ride with your mind -mary wanless

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jo2507

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Hi all, I wondered if anyone on here has any experience with the RWYM or ever been on a simulator course @ Overdale?

Be really interested to hear ideas

I struggle with an inbalance in the use of my left leg and sit heavier to left so am always open to ideas that could help me improve :)
 
From experience of many years of RWYM lessons, I'd say you'd be better doing pilates (get some 1 to 1 instruction first so that you get proper instruction on the basics, rather than joining a large class). Pilates will help you find your core strength, help you to recognise when you are not straight and give you the information you need to put yourself right. It will also stretch out all the areas that get tight with riding so you'll find where you have problems and have the exercises to help you get even. I'd also suggest a physio ball, sitting on that while watching TV will help you to find your balance, but you need the pilates and core strength work to put yourself right without distorting yourself.

RWYM is really good for position but it can be a very very long time before you get out of walk. I'd say pilates and a very good instructor would be more useful.
 
Not sure if this is any use to you OP but recently the lady who does physiotherapy for my horse came and watched me ride and then put me on her table and showed me how to hold my pelvis etc slightly differently to be in better balance. If you have that option perhaps that would be helpful? Many horse physios have trained as human physios so you may find somebody. Otherwise RWYM can be good as it does promote awareness of where your body is but I'd definitely go for one on one sessions if you can. Good luck!
 
Thank you all for your replies.

I had decided maybe RWYM DVD's might be the answer (although very expensive) as I just can't find a Pilates class in my area (Grantham)

Have tried physio's ostepaths chiro etc and never got to the bottom of it, my pelvis I think is still inline at the moment but I get a lot of pain in left lower back and bum and just keep grabbing at straws in a hope to fix myself to be honest.

Thank you all again, I think maybe I will leave the RWYM for now and continue the Pilates search and see if I can find a physio who looks at both horse and rider anything is worth a try

Thank you
 
I have had some very successful Cranio treatment with Julie Houghton, on http://www.equinetherapyservices.co.uk/component/content/article/94-equine-therapy-services ,who helps both me and my horse. As well as the Cranio she is a wicked trainer who has got the most out of my horse and I than anyone else. It is like my physical issues melt away.

If you are interested in Pilates though, Julie has introduced me to Georgie Barnes on http://www.georgiebarnesequestrian.co.uk/ who does Pilates for riders and also lessons. It is in Derby, so probably not suitable for a regular class, if you live in Grantham, but she told me that if I had a lesson and a Pilates session she would help me with exercises to do at home that would stop me being so weak and crooked. She was with Julie when I had my lesson at her yard, and was very insightful.

I have also had a lesson with Mary Wanless, and it was great, but she is in so much demand that I could not get a follow up lesson. I don't know about the courses that they run.
 
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I spent 3 years doing lessons with Suzanne Marshall who has lessons with Mary Wanless, I did a two day course with her, twice because it was so good. I still use the techniques today. It really helps with balance and position and leads to you being more secure in the saddle. Pilates is recomended as it helps with core stability. There is a book, I got a second hand version from amazon, that is really helpful. The concept itself is really simple, not rocket science although really thinking about what you are doing and moving weight around your body is hard work at first! If you are aware of your issues riding then you are half way there solving them.
 
I was lucky enough to have 5 lessons with Mary back in the late 80's and I have never forgotten what she taught me, and put it into practice everyday. Whether other instructors can teach her methods so well, I do not know.
 
Hi Red 1

Thank you very much for all your advise I am willing to travel so will look into a visit to Georgie.


Thank you Susistokes2 I have just ordered a couple of books from Mary, I hope I can put some of it in to practice
 
Google Denise O Reilly who has trained with Mary for many years (as well as lots of well known grand prix riders). She holds regular clinics in Nottinghamshire. Details are on her website.
 
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