I was just reading the thread on "hollow back" and it made me think of body position and what I learned at the riding clinic I attended a few weeks back. I never shared this yet on this forum so may as well...
In the clinic, we were videotaped from behind doing sitting and posting trot. Then we all watched the videotapes in slow motion. The person giving the clinic (he has a degree in biomechanics I believe and works with top showjumpers) was examining if when viewed from behind we were vertical (ideal position) or tilted one way or another...
Most of the riders in our group (about 6 of us, including some very experienced riders and jumpers!!!) had a crooked body position when examined from behind Apparently, many people have this problem - even very good riders! Of course, this can affect your balance and affects the horse too so is not good. Several riders had a classic C-shape - that is the rider's weight was focused on one hip (sort of slouching or leaning on that hip) and their head was also tilted that way - hence making a "C" shape when viewed from behind. I was somewhat of an S-shape - my weight was on my right hip, yet my head was leaning a bit the other way, making a sort of "S" shape! Amazing how you think you are sitting straight, yet when caught in slow motion you are not actually sitting as straight as you think you are! I recommend trying this or having an instructor watch you from behind...interesting to find out what you are doing! I'd love to hear back from anyone who tries this.
Funny thing is that since then I noticed that I also slouch on this same hip when driving my car, sitting in my computer chair etc. So I have to retrain my body not to do this. Also, I noticed my right side of my back is more prone to lower back pain, and I now think it is because of the stress on the muscle from this tilting. So I will consciously work on this not only while riding but while driving etc.
Anyway, not really asking for any feedback with message, just thought this was kind of interesting and worth sharing!!!
In the clinic, we were videotaped from behind doing sitting and posting trot. Then we all watched the videotapes in slow motion. The person giving the clinic (he has a degree in biomechanics I believe and works with top showjumpers) was examining if when viewed from behind we were vertical (ideal position) or tilted one way or another...
Most of the riders in our group (about 6 of us, including some very experienced riders and jumpers!!!) had a crooked body position when examined from behind Apparently, many people have this problem - even very good riders! Of course, this can affect your balance and affects the horse too so is not good. Several riders had a classic C-shape - that is the rider's weight was focused on one hip (sort of slouching or leaning on that hip) and their head was also tilted that way - hence making a "C" shape when viewed from behind. I was somewhat of an S-shape - my weight was on my right hip, yet my head was leaning a bit the other way, making a sort of "S" shape! Amazing how you think you are sitting straight, yet when caught in slow motion you are not actually sitting as straight as you think you are! I recommend trying this or having an instructor watch you from behind...interesting to find out what you are doing! I'd love to hear back from anyone who tries this.
Funny thing is that since then I noticed that I also slouch on this same hip when driving my car, sitting in my computer chair etc. So I have to retrain my body not to do this. Also, I noticed my right side of my back is more prone to lower back pain, and I now think it is because of the stress on the muscle from this tilting. So I will consciously work on this not only while riding but while driving etc.
Anyway, not really asking for any feedback with message, just thought this was kind of interesting and worth sharing!!!