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How to improve your riding skills

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How to improve your riding skills: gym ball exercises 4

Hi, it's Asami Sugita here, your gym ball instructor.

When I first tried gym ball exercise, I really enjoyed it and had so much fun.

It was such a fascinating experience and led me to become a gym ball instructor myself.

I still remember that I felt so refreshed after the exercise.

Although I am introducing you several different gym ball exercises, even just sit on the ball is an effective way to use the ball and this is particularly beneficial if you ride horses.

If you feel fun whenever you do exercise or ride a horse, your body relaxes naturally.

Your performance will be increased when you are relaxed. Therefore, it is important to have fun when you are practicing and relax your body and mind.

【Balancing＆core muscle training to keep a good posture】

① Put the ball under your belly and get down on all fours. Place your palms on the floor and stay still.

Once balanced, leave your both legs and keep 10 seconds. Ensure that you align your spine, hip and toe on a straight line.

Balancing＆core muscle training to keep a good posture

② Remove your right arm from the floor, balance on your left arm and keep another 10 seconds.

Then remove your left arm and keep 10 seconds.

If you feel it is too long to hold for 10 seconds, you don't have to keep 10 seconds.

It is important to push your boundary a little bit and try to keep still even you start feeling wobbly.


Balancing＆core muscle training to keep a good posture


【Effective for entire body! Core muscle training】

① Lie down with your belly on the floor. Bend your elbows and place your palms next to your chest.Place your gym ball behind you, put your back of foot on it.

Effective for entire body! Core muscle training

② Rise yourself up with your arm muscles, align yourself in a straight line.

Do not arch your back or lift your hip. It will hurt your back.

Focus on your abs – lift it up and keep a beautiful straight line from the head to toe.

Effective for entire body! Core muscle training


③ Move yourself forward very slowly and stay still.

Use your abs and lift your hips up as high as you can.

Keep this for 10 seconds.

If it is too easy, you can repeat this movement.

Effective for entire body! Core muscle training


When I first tried horse riding, my instructor told me that I was a quick learner.

Thanks to my regular gym ball exercises!

This experience made me realized how beneficial the gym ball exercise could be for horse-riders.

I hope you enjoyed my session and these tips will help improve your horse riding skills!

Asami Sugita

Asami Sugita

Gym ball instructor, ex child minder

Based in Saitama area, she is organizing gym ball exercise sessions.

She puts a great emphasize on 'good feelings' after exercising, particularly using gym balls.

Based on her own experiences, she is aiming to write about how body and mind are connected, how she sees the world in the everyday life and how woman can live more freely.


Read her blog from here: http://s.ameblo.jp/cyaaaaami/

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