How Horses Teach Us to Listen to our Bodies' Wisdom
At Equinimity, one of our favorite ways to check in with one another and with ourselves is by asking, "Does this feel like a Yes, No, or Maybe?" In our supportive approach, a "Yes'' is wholeheartedly a "Yes," a "No" is respectfully a "No," and a "Maybe" is considered a "No" until it feels right to become a "Yes." In the past, we have talked about listening to the inner wisdom of our bodies. Oftentimes, our bodies have a way of telling us if our response is a "Yes," "No," or "Maybe." However, understanding these signals can sometimes be challenging. Fortunately, horses are excellent partners in helping us enhance our self-awareness and clarity.
Notice how getting stuck in traffic affects your morning. For some of us, the idea of running late could bring about feelings of frustration, stress, or even panic if we’re on our way to something important. Even when we make it on time, some of us may continue to feel jittery as we begin our day. Once we arrive at our destination, we may be thinking, “Yes, I can finally start working.” But then we end up re-reading the same email over and over as our bodies have yet to return to a peaceful and focused state. It is as if we have yet to arrive at the present moment.
In the aftermath of a stressful event, a sense of relief may not always instantly wash over us and calm our nerves. Whether it’s a lingering thought or emotion, an earlier interaction or conversation, many factors could interfere with clearly perceiving our bodies’ messages.
Working with horses teaches us to take a moment and pause, and develop our capacity to tune into our bodies. Equinimity’s Jeanie Shepherd shares a particular example, “The mare we call Epona is a perfect teacher of discerning the difference between Yes/No/Maybe. She really loves to be brushed and stroked and scratched. However, if you approach her with your body emoting tension or hurry, she will not wait to see what you have to offer.” There are many more instances when horses demonstrate their “Yes,” “No,” and “Maybe.”
While we may be consciously thinking, “Yes, I want to approach this horse,” our bodies may be projecting hesitation - a maybe - resulting in the horse to turn away. This reflects that idea that a “Maybe” is a “No” until it feels right to become a “Yes.” Epona’s reaction to our approach teaches us to recognize and respect our own physical and emotional signals, and the importance of fostering a deeper understanding of our true intentions.
When we interact with horses, we are encouraged to be fully present, paying attention to our body language, breathing, and the signals we are sending. Horses are highly attuned to subtle changes in our posture, tension, and even our emotional state. This sensitivity requires us to be mindful of how we carry ourselves and what we project.
For Epona (and for other horses), a tense posture or hurried movements can signal anxiety or impatience, causing her to become uneasy or uncooperative. Conversely, when we approach her with ease, we can help create a sense of trust and safety, encouraging her to respond more positively.
These insightful and meaningful encounters with horses help us to better understand what a genuine "Yes," "No," or "Maybe" feels like in our bodies, promoting greater self-awareness and authenticity in our responses.
While not all of us may have the opportunity of being in the presence of a horse, we can take the important lesson of slowing down and allowing ourselves to breathe and listen to what our bodies tell us before diving into the next activity or making a decision.
These moments can allow us to clearly discern our true feelings and intentions, helping us align our actions with our internal states. This alignment fosters authenticity, as we learn to act from a place of genuine understanding rather than automatic or conditioned responses. It teaches us more about ourselves and allows us to savor the yesses, honor the no’s, and explore the maybes of our lives.
_________
Further Reading: Jeanie provides wonderful insights into what 'Yes,' 'No,' or 'Maybe' can look like for horses.
Read about it here
Minding Mindfulness:
Each month, Equinimity offers an open grooming session with the horses. Mindful Grooming incorporates concepts of mindfulness, presence and awareness into an activity that will feel great both for you and our horses. Click here to learn more and to register.
Would you like to learn more about mindfulness? The House that Mindfulness Built is a four-part introduction course to mindfulness and meditation. Click here to learn more and to register
Notice how getting stuck in traffic affects your morning. For some of us, the idea of running late could bring about feelings of frustration, stress, or even panic if we’re on our way to something important. Even when we make it on time, some of us may continue to feel jittery as we begin our day. Once we arrive at our destination, we may be thinking, “Yes, I can finally start working.” But then we end up re-reading the same email over and over as our bodies have yet to return to a peaceful and focused state. It is as if we have yet to arrive at the present moment.
In the aftermath of a stressful event, a sense of relief may not always instantly wash over us and calm our nerves. Whether it’s a lingering thought or emotion, an earlier interaction or conversation, many factors could interfere with clearly perceiving our bodies’ messages.
Working with horses teaches us to take a moment and pause, and develop our capacity to tune into our bodies. Equinimity’s Jeanie Shepherd shares a particular example, “The mare we call Epona is a perfect teacher of discerning the difference between Yes/No/Maybe. She really loves to be brushed and stroked and scratched. However, if you approach her with your body emoting tension or hurry, she will not wait to see what you have to offer.” There are many more instances when horses demonstrate their “Yes,” “No,” and “Maybe.”
While we may be consciously thinking, “Yes, I want to approach this horse,” our bodies may be projecting hesitation - a maybe - resulting in the horse to turn away. This reflects that idea that a “Maybe” is a “No” until it feels right to become a “Yes.” Epona’s reaction to our approach teaches us to recognize and respect our own physical and emotional signals, and the importance of fostering a deeper understanding of our true intentions.
When we interact with horses, we are encouraged to be fully present, paying attention to our body language, breathing, and the signals we are sending. Horses are highly attuned to subtle changes in our posture, tension, and even our emotional state. This sensitivity requires us to be mindful of how we carry ourselves and what we project.
For Epona (and for other horses), a tense posture or hurried movements can signal anxiety or impatience, causing her to become uneasy or uncooperative. Conversely, when we approach her with ease, we can help create a sense of trust and safety, encouraging her to respond more positively.
These insightful and meaningful encounters with horses help us to better understand what a genuine "Yes," "No," or "Maybe" feels like in our bodies, promoting greater self-awareness and authenticity in our responses.
While not all of us may have the opportunity of being in the presence of a horse, we can take the important lesson of slowing down and allowing ourselves to breathe and listen to what our bodies tell us before diving into the next activity or making a decision.
These moments can allow us to clearly discern our true feelings and intentions, helping us align our actions with our internal states. This alignment fosters authenticity, as we learn to act from a place of genuine understanding rather than automatic or conditioned responses. It teaches us more about ourselves and allows us to savor the yesses, honor the no’s, and explore the maybes of our lives.
_________
Further Reading: Jeanie provides wonderful insights into what 'Yes,' 'No,' or 'Maybe' can look like for horses.
Read about it here
Minding Mindfulness:
Each month, Equinimity offers an open grooming session with the horses. Mindful Grooming incorporates concepts of mindfulness, presence and awareness into an activity that will feel great both for you and our horses. Click here to learn more and to register.
Would you like to learn more about mindfulness? The House that Mindfulness Built is a four-part introduction course to mindfulness and meditation. Click here to learn more and to register
