Waist to Hands, Who Knew?

 

As we’ve been tootling around through this wet and cool spring, I’ve been playing a bit with classical in hand and under saddle work.   More on that in another post, but during a wander on the web researching classical seat aids I came upon THIS gem by Sylvia Loch for Dressage Today.  A lot of interesting ideas wrapped up in a brief article, but I was struck by the waist to hands concept.  Basically, SL posits that to be over the horse’s center of gravity the rider must always push her waist slightly towards her hands.

Hmmmmm.  Something about this struck me and I decided to give it a try.  My next ride I made sure I was in neutral pelvis and basically aligned and gave a slight push from my waist to my hands while keeping lined up.  I did this all the time, and at all three gait.  And OMG.  It worked like a dream.  I was sitting upright easily instead of constantly struggling to get my shoulders back.  My canter seat was deep and following.  Our field ride was the quietest that it’s ever been.  And most of all I felt a sense of rightness.  In balance and centered, strong and secure.  

Is this something I missed in riding Kindergarten?  Does everyone else already do this?  I’m just shocked by how effortless the whole concept is and how well it works.  Thoughts?