5 Tips on How to Choose a Yoga for Equestrians Class

by Kristen Kolenda

You may have heard of yoga for equestrians, but did you know that these types of classes can vary widely?  While all yoga classes have the potential to be therapeutic (and benefit riders) there's a few things you should know to help you find a class that can help improve your skills in the saddle and give you the most for your time and money.

1. Teaching Credentials

You’ll want to make sure you're taking class from a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) or Yoga Teacher (RYT200 or higher).  It’s important to make sure your yoga instructor has at least the minimum (RYT200) requirements to be a registered yoga teacher.

A good RYT200 program will help teachers learn the basics but an instructor with RYT500 or C-IAYT should be able to take you even further. Additionally, an E-RYT200 or E-RYT500 designates a yoga teacher with more teaching experience, which is also a huge plus. 

2. Equestrian Experience

The more quality experiences a person has had in the saddle, the more valuable their teaching can be.  While you don’t need a grand prix rider to teach you, you should look for a yoga instructor with 10 or more years of riding experience.  Without lots of time logged in the saddle your yoga teacher won’t be able to translate how to use the skills learned on the yoga mat to saddle.   

3. Physical and Mental Exercise

A Yoga for Equestrians class should not only help you mobilize/stabilize muscles for better riding biomechanics (giving you more ease in the saddle) it should also help you build focus, clarity, and skills to manage the mental and emotional demands that come with being in the horse world.  

4. How You Feel During Class (and the following 24hrs)

Pay attention to how you feel during, immediately after, and throughout the 24 hours following a Yoga for Equestrians class.  While the class may not be easy and you may feel fatigued, overall you should feel good post class.  Notice if you find positive results with areas such as improved concentration, patience, sleep, digestion, stress management, pain, ease of movement or more.

5. Is it Improving your Riding?

You’ll also want to pay attention to improvements (or lack thereof) in your riding and horsemanship.  If you’re spending yoga classes strengthening muscles that we as riders actually need to lengthen or relax, the type of yoga you're doing could actually be counterproductive.  That’s one reason why finding a well informed instructor is so important.  If you’re serious about improving your riding and aren’t feeling results, keep looking until you find the right yoga instructor for you.    

Kristen is a yoga therapist (C-IAYT), E-RYT500, and mental health researcher with a degree in Equestrian Studies from Lake Erie College.  She teaches riders in person and virtually to help them achieve peak potential in and out of the saddle.

Check out more from Kristen on Instagram: @equitation.education and @kristenkolendayoga

Sign up for classes or reach out at kristenkolendayoga.com

Why Kristen loves BOTORI:

I love that my Taylor Riding Tights can go straight from the yoga mat to the saddle.  Plus they have all the features I love (high waist, mesh cuffs, phone pocket etc.).  I can teach yoga class at my local tack shop wearing my Taylor riding tights and then head straight to the barn to ride.  My other favorite item is my Ringside logo hoodie.  I had been looking for a dark hoodie that I wouldn’t be afraid to get dirty at the barn but was also stylish.  Once again BOTORI had exactly what I was looking for.