Why Hoop For Your Horse?

Have you ever noticed that you and your horse are a lot alike? Have you ever observed that if your right hip is tight, your horse may also have a tight right hip? If so, why is that? Does your body movement effect your horses movement?

If a rider cannot allow their body to move freely, then neither can your horse. Over time, your horse may need to learn movement patterns to compensate. Once your horse begins to imprint these motor patterns, they become less supple and prone to injury.

Ultimately, we want to enhance our horse's beauty and not inhibit their movement. Therefore, our ground work is just as important as our horse's ground work!

If a rider is more relaxed in her seat, then the spine can be more supple. According to certified hypnotherapist (CHT.) Stephanie Moses, who practices bio-emotional release, the nervous system must be in a more "parasympathetic state." A parasympathetic state is when you are relaxed and at ease. The opposite is the sympathetic state. This is the fight or flight response that our horse's are familiar to when they feel threatened. Consequently, we use rhythm and repetition to allow the horse to relax and release tension.

Rhythm and repetition are key elements of the hula hoop. The hula hoop is an excellent and inexpensive way to achieve a parasympathetic state. This type of ground work is fun and teaches you to relax into movement. The more you can relax into movement, the more supple your spine becomes. The hoola hoop is also a tool to work on core strengthening and endurance training. Be sure to hoop in both directions so you and your horse will be symmetrical. The more supple you become, the easier you and your horse can dance together!

Jodi Jainchill PT, CFMT

Kids, Adults, and Hoops

Why is it that most kids can pick up a hula hoop and move so fluidly and easily? Yet, when some adults start to hoop again, they are stiff and unsuccessful. What happened?

It seems that kids tend to be uninhibited and secure with their body movements. They are not concerned with their body image and can fully embrace the hoop. Their spine is supple and muscles are relaxed. Kids are more often tapped into their parasympathetic state of their nervous system.

The term "fight or flight" refers to the state of our nervous system. According to certified hypnotherapist (CHT.) Stephanie Moses, who practices bio-emotional release, states we are either in a "parasympathetic or sympathetic state of the nervous system." Long ago, we would go into a sympathetic state if we were being chased by a lion, tiger or bear! Today, we are rarely being chased by life threatening animals or situations, but by our boss, co-worker, family and friends. In a sympathetic state, the body needs to run so the "spine gets stiff." When the spine is stiff, the hoop will fall!

The looser our spine gets, the more we can hoop and live in a parasympathetic state of mind! The better we can move! The better we can enjoy Life!

As a certified Polestar Pilates and Certified Functional Manual Therapist (CFMT from the Institute of Physical Art/ IPA) trained Physical Therapist, I encourage both male and female patients to get a large hoop so they can become a successful and safe adult hoopers. It is a fun way to allow proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and core strength to imprint. Dr. Kabat and Maggie Knott originated the PNF approach to improve a patient's funciton. Sincehooping can help evaluate function and sequencing of of motion, it fits into the IPA approach that Greg Johnson teaches about Functional Movement Pattern (FMP). It also becomes a cardiovascular workout.

Once you get the movement back in your pelvis and spine, you will find it hard to put your hoop down. I have seen kids hoop for hours without a moments rest!

Jodi Jainchill PT, CFMT

Making Hoops

We had a hoopilicious time making hoops last night for our friends...but hoop girls need their sleep too! There is a lot of time and Love that goes into fitting a person and their goals into the best hoop for a fabulous hoop experience!