11 Tage 100-Stunden Pferde Yogatherapie Lehrerausbildung in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica

Certifications

The course / hours count as Continuing Education hours for Registered Yoga Teachers (RYT®) only.

This program is designed for personal growth and professional development, culminating in certification for leading equine yoga (yoga with horse) sessions.

Become a certified yoga with horses instructor. With the full course completed, you will be able to share your knowledge with others, offering classes to those in search of connection and self-discovery through the language of horses.

Focused on:

• Honoring the truth of horses, and the truth of the human
• Learning the language of horses while working on the self
• Learning to perceive and channel your energies and those of the horse
• Developing a yogic practice
• Learning how to conduct a yoga with horses session in varied ways, for private and group healing
• Adopting a holistic view of equine yoga, and life with horses as a yogi

Program overview

This program is about developing a true connection with horses that will allow you to heal yourself and others.

Why choose the equine yoga teacher program?

Designed by experienced yoga teachers and professional horse trainers, this program offers an intensive exploration into the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of yoga and horsemanship. At the end of the program, you'll emerge not only transformed, but also equipped to teach others and facilitate healing in your community.

What you’ll come away with

The program is more than just a course. It's a journey into self-discovery and healing. You'll learn and practice asanas to enhance your riding skills, pranayama techniques to influence your and your horse’s energies, and meditation skills to bring clarity to your life.

You'll explore yogic self-awareness techniques, learn how to understand and influence the energies of your horse, and develop a personal yoga and meditation practice. Additionally, you'll improve your liberty horsemanship skills, learn how to evaluate students and classes, and improve balance through bareback and bitless riding skills.

Prerequisites (Who can join?)

You don't need to be an experienced yogi or equestrian to join. All you need is a 200-hour yoga teacher training (YTT) certification or to be in the process of obtaining one within a year of the program. If you lsk or don't have horse experience, you will be required to book a three-week internship.

What you’ll be learning

• Asanas / poses to build core body strength to enhance your riding, stretches to lengthen tightened muscles, and balancing poses for balanced riding
• Pranayama, breath control, and awareness to influence your and your horses' energies, emotions, and physical movement
• Meditating skills to bring focus and clarity into your daily life and time spent with horses

Practicing yoga with horses will help you to be in touch with your true, authentic self, the real you, the one that your horse inspires you to be.

Discover horse and self: A three-part equine yoga journey

The program is divided into three parts: "Know Thyself," "Know Thy Horse, Aligned Horsemanship," and "Aligned Horsemanship and the Yogic Path of Healing." Each part focuses on different aspects of yoga and horsemanship, for a comprehensive learning experience.

The program is more than just a course. It's a journey into self-discovery and healing. Aligned horsemanship is an approach born from mutual respect and love between humans and horses. The guiding principles of yoga and liberty horsemanship provide the perfect environment for both human and horses to stretch their limits and enjoy life together.

Part 1 (Know Thyself)

Mission statement:

Know thyself; find your authentic place of liberty so that you can connect with your horse at his place of physical, emotional, and spiritual reality. Sharing sacred space at liberty with your horse is the key to freeing yourself of attachments (letting go). It is only in this space of your true authentic self that you can begin to evolve and forge a bond with your horse.

Goal

Experience and gain mastery over the tools of yogic self-awareness to identify, connect influence, and be influenced by the energies of your horse.

Objectives

• Experience yoga practices of breathing, physical postures, mantra chanting, and meditation techniques on the yoga mat and with the horse
• Learn and demonstrate basic natural horsemanship skills and knowledge to ensure that your horse is physically and emotionally healthy and happy
• Identify and influence your energies and that of your horse to forge and enhance the connection between you both
• Experience how to just ‘be in the moment’
• Let go of fears and ego
• Practice skills on the yoga mat and with the horse that you can take with you as you continue your journey of inner growth and wisdom

Part 2 (Know Thy Horse)

Mission statement

Make the connection; forge and enhance your physical, emotional, and energetic bonds with your horse. Increase your observational and listening skills to improve and grow in your equestrian pursuits and performance. Improve your physical conditioning and responses.

Goal

On the physical plane, improve your riding skills through holistic yoga practices. On the emotional and energetic planes, enhance your sensitivity to identify and consciously influence the directions and intensities of these energies through holistic yoga practices.

Increase your understanding of your horse’s physical, emotional, and energetic physiology and needs through holistic natural horsemanship practices of therapeutically applied healing herbs, oils, clays, and healing techniques.

Objectives

• Practice a holistic yoga practice emphasizing the five koshas to tone and balance the physical, emotional, and energetic bodies of the rider
• Identify and engage the vayus in targeted holistic yoga sessions on the yoga mat and with horses
• Identify, understand, and engage the chakras in targeted yoga sessions on the yoga mat and with horses
• Sound theory in a japa practice - identify the sounds and groups of sounds (mantra) that engage targeted koshas, vayus, and chakras
• Learn about the care of horses' physical, energetic, and emotional centers through hands-on practice, essential oils, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Bach flowers, and Linda Tellington Touches
• Principles and basics of barefoot trimming
• Stretches for rider and horses
• How to clear your auras, meridians, and chakras
• Preparation exercises for horses for yoga classes and riding

Part 3 (Aligned Horsemanship and Yoga)

Mission statement

Holistic natural horsemanship is a unique approach to experiencing mutual respect and affection between rider and horse. The guiding principles of yoga and natural horsemanship provide experiential practices for both rider and horse to stretch their limits and reach their goals.

