v

Yoga and Riding Weekend Clinic

Ed Dabney Returns to HR and teams up with Susie Cohen

 April 2nd-5th 2009

Deepen your presence on the mat and in the saddle

This Clinic may be the perfect way to enjoy Highland Ranch and to bring

your interests in yoga and horseback riding together.

"I brought home so many good memories of my stay at your ranch. I truly found the exact vacation I had wished for! I rode my horse Winston yesterday, and tried the new 'hip moves'--- he responded so easily!! It made me laugh out loud!
Thank you so much! - I had a wonderful time."  Louise J. October '07

Highland Ranch is delighted to announce that world-renowned horseman and clinician, Ed Dabney (www.eddabney.com), is joining HR's own yoga teacher, Susie Cohen, for the fifth Yoga and Riding Weekend Clinic focused on experiencing and exploring the connections between yoga and riding.

Ed Dabney, who has been to Highland Ranch several times in the past to put on some successful and enjoyable horsemanship clinics, had his very first "yoga for riders" class (in his jeans!) with Susie during one of his Highland Ranch clinics. He recognized quickly the benefits of yoga for riders of all levels. That same weekend, he asked Susie to present some "barnside yoga" poses to the clinic participants and has been including yoga poses in his clinics since then. We are especially delighted then that Ed has agreed to bring his skills as a teacher, clinician and horseman, his southern charm and good humor and his growing interest in yoga to work with Susie for this October's "Yoga and Riding Weekend Clinic ".  We may even be able to talk him into sharing some of his cowboy poetry and fireside stories with us!

The Clinic is beautifully designed and balanced to be enriching and complete and also to allow some time for participants to enjoy the beauty and peace of Highland Ranch.  Daily yoga classes will focus on alignment, strength, suppleness and breath that invite the body’s responsiveness and well being.  Participants will then take this enlivened experience into the saddle for exercises and trail riding fostering a more conscious, open connection with our equine friends.

The Clinic is open to all levels of riders and yogis. The number of participants is kept small to allow the instructors to address each participant's particular level of experience and expertise.

Susanne Cohen

Susie has been practicing yoga since she was seventeen. She practiced and took classes for many years until her late 30's, when she became very dedicated to learning and practicing the art of yoga. Classes once a week led to class several times a week and, taking workshops whenever she could, she found herself interested in deeper study. She did her teacher training at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco and has been teaching since 2001. She is now pursuing certification as an Iyengar yoga teacher and has passed her first round of exams. She practices, studies and teaches yoga in the tradition of BKS Iyengar.

Ed Dabney                     In 2007, Ed was named Champion of the East Coast Trainer Challenge Series by Equine Extravaganza

Ed Dabney has worked with horses all his life, being involved in diverse fields including the ranching, motion picture and horse training industries.

Ed gained rich insight and understanding into the horse's culture through his experiences in the wilds of Wyoming, where Ed trained horses for several large ranches.

"While I was living in Wyoming I had many opportunities to observe and study wild horses on the open plains.  My time spent with these herds gave me a much deeper understanding of their well developed social structure, instincts and communication.  The insights I gained have become an integral part of my training philosophy that I have never abandoned – whether working with horses in dressage, reining or jumping."

Even though Ed is an outdoorsman who is accomplished in ranch roping and working cattle from horseback on large Wyoming ranches, he has also developed his knowledge of classical 16th and 17th century equitation.  As an instructor of classical riding, Ed academically relates to his students the teachings of the French masters in the patient, accurate and refined style of the classical period.  Ed Dabney has enjoyed a warm friendship with legendary classical Master Karl Mikolka, of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna.  Ed has immersed himself in intensive formal training, on the instructors' level, in classical riding at the famed National School of Academic Equitation in Washington.

Having worked with people and horses in various and sometimes extreme conditions and venues, Ed Dabney has been defined as an extraordinary presenter, teacher, and advocate for the advancement of rider & horse.

Yoga and Riding Clinic

The Clinic is beautifully designed and balanced to be enriching and complete and yet to allow enough time for participants to enjoy the beauty and peace of Highland Ranch.

Yoga and riding each involve a balanced seat, an open heart, a calm breath, a present mind, and a deep connection with all life. In this workshop you will have the opportunity to focus on and practice actions and awareness of the body on our yoga mats and then call up that same awareness and undertake similar actions later in the saddle. For instance, in the yoga studio, you'll practice hip opening poses and then later in the saddle you'll practice the same hip opening action and see the effect it has on your mount. It is exciting when your horse "gets" what you want to do and where you want to go by subtle cues in your balance and movement. When we can communicate with our horses without relying on the bit or the boot, we truly honor and foster the gift of strength and vitality that our horses share with us. Daily yoga classes will focus on alignment, strength, suppleness and breath that invite the body’s responsiveness and well being. On Saturday and Sunday, you ’ll take your enlivened experience into the saddle for exercises and trail riding fostering a more conscious, open connection with our equine friends.

The retreat is designed for people of all experience levels in yoga and riding.  So, bring your own horse or ride one of ours free of charge.

A weekend retreat of yoga and riding instruction will help to:

• Improve your balance, flexibility and stamina on the mat and in the saddle
• Develop your body’s responsiveness and a more conscious attitude to riding
• Encourage harmonious work and play between horse and rider

Price and Accommodation

The cost of the weekend is $815/double occupancy and $925/single occupancy. Rates include:

Lodging in a well-appointed cabin with fireplace, full bathroom and porches with rocking chairs

• All yoga and riding instruction retreat fees
• Three nights lodging in a lovely shared or private cabin with fireplace, private bath,  etc.
• All meals and beverages

• Use of a Highland Ranch horse or boarding fees for your own horse
• Use of all ranch facilities and amenities

Cancellation and Refunds

Cancellations occurring before 2/23/09 we will refund less a $50.00 processing fee. For cancellations from 2/24/09 to 3/23/09 THERE IS NO REFUND, however we will credit any payments over the deposit to another ranch stay or workshop in 2009 or 2010. For cancellations after 3/23/09 there is no refund and no credit. Workshop may be transferred to another person.

Please call Susie at (707) 895-3600 or send an email to stay@highlandranch.com for more information. 

"Barnside Yoga Poses"© by Susie Cohen

Return to "HR Home Page"                                                                                                Return to "Wellness Program" Page