Eckwood Equestrian

08/14/2026

Years ago a friend recommended reading "Breath" by James Nestor, and it hit me at the exact right moment. Learning to breathe better genuinely changed my health and my life, and I highly recommend picking up the book if you haven't yet.

If you feel like you're at a point where you're ready to make a change and feel better from the inside out, check out this podcast episode with Patrick McKeown and James Nestor.

Beyond hearing about the journey behind writing the book, the conversation is inspiring on so many levels. It touches on patience, adaptability, and how we approach our daily lives.

It completely shakes up the popular idea that we always need to breathe "more" or "deeper" highlighting instead the importance of becoming comfortable with CO2. Breathing is simple (you breathe in and out), but it becomes completely fascinating when you realize it can be a tool to challenge yourself and intentionally shift your physiology.

Breathing is a physiological function. But what has become "common" in modern life isn't necessarily normal or functional. Returning to functional breathing requires us to slow down, notice, and cultivate a quieter, more grounded way of moving through the world.

Check it out and let me know how improving your breathing has changed your riding, and maybe your life. 🌬️✨

In this episode, James Nestor (author of the bestseller *Breath*) a...

08/12/2026

Aesthetic ideals battle with function. Once function and dynamic alignment are understood, the aesthetic is the consequence of feeling and moving well in the saddle.

The pelvis cannot simply be held still. It has to move, adapt and coordinate with the trunk so the rider can remain organized within the movement rather than being displaced by it.

When the pelvis becomes too rigid, that adaptability is reduced. Movement that could be distributed through the pelvis and trunk has to be managed somewhere else, often creating more tension and making it harder for the rider to stay with the horse.

This is where a common cueing can work against healthy function. Bracing the core, gripping or trying to hold still in an attempt to create stability can reduce the adaptability the rider actually needs.

Stability does not mean rigidity. It’s actually achieved through balanced movement.

The goal is mobility and control to create stability, allowing the pelvis to respond to the horse while the rider remains organized around their centre.

This is why understanding healthy function matters so much when we teach movement.

When we understand how the body is designed to move, we can use imagery to help the rider experience that function rather than trying to manufacture a position.
Imagery turns anatomical understanding into an experience, helping the nervous system organize movement with greater ease, coordination and adaptability.

08/04/2026

Breathing in and out through your nose isn’t just a relaxation trick it’s a foundational key for better riding. Nasal breathing stabilizes your core, regulates intra-abdominal pressure, and keeps your nervous system calm so you can ride with true softness and control.

Ready to take your breathwork and riding biomechanics a step further?

Join The Lifted Core, a 12-week program starting September 1st. Designed to elevate your feel, posture, and breathing in the saddle, this immersive course dives deep into:

The practice and flow of Hypopressives
The pelvic floor, clavicle, wrists, and hamstrings
Foundational core pillars for total self-carriage

👉 Join the 12-week program here:[https://www.eckwoodequine.com/the-lifted-core](https://www.eckwoodequine.com/the-lifted-core)

05/20/2026

Interactive class to learn about hypopressives for riders.

Join the Equitation Collective Community and attend the Free Hypopressives Class for Riders June 2, 2026 at 6:30pm MDT

05/14/2026

Sign up to learn more about Hypopressives for Riders

Join the Equitation Collective Community and attend the Free Hypopressives Class for Riders June 2, 2026 at 6:30pm MDT

04/14/2026

I have been working with riders and the simulator for the past 5 years.
I am so excited that TYS is bringing this fabulous tool to the HorseExpo in Red Deer this year.

Every rider needs to experience the benefits of the Racewood Simulator.

04/09/2026

Come to the HorseExpo April 24-26, 2026 at Westerner Park, Red Deer. Discover how you feel to your horse.

Learn tools to improve your equitation.