Equestrian Yoga integrates an ancient tradition into modern life, deepening your connection with both yourself and your horse by combining the principles of yoga with the movement and energy of your horse.
With poses practiced both on and off your horse, including hip openers, shoulder stretches, deep twists, and lateral stretches, you’ll find improved strength, flexibility, and balance. Stretches designed for the horse mirror those for the rider. Breathing with intention brings clarity and awareness to your own body, while strengthening the bond with your horse.
Equestrian Yoga complements any riding discipline and is suitable for horses and riders of all ages and abilities. No previous yoga experience is required. Step-by-step instructions, as well as modifications and variations, make equestrian yoga accessible to all.
Both yoga and riding are timeless studies – explorations of self-discovery and growth. Enjoy the journey!
Read what students say…
Danny Chapparo combines her two passions, horses and yoga, and specializes in teaching Equestrian Yoga, a practice that addresses the specific postures and movements of the horseback rider’s body. It focuses on balance, flexibility, core strength, lower back, shoulders, and hips.
Equestrian Yoga includes gentle poses off and on the horse, with lots of breathing and awareness on how to deepen your connection with your horse.
We’ll be practicing hip openers, shoulder stretches, deep twists, and lateral stretches to improve flexibility and balance when riding.
Used consistently, Equestrian Yoga complements any other riding instruction or training you receive on your journey toward a better horse-rider relationship.
It is a wonderful opportunity to deepen your connection with the horse, as well as your inner self. The time you spend in the saddle doing asanas (poses) is a great opportunity to include your equine partner in your practice.
Horses pick up on the emotional environment, including our own energy and are a true mirror of our emotional state. When our energy centers are balanced in harmony, horses and humans lead a healthier life!
Join Danny and learn how you can use your breath as an aid to stay in synch with your horse even when fear and nerves arise during a ride.
All levels of yogis & yoginis welcome!
Suitable for equestrians of any riding discipline.
Danny was recently interviewed in a podcast with RAMM Horse Fencing & Stalls, speaking about her journey into Equestrian Yoga. She was featured in the October 2019 edition of Equine Journal, and the January 2019 edition of the Horse Illustrated magazine with “Mind-Body-Horse“. She was a presenter at the 2014 and 2015 Yoga Journal LIVE! in Estes Park, teaching Equestrian Yoga. She was also a speaker at the National North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC) in Denver in February 2013 and at the Parker Elizabeth Riding Club (PERC) in April 2013.
Benefits of Equestrian Yoga
The yoga poses practiced, on and off the horse, will help you
- Develop a deeper seat and lower your center of gravity by opening up your hips and building a stronger core
- Open up your shoulders so your arms can move more freely with the reins
- Improve your balance, being able to put more equal weight into your sit bones and stirrups
- Stay connected in the saddle while looking at that next jump or that cow you are working with
- Use your body, mind, and breath, to build that deep connection and relationship with your equine partner
Be the student – let the horse be your teacher!
Incorporate Equestrian Yoga into your regular training, or make it a special event.
Take a sneak preview at some of the poses you will be practicing with your equine partner. Additional videos can be seen on the Ashva Yoga YouTube Channel.