65 episodes

Do you want to create a life with horses that nourishes body, mind and spirit? Do you value self-awareness, curiosity and kindness? You’re in the right place! In this podcast, we’ll cover an array of connected topics. We’ll discuss how to improve body awareness, flexibility and balance for both you and your horse. We’ll explore how anxiety and tension affect horses and humans, and what you can do to promote relaxation and confidence. Since your thoughts affect not only you, but your horse as well, we’ll delve into emotional awareness, mindset and how to develop your intuition. All these topics can deepen your connection with your horse. And we know that a strong human-equine connection not only improves your body and mind, but it can nurture your spirit as well. So please join Feldenkrais® teacher, international clinician and bestselling author Mary Debono each Thursday as she helps you enhance your movement, mindset and connection with horses.

Easier Movement, Happier Horses Mary Debono

    • Kids & Family
    • 5.0 • 11 Ratings

Do you want to create a life with horses that nourishes body, mind and spirit? Do you value self-awareness, curiosity and kindness? You’re in the right place! In this podcast, we’ll cover an array of connected topics. We’ll discuss how to improve body awareness, flexibility and balance for both you and your horse. We’ll explore how anxiety and tension affect horses and humans, and what you can do to promote relaxation and confidence. Since your thoughts affect not only you, but your horse as well, we’ll delve into emotional awareness, mindset and how to develop your intuition. All these topics can deepen your connection with your horse. And we know that a strong human-equine connection not only improves your body and mind, but it can nurture your spirit as well. So please join Feldenkrais® teacher, international clinician and bestselling author Mary Debono each Thursday as she helps you enhance your movement, mindset and connection with horses.

    Enhancing Flexibility, Balance and Strength at Any Age

    Enhancing Flexibility, Balance and Strength at Any Age

    Learn why the Feldenkrais MethodⓇ is gaining in popularity among equestrians. This innovative approach can improve your flexibility, balance and strength. And it can feel almost effortless.   

    In this episode, you'll hear how the Feldenkrais Method can improve your ability to ride easily and comfortably - at any age!    

    Want to know more? 

    Key Takeaways: 
     Feldenkrais Method improves flexibility, balance, and strength, especially with age You can improve your riding and your confidence through Feldenkrais lessons Focuses on coordination and organization of the body for efficient movementHelps regain proprioception, balance, flexibility, and strength after injuries or agingTakes a holistic approach to physical and mental well-beingDoes not emphasize stretching, which can exacerbate inefficient movement habitsEnhances body awareness for riders and horsesImprove how you move and feel in and out of the saddle! 
    🐴 Our Move with Your Horse program offers Feldenkrais lessons and live coaching so that you AND your horse can move and feel better than ever!

    💥 Sign up to be among the first to know when we open the doors to our online group coaching program, Move with Your Horse! 🐴 https://www.marydebono.com/joinhorse 💥

    Podcast show notes for THIS episode: https://www.marydebono.com/blog/h64

    Free rider masterclass: https://www.marydebono.com/rider

    All information is for general educational purposes ONLY and doesn't constitute medical or veterinary advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider if you or your horse are unwell or injured. 

    • 37 min
    A Simple Way to Improve Body Awareness

    A Simple Way to Improve Body Awareness

    Ready to improve your body awareness?  Mary Debono guides you through a transformative body scan exercise designed to enhance your body awareness and melt away tension.

    Discover how subtle shifts in your own body can lead to a more harmonious connection with your horse. This practice will not only improve your riding skills, but also leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

    You'll also hear about our exciting new Move With Your Horse online group coaching program at the end of the podcast. https://www.marydebono.com/joinhorse 💥
     

    Key Takeaways:
    Body awareness is crucial for riders to improve movement, reduce tension, and enhance their connection with horses.The body awareness exercise involves lying down comfortably and observing breathing patterns, followed by focusing on specific body parts with mindfulness.Gentle movements and visualization techniques can help promote relaxation and release tension.Transitioning mindfully to sitting and standing integrates newfound awareness into everyday activities.Developing body awareness contributes to a harmonious relationship with horses and improves overall well-being for both rider and horse.💥Want to learn how to help you and your horse even more? Sign up to be among the first to know when we open the doors to our online group coaching program, Move with Your Horse! 🐴 https://www.marydebono.com/joinhorse 💥

    Podcast show notes for THIS episode: https://www.marydebono.com/blog/h63

    All information is for general educational purposes ONLY and doesn't constitute medical or veterinary advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider if you or your horse are unwell or injured. 

    • 35 min
    Tiny Steps, Big Results: Mastering Movement Through Small Actions

    Tiny Steps, Big Results: Mastering Movement Through Small Actions

    💥Want to learn how to help you and your horse even more? Sign up to be among the first to know when we open the doors to our online group coaching program, Move with Your Horse! 🐴 https://www.marydebono.com/joinhorse 💥

    Would you like to be more supple, balanced and strong? Would you like to improve your horse's movement too? In this episode, we'll discuss why simply repeating movements won't help, and can actually make things worse!

    Our bodies were made to move, but so often both we and our horses get stuck in less-than-ideal movement patterns. Mindless repetition of a movement won't fix the problem, it can exacerbate it. To improve a movement, you must focus on the quality of the movement, not the quantity.

