Tai Chi for Horsemanship with Kate Roux
Do you wish to feel at one with your horse? For most of us, that is the ultimate connection. But how to you reach it? How do you create that amazing feeling of complete harmony and oneness? Well, it’s actually very simple. But not easy!
Horses are so sensitive that they respond to the slightest changes in our bodies and breath. In fact, they are like giant mirrors, reflecting us and emphasising how we are and what we do. Therefore, any changes we make will be reflected by them. Great horse people create relaxed horses with beautiful posture by creating that in their own bodies. And, in this course, you will learn how to do that too.
There are three elements to this course. Firstly, you work on the ground, away from the horse, to devel- op your own posture, balance and breath control.
Then you go and work with our horses. We teach you easy practises on breathing, balance and movement, which have a considerable influence on your horse.
And thirdly, we reward the horse for responding to your changes and looking for connection with you.
You don’t have to be perfect, just practice and the horse will do his best to tune into what you intend.
It’s magic!
"Kate found a lot of key issues I was totally unaware of and gave me specific ques and exercises to do. I know doing them will make a substantial difference...in both my physical and mental well-being" - Jess Peterson, Spain
The course is taught jointly by Rachel Bedingfield and Kate Roux. They both studied for many years with James Shaw, Tai Chi expert and author of Ride from Within. Rachel is the horsemanship expert and she will lead your sessions with the horses, helping you to achieve balance, harmony and connection with your chosen horse.
Kate is a highly qualified remedial massage therapist and teacher of the self-healing Tai Chi she learned from James. She will lead daily exercise sessions to help you explore your breath, balance and posture and correct those out-of-
line postural problems. You will learn a simple daily routine which you can do just before you work with your horse.
This will mentally and physically prepare you to be calm, relaxed and poised as you train; qualities your horse will
Daily Programe
Before breakfast, Kate will start the day with a Tai Chi class. This will wake up our body and calm you mind before we start working with the horses. These sessions will follow the same pattern, so you will learn a daily routine that works your whole body and can be done in 20 minutes at home.
After breakfast, you’ll work with a horse of your choice with Rachel. Starting on the ground, we’ll focus on making a great connection through your body and breath, and responding to your horse’s connection to you. As the days progress, you will find yourself working deeper and deeper, as you and your horse develop your relationship. You will be astonished at how little you need to do when you communicate at this level.
Lunch will be in the early afternoon, followed by siesta and lounging by the pool. During this time, Kate will be available for you to book an individual massage. We then gather together early evening for a detailed look at aspects of the Tai Chi practice which impact most on your horseman- ship. This is a fun interactive session, taught by both Kate and Rachel and may even involve a dunk in the pool if you’re up for it!
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
- Sun-hat and tough shoes/boots.
- Notebook and pen
- Water bottle
- Sun-tan and Insect Creams
- Swim-suit
- Towels and Bedding Provided
Arrival: from 2pm 31st May
Tuition Days: 1st & 2nd June
Departure: 12pm 3rd June
Arrrival: from 2pm 25th October
Tuition Days: 26th & 27th October
Departure: 12pm 28th October
Price Includes:
- 2 FULL days tuition
- Use of Centre horses and facilities
- 3 nights accommodation in a shared room (max 3 per room).
- All meals, including unlimited wine with evening meals.
- Full use of our pretty villa, with garden and solar-heated pool.
- Transfers from Granada Airport and Loja Bus Station (Express Coach from Malaga)
Not Included: Flights, travel costs etc to the Centre (except transfers from Granada Airport and Loja bus station), Compulsory Travel Insurance covering horse-based activities (required).
444 Euros
Book Your Place!
Transfer information for courses held at Cortijo de Segura
From Malaga Airport:
ALSA bus company runs buses from Malaga Airport and Malaga Bus Station:
You can buy tickets on line: it’s best to book in advance to be certain of a seat.
www.alsa.com - then search for buses from Malaga to Loja.
There is also an ALSA ticket office directly outside Malaga airport arrivals. (Be aware that not all buses leave from and terminate at the airport – there are more frequent buses from the bus station).
We will meet you at Loja by arrangement. Please confirm your arrival time with us.
Our preferred pick up time is 16:00 at Loja and we would ask you to organise your travel accordingly. We can arrange alternative pick up times but - as you may appreciate – courses are busy and staff and transport availability limited.
Similarly, for drop off for your return flight from Malaga, the first bus leaves Loja at 8:40 (arriving Malaga Airport at 10:30) so you will need to arrange your flights to suit. Check ALSA website for all journeys – times subject to change.
Should you wish to travel from Malaga Airport to Malaga Bus Station, there is a regular shuttle bus that leaves from directly outside arrivals (3 euro). Frequency – approx. 15-20mins - leaves from a blue stand (autobus aeropuerto).
Similarly, at Malaga Bus station the airport bus leaves from blue stand at right angles to main bus stands. There is a left luggage facility at Malaga Bus Station.
Transfers from Granada Airport.
Granada is the nearest airport to Cacin and is 40 minutes by car. We can meet your flight.
You should book flights to ensure arrival in Granada between 15:00 and 18:00 on the start date for the course.
We will accommodate alternative pickups by arrangement if this proves difficult.
Car Rental
Both airports have car rental. We can put you in touch with other course participants - with their permission – so you can co-ordinate car hire share if you wish.
Book Your Place!
"Best learning experience ever!" - Jan Wilkinson, UK
