what’s on my mind

The photo above shows a gorgeous property (currently for sale) in Burgundy which covers 11 acres and includes stables, bridle paths and other minor amenities such as a manor house, chateau and tower “guesthouse”… here is a link for those of you who like to dream.

Have I been procrastinating lately, mulling over which would be the best subject for a post…? Possibly, but as I collected all my current books, videos, magazines and DVDs from around the apartment into a stack here, it occurred to me that I have been quite busy consuming information and connecting ideas -- reading, watching DVDs, looking up information on the internet, researching possible seminars and trips (all revolving around or somehow connected with riding a horse!). Here is a list of items gathered up:

Zen & Horseback Riding  Applying the Principles of Meditation to Riding Horses, by Tom Nagel

Horse Gaits, Balance and Movement by Susan E. Harris

Ride From Within --Use Tai Chi Principles to Awaken Your Natural Balance and Rhythm, by James Shaw

Dynamic Alignment Through Imagery, Eric Franklin

Ride the Right Horse --Understanding the Core Equine Personalities & How to Work with Them, Yvonne Barteau

Animals in Translation --Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior, Temple Grandin

The Mindbody Prescription – Healing the Body, Healing the Pain, John Sarno, MD

Craniosacral Therapy and the Energetic Body, Roger Gilchrist

Dressage in Harmony, Walter Zettl

The Complete Horse and Rider, Alois Podhajsky

Jin Shin Jyutsu for Your Animal Companion, Adele Leas

BodySense - Revolutionize Your Riding with the Alexander Technique, Sally A. Tottle

Albinus on Anatomy, Robert Beverly Hale and Terence Coyle

and of course, Centered Riding and Centered Riding II, Sally Swift

DVD: 2006 Centered Riding Symposium, including presentations on the history of CR, The Rider's Seat (by Tom Nagel, mentioned above), Feldenkrais and CR, Tai Chi, Rider Biomechanics, Natural Horsemanship, Alexander Body Work and Life Skills!

DVD: The Visible Horse, Susan Harris & Peggy Brown
DVD: Moving Naturally, A Portrait of Marj Barstow (Nebraska Public Television, 1981)
DVD: GAIAM - Balance Ball Exercise Sampler: Strengthen core muscles, improve balance and posture

Magazine: Aikido Today with an article about a black belt test by an equestrian which incorporated riding!

Here is my Google Book List which I use to keep track of favorite books.
However, I recommend ordering horse-related books from Trafalgar Square Books.

upcoming blog posts:

-video footage of Marj Barstow, at age 82, effortlessly making her way from the ground to the back of her horse and riding on her Nebraska ranch (in a lope – that’s a Western canter, right?) – technical challenges are keeping me from realizing this post… but it will soon be possible
-habit & change
-my urban laboratory – using the City’s challenging environment
-the psoas is where it’s at
-the center