Before you begin to practice Equestrian Tai Chi, please read the Safety Protocols For Your Practice, listed below and follow them carefully to make sure that you practice safely.
Please also read and follow the Guidelines For Your Practice listed below, because these give you the basic requirements that apply to every exercise.
Then, the best place to start would be learning Gather The Moon From The Sea, and use it as a warm up exercise before you begin your practice of The Equestrian Tai Chi Form.
What is Equestrian Tai Chi?
Equestrian Tai Chi is Tai Chi that I adapted from the normal standing and moving Tai Chi, specifically for practice on horseback.
- The Equestrian Tai Chi Form a sequence of movements, performed in a flowing manner. Each movement has its own name and has particular energetic patterns which belong to it. It is learned movement by movement, starting at the beginning of the sequence and building each week, movement by movement, until the whole sequence is known. Like regular standing and moving Tai Chi, it is known as ‘The Form’ for short.
- Once the movements of The Form become familiar, they have a beautiful flow that will help develop a feeling of peace and serenity. Many horses appear to enjoy their riders practicing The Equestrian Tai Chi Form and show signs of relaxation such as licking and chewing.
- Instructions for performing The Equestrian Tai Chi Form include written instructions and short video clips. The written instructions give detail that will help people have the correct body alignments while performing the exercises. This detail might be missed if just the videos alone are used for learning, so it is helpful to read them and to refer back to them, even when the exercises become familiar.