Goal

Identify and develop your equestrian goals, following the path of the equestrian yogi and natural horsemanship practitioner. Share this knowledge with others from a place of authenticity and personal integrity.

Objectives

• Develop a personal yoga and meditation practice
• Develop core strengthening yoga classes for riders
• Mounted yoga poses and safety for horse and rider
• Identify, design, develop, and implement yoga and meditation practices for others
• Develop and improve skills of natural horsemanship (Know thyself, make the connection, influence energies, and learn natural and organic horse care)
• Develop individual and group equine yoga sessions
• How to evaluate students, guests, and class
• Improve balance through bareback riding and bitless riding skills
• Perform karma service
• Develop equine yoga classes according to the EYTP model

Inclusive

This program without the certification is suitable for everyone. No prior experience with horses or yoga is needed, only an openness to new experiences. Yoga is for all ages, backgrounds, genders, etc. If you are a human with an interest in yoga, Kindred Spirits welcomes you. To get certified, they require that you complete and pass a 200-hour YTT.

Experiences

There will be soul-nourishing experiences such as morning and evening yoga, equine yoga and horsemanship workshops, meditation with horses, chakra work, swimming with horses, sacred mantras, and more, aimed at developing physical, mental and emotional strength, body awareness, and a deeper understanding and intuition of all that connects you with life and horses.

Retreat experiences:

Meditations with the herd

Immerse in the world of horses through breathing techniques and meditation, which calms the mind and will help you connect with horses using the ritual of Namaste. This practice will deepen your understanding of yourself and your surroundings.

Sacred chants, fire, cacao, and horses

There will be a kirtan ceremony under the open sky, by a sacred fire. Participants will chant mantras honoring the Earth, Shiva, and goddesses, inviting them into their hearts. Savor local cacao and connect with nature and the universe amidst the healing energy of gentle horses.

Swimming with horses

Kindred Spirits' swimming with horses activity offers a beautiful morning beach time for both human and horse. Yogi, Isha, and Nahar enjoy their dips in the ocean, rolls in the sand, and beachside grazing. You will get to hold on to the mane, master your balance, and be one with horse and warm Caribbean waters in the golden hour.

Beach yoga

Start your day with a mindful jungle road hike to the beach with a yoga session to salute the sunrise, absorbing the warmth of the sand and connecting with the Caribbean sea goddess Yemayá.

Yoga with horses

Develop a balance and harmony with horses, embracing their wild spirit and the surrounding life energies. Horses speak the language of peace, which necessitates truth, and their wisdom guides people towards authenticity. With yogic techniques, you will meet the horse where he is, in the authentic self, rediscovering your inherent state of bliss.

Morning and evening yoga classes

Energizing yoga morning classes and restorative evening classes will include asana classes that are tailored for chakra balancing, release of blockages, and equestrian needs.

Certification program

• Learn and practice asanas to enhance riding skills, pranayama to influence energies, and meditation for clarity.
• Explore yogic self-awareness to connect with your energy and see yourself as your horse does.
• Understand and influence your horse's energies through yoga and herd understanding.
• Develop a personal yoga and meditation practice.
• Improve liberty horsemanship, evaluate students and classes, and enhance balance with bareback and bitless riding.
• Gain a holistic understanding of horse care, akin to Ayurveda for horses.
• As you practice and become a more balanced, authentic self, you'll better observe and feel your horse’s cues, becoming a better horse listener and whisperer.
• Upon completing the course, share your knowledge by offering classes, including yoga with horses sessions, to others seeking connection and self-discovery.

Is this for me?

If any of the following sounds good to you…

• Reconnect with yourself, surrounded by horse energy goodness.
• Explore the intersection of yoga and horses.
• Incorporate yoga into your work with horses as a caretaker, trainer, teacher, or therapist.
• Experience 10 days of intense yoga with horses.
• Join a yoga community, heal, and form lifelong friendships.
• Challenge traditional views on horsemanship.
• Discover how yoga enhances equine therapy.
• Combine your love of yoga and horses.
• Fulfill your dream of a magical bond with a horse.
• Offer yoga with horses sessions at stables / farms.
• Learn Aligned Horsemanship principles for better treks.
• Take the healing effects of horses to the next level.

...then this is for you.

Daily itinerary sample

• 06:00 Wake up, freshen up, and enjoy a herbal tea.
• 07:00 - 09:00 Yoga practice: Pranayama, asana, and meditation
• 09:00 - 10:00 Breakfast
• 10:30 - 13:00 Lectures
• 13:00 Lunch
• 15:00 - 17:00 Horse arena and jungle pasture workshops
• 17:00 - 18:00 Evening yoga class
• 19:00 Dinner
• 20:00 Practice, study time, and meditation