EQUESTRIAN BREATHWORK

A gradual, personalized process that begins with the rider.

Riders develop an extraordinary capacity to observe their horses—changes in movement, rhythm, tension, behavior, attention, and response.

Equestrian Breathwork brings some of that attention inward.

What am I noticing in my own breath, body, and internal experience while I am with my horse?

Through private breathwork, conversation, inquiry, and embodied awareness, riders have an opportunity to explore their own experience before, during, and after riding.
Every meaningful partnership begins with listening.

Before a cue is given, before the reins are gathered, before the ride unfolds, a conversation is already taking place.

Every rider–horse partnership has its own language.

This work invites the rider to include herself in that conversation—to notice her own breath, body, attention, and internal experience while she is receiving information from her horse.

Some riders come with something specific they want to explore. Others are rebuilding confidence after injury, time away from riding, a fall, or a difficult experience. Some are navigating the demands of training or competition. And some are simply curious about what they may discover when the awareness they already bring to their horse also includes themselves.

Wherever you are, we begin there.

How the work began

My work with equestrians began unexpectedly.

Jennifer had been one of my yoga students in Washington, D.C. Years later, after I had moved to Florida, she contacted me for a breathwork session.

After we had been working together, Jennifer told me something I hadn't anticipated:

“Michelle, my riding has changed.”

She had begun noticing her breath differently when she mounted and described changes she was experiencing in her riding and with her horse.

I hadn't approached our breathwork with the intention of changing her riding.

Jennifer made the connection herself.

Her experience opened a question that I continue to explore:

What becomes possible when the awareness riders already bring to their horses also includes themselves?

A Private Session

Each session begins with your experience.

We may begin with something that happened during a ride, at a show, while grooming or tacking up, after a fall, or in another moment that stayed with you. Or you may arrive without anything particular in mind.

Through conversation and inquiry, we begin with what is present.

From there, I guide you through a breathwork experience, followed by a period of integration.

Breath becomes an anchor for observation.

The process is gradual and personalized. There is nothing you need to accomplish and no particular experience you are expected to have.

Beyond a Single Session

One breathwork session can introduce an experience. Repetition offers an opportunity to become more familiar with the breath and with your own internal experience.

Some riders choose a single session. Others return periodically around training, competition, recovery, transitions, or something new that has emerged.

There is no predetermined program. We allow the rhythm of the work to develop from your experience and what you would like to explore.

For Riders, Trainers & Equestrian Communities

Equestrian Breathwork can also be offered for groups of riders, trainers, barns, teams, clinics, and equestrian organizations.

Group experiences provide an opportunity to explore breath and embodied awareness within the context of equestrian life while allowing each participant to have their own experience.

Session Setting

Private sessions are available in person in Ocala, Florida, including the World Equestrian Center and surrounding communities, and online via Zoom.

Sessions may take place in a quiet indoor setting or, when appropriate, within the rider's equestrian environment.

All breathwork is directed toward the rider.

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