Favorite Finds Week Thirty
A little note about this week’s favorite finds. This week’s finds are self-love focused. As equestrians, we do everything we can for our horses; we provide chiropractors, farriers, saddle fitters and a plethora more for them. So this week, it’s about you. Are you taking time for yourself to make sure you can be the partner your horse needs? If you need some suggestions, you’re in the right place.
Yoga with Adriene
There are plenty of yogis on youtube that you can follow but Adriene is my personal favorite. The tempo at which she does her sessions are perfect for me to be mindful of how I am doing each move and she has a huge range of videos; I guarantee you can find a video that suits you. She is doing a 30 day yoga journey this January called Center. It’s for all skill levels so don’t be intimidated if you have never done yoga, her sessions are very approachable. I find that combined with some of my other weekly routines, yoga has helped me with body awareness and helps me tremendously in the saddle. Not to mention, just taking time for yourself in the morning or evening can be so beneficial for your mental health.
FACE FOUNDRIÉ
As equestrians, we are out in the elements a lot. Our skin takes a beating from the wind, sun and cold especially those of us who work outside all day. It is easy for me to justify spending money on my horses but for some reason, justifying it for myself is another thing. Taking time and finances to nurture ourselves seems selfish and opulent but it really is important. FACE FOUNDRIÉ’s are all over the United States, and if you’re in Minnesota there are quite a few around. They specialize in, you guessed it, facials and other face services with reasonable pricing. If you are unsure as to what type of facial you need, you can take a quiz on their website to see what type of facial they recommend for you, as a facial newbie, this was very helpful for me. The next cold snap we get, go treat yourself, kick back and enjoy a HydraFacial.
MindfulMotion Pilates, Wellness and Ayurveda
This one is for my local Minnesotans. I have been doing Pilates and getting massages from Nicole for a little over 2 months now and I am loving it! Nicole is based in Hastings and provides massage, energy work, Pilates and more. Nicole is a rider herself so she is very knowledgeable about what we ask our bodies to do in the saddle. That to me is one of the most beneficial aspects of working with Nicole. I have worked with other health professionals that try and tell me what I needed in the saddle and unless they have done it themselves, they are just making assumptions. One time, I made a personal trainer come to the barn and ride a horse because he always downplayed the stability and fine muscle control riders need to have- let me tell you, he changed his tune real quick when he tried to trot.
Every week when I show up to Nicole’s place, we have a discussion about what’s going on in my body. Some times we do massage, some times Pilates, some times more stretching. It depends on what she hears from me and what she sees in my body and I find that extremely beneficial that she is always willing to tailor my session to whatever is going on with me that week.
Email: ayurveda722@gmail.com phone: 651-318-9168
“Perhaps this is what this season is all about: Trusting in the unknowns, finding gold in the little things, trading fear of what’s uncertain for freedom to thrive within it.” -Morgan Harper Nichols