We all think about staying in the saddle for the duration of the ride, but what about staying in the saddle for the duration of our lives?
If you've ever heard the saying "You don't use it you lose it" it is true. Inactivity leads to a wide array of physical ailments including but not limited to: arthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis it can also lead to weight gain, weakened muscles, and joint pain. None of those sound very fun on the back of the horse.
On the other end of that spectrum are people who exercise their whole life and train intensely but really put a beating on the body.
None of those sound like they will help the future of your riding career. But there is GREAT NEWS, yoga can help keep your joints healthy and prevent injuries. So while we stress the importance of yoga for making your ride successful how about making your rides for years to come successful and available?
Riding out of alignment can take a toll on your horses back and your muscles so just riding alone may not be the best option, you really want to pair it with something that keeps you balanced out of the saddle.
Flexibility is tied to everything living, we must stay flexible in order to live a long pain-free life. Alignment is very important so make sure that you go to a yoga instructor that emphasized the importance of alignment and engaging the core to protect the back. Yoga is all about stretching and strengthening. So keep on riding yogi!