    To do that, you must pay attention to how you initiate movement. This mindful method can dramatically improve your movement and your horse's movement. It's key to improving balance, flexibility, and power, and can help make you and your horse a more harmonious and elegant team.  
    Key Takeaways
    Focus on the quality of a movement, not how many times you do it.Mindless repetition of a movement can make things worse! For better movement, pay close attention to how you initiate that movement.Slow down and make your movements smaller to build awareness of movement patterns.Work on non-habitual movements to engage your nervous system.Honor the 4 keys of healthy movement: Relaxed breathing, effortlessness, appropriate posture, and reversibility.Prioritize a sense of ease in your movement.Focus on the easier side first before exploring the more challenging side.Always stop and rest for a moment between movements to let your muscles fully relax.You communicate your underlying sense of ease (or lack thereof) to your horse.Movement should feel good!💥Want to learn how to help you and your horse even more? Sign up to be among the first to know when we open the doors to our online group coaching program, Move with Your Horse! 🐴 https://www.marydebono.com/joinhorse 💥
    Podcast show notes for THIS episode: https://www.marydebono.com/blog/h62

    All information is for general educational purposes ONLY and doesn't constitute medical or veterinary advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider if you or your horse are unwell or injured. 

    • 29 min
    Letting Go: A Key to Healthier Movement for You and Your Horse

    Letting Go: A Key to Healthier Movement for You and Your Horse

    Learn Practical Strategies to Cultivate Awareness and Release Tension

    Join host Mary Debono as she explores the harmful effects of doing too much, both for humans and horses. Through anecdotes and insights, discover how excessive tension impacts movement and well-being.

    Learn practical strategies to cultivate awareness and release unnecessary effort. Tune in for a transformative discussion on achieving greater ease, harmony, and vitality in your life and your equine partnerships.

    💥Want to learn how to help you and your horse even more? Sign up to be among the first to know when we open the doors to our online group coaching program, Move with Your Horse! 🐴 https://www.marydebono.com/joinhorse 💥
    Podcast show notes for THIS episode: https://www.marydebono.com/blog/h61

    Key Takeaways 🔑
    - The Feldenkrais MethodⓇ teaches how to let go of unnecessary tension and find a balance between doing and not doing.
    - In horses, tightness in the back can be caused by a lack of flexibility in the rib cage.
    - The Feldenkrais MethodⓇ and Debono Moves help horses and humans develop a sensory distinction between engaging and not engaging certain muscles.
    - Small, slow movements and focusing on initiating movements from different points can develop this sensory distinction.
    - Unnecessary tension and effort in humans can be felt by horses and affect their interactions and well-being.
    - Increasing awareness of how we move, breathe, and direct our attention can positively impact our relationship with horses.
    - The key is to do less and find ways to make movements feel easier by letting go of unnecessary tension.


    All information is for general educational purposes ONLY and doesn't constitute medical or veterinary advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider if you or your horse are unwell or injured. 

    • 26 min
    Are You Crooked? Tips for Overcoming Uneven Seat Bones

    Are You Crooked? Tips for Overcoming Uneven Seat Bones

    Do you feel crooked in the saddle? You're not alone! In this episode of Easier Movement, Happier Horses, we'll dive into the problem of uneven seat bones.
    This common issue isn't just about aesthetics. It can affect your riding ability, contribute to a lack of confidence, create physical discomfort, and even throw your horse off balance.
    It’s an incredibly common problem for riders. 
    And the thing is, you may be crooked even if you feel perfectly even!
    But your HORSE feels your unevenness.
    In this episode, you’ll learn:
    The surprising consequences: Discover how imbalances affect you and your horse, from postural stress to communication glitches. ‍Keys to conquering crookedness: Slow down, embrace playful exploration, and use approaches like the Feldenkrais MethodⓇ to find your center - effortlessly.Your free roadmap to a more balanced seat: The 3 videos from my free rider masterclass are a good foundation to help you become more aware and responsive in your seat.   Grab the free rider masterclass here. 💥💥Grab the FREE rider masterclass videos here:  https://www.marydebono.com/rider
    After you do all three videos from the rider masterclass, I invite you to explore this additional video to improve even more. (But please don't skip over the first 3 videos - they’re essential!)  You can find the fourth, bonus video here.  ⬅️
    💥Want to improve even more? Sign up to be among the first to know when we open the doors to our online group coaching program, Move with Your Horse! 🐴 https://www.marydebono.com/joinhorse
    Podcast show notes for THIS episode: https://www.marydebono.com/blog/h60
    All information is for general educational purposes ONLY and doesn't constitute medical or veterinary advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider if you or your horse are unwell or injured. 



     

    • 41 min
    Detecting Imbalances: What You Can Learn from Listening to Your Horse's Footfalls

    Detecting Imbalances: What You Can Learn from Listening to Your Horse's Footfalls

    You may pay attention to how your horse looks and feels, but do you notice how your horse SOUNDS?

    Listening to your horse's footfalls can help you detect imbalances in your horse's movement and posture. And catching such imbalances early, while they're hardly noticeable, may prevent them from turning into more serious problems.

    In this episode, Mary will explain what it may mean if your horse's footfalls sound uneven. 

    And you'll learn why intentionally listening to your horse can strengthen your ability to notice when something is "not quite right" with your horse.  And help you take steps to guide your horse back to balanced, healthy movement.
     
    💥Sign up here for free classes and be among the first to know when we open the doors to our online group coaching program, Move with Your Horse! https://www.marydebono.com/joinhorse

    Easily improve your movement and position in our FREE rider masterclass.
    Feldenkrais® for Riders videos: https://www.marydebono.com/rider

    Podcast show notes for THIS episode: https://www.marydebono.com/blog/h59

    All information is for general educational purposes ONLY and doesn't constitute medical or veterinary advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider if you or your horse are unwell or injured. 

    • 11 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
11 Ratings

11 Ratings

Lo_Wing ,

I am loving these podcasts!!

Thank you, Mary, for these awesome podcasts!! Your years of experience are helping me so much, even beyond my riding.

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