by Anne Gage, The Horse Riding Confidence Coach
It’s true that your thoughts do affect your behaviour.
When you are stressed, anxious, or afraid you have specific physical reactions.
Tense muscles, shallow breathing, increased heart rate, butterflies or feeling nauseous – you might be familiar with all of these.
And so you try to think positive thoughts.
You post affirmations everywhere you can see them. And yet, the anxiety and nerves continue to come back.
Noticing your unhelpful, negative thoughts and changing them to positive ones is only one part of the Confidence Boosting process.
Another very important part of the process is getting the changes into your body.
A relaxed mind cannot exist in a tense body.
We all have places that we habitually hold tension in our bodies. For many adults, it’s in their neck and shoulders. But it could also be in your lower back, hips, or upper back.
Throughout your day, take time to notice where your muscles are often (maybe even always) tight and practice releasing that tension.
Here is an effective exercise you can do anywhere and anytime to release tension.
You can do this exercise either sitting or standing.
- Stand or sit with your shoulders over your hips so your back is straight and tall without being rigid.
- Keep your chin parallel to the floor.
- If you’re standing have your feet about hip-width apart.
- If you’re sitting have your feet flat on the floor.
- Slowly and deeply inhale through your nose feeling your tummy expand for a count of 5. Just focus on your breath.
- Pause for a moment.
- Slowly and deeply exhale through your mouth making a sighing sound.
- As you exhale allow the tension to drop away from you. (Picture the tension dropping down through your feet and into the ground.)
- Pause for a moment before inhaling again.
- Repeat this inhaling and exhaling cycle at least 3 times.
Try doing this exercise while standing near your horse and notice what happens.
You may notice he lowers his neck slightly, or exhales deeply, or closes his eyes.
Practice this simple breathing exercise to release tension anywhere and at any time.
- When you’re stuck in traffic or waiting at a traffic light in your car.
- At your desk while you’re at work.
- While on hold on the telephone.
- While grooming your horse.
- At the mounting block just before you get on your horse.
- Any time and anywhere.
The bottom line:
As the tension leaves your body, you will find focusing on those positive thoughts comes much more easily.
And, that helps you to feel less anxious about riding.
So, you become a better more confident rider and a better partner to your horse.
Because a relaxed mind does exist in a relaxed body.
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[/one_third_first][two_third_last]Want more tips and strategies for building your confidence while building a stronger partnership with your horse?
Check out my book: “Confident Rider, Confident Horse: Build Your Confidence While Improving Your Partnership with Your Horse from the Ground to the Saddle”.
Click here to download a free chapter now! [/two_third_last]
You’re welcome to use this article in your blog or newsletter as long as you notify me and give my credit information. ~ Written by Anne Gage, The Horse Riding Confidence Coach (www.ConfidentHorsemanship.com)
Anne Gage has been helping anxious horse riders find their confidence for 20 years. In 2002, after coming off one of her young horses, she completely lost her riding confidence. As she worked on regaining her confidence she discovered that many other horsewomen were suffering in silence – thinking they were alone. Anne now helps anxious horse riders get back in the saddle with confidence, regain their joy for riding and create deeper partnerships with their horses.