DAY 1

★ Meet Cathy Woods, Author of Yoga For Riders, Riding Through Change, and creator of Body, Mind, Equine ®

Meet Cathy Woods, your guide and instructor for Yoga Fitness Labs for Riders. In this introductory video, Cathy shares her approach to mindful horsemanship through yoga postures and principles, exploring how restrictions in our bodies—and our minds—can directly influence our horse’s movement, balance, and state of being. Learn how body, breath, and energy awareness developed on the mat translate into more enriched, confident, and connected time in the saddle and while working around horses. Through intentional practice, riders develop a strong foundation that supports better coordination, posture, and overall body awareness in every equestrian activity.

Since strength, flexibility, and balance work synergistically, this series offers a thoughtful breakdown of yoga postures designed specifically for equestrians to develop all three, while also enhancing focus and artfully weaving together the parallels between yoga, horsemanship, and lifemanship. Each lab is presented in a clear, digestible format, including modifications and variations, allowing participants to work at their own pace and fully explore each posture and concept.

★ Yoga For Riders Strength Lab

This lab focuses on building the strength equestrians need to stay supported, resilient, and capable both in and out of the saddle. Strength in key muscle groups not only enhances riding performance but also supports safe movement, stability, and the physical demands required in horsemanship.

We’ll break down the following postures:

• Chair Pose – to strengthen the legs, glutes, core, and arms

• Standing Goddess Pose – to strengthen the quadriceps, inner thighs, and glutes

• Warrior II Pose – to strengthen the legs, particularly the quadriceps, while improving focus, balance, and the ability to draw on inner strength

Each posture is taught with clear instruction, along with modifications and variations, allowing participants to work at their own pace and fully explore each posture and concept.

★ Yoga for Riders Flexibility Lab

This lab focuses on yoga postures that support flexibility—an essential component for riders when mounting and dismounting, for safety in the saddle, and for maintaining the agility required in horsemanship. These practices also help keep the body moving fluidly as we ride, which also translates to a better-moving horse.

We’ll break down the following postures:

• Revolving Spinal Twist – to promote a healthy range of motion and support a flexible, mobile spine

• Standing Forward Bend – to stretch the backs of the legs and lower back, while increasing blood flow and circulation to the head and brain

• Low Lunge – to stretch the legs, knees, ankles, and hip flexors, supporting increased lower-body flexibility

Each posture is taught with clear instruction, along with modifications and variations, allowing riders to work at their own pace and explore the practice safely and effectively.

DAY 2

★ Yoga for Riders Balance Lab

This lab focuses on improving balance and focus, essential components for riding safely and effectively. It also explores the connection between inner and outer balance, and how both influence horsemanship and lifemanship.

We’ll break down the following postures:

• Stork Pose (also known as Three-Point Balance) – to improve balance and focus

• Tree Pose – to enhance stability, balance, and concentration

• Dancer Pose – to develop balance