge her
position, effectiveness and ease in the saddle. Traditional riding instructors and trainers were not able to help her regain the
fluidity, unlock her body or connect in movement with her horse as she once had. They told her what to do (sit deeper, balance,
relax) but could not help her understand how to get her body to do it. This realization led her to Centered Riding and the practice
of Yoga. Nisca started her practice of yoga in 1974 and became certified as a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy practitioner in 1999
and followed that up in 2003 with Integrative Yoga Therapy Teacher training and certification . She began her study of Centered
Riding in 1997 and received recognition as a Level II Instructor in 2001. Nisca moved on to study with Wendy Murdoch and has
continued to work with Wendy when ever possible. Ever interested in knowledge of the connection for the rider and well being
of the horse, Nisca has continued to study the body, movement and horsemanship through the years. Nisca's awareness of the
working of the human body, knowledge of classical horsemanship and horses, and gentle teaching style will help you become
the rider you dream of. Contact Nisca for information or to schedule private or group lessons.... All with the intent of RidingLight
in mind, body and spirit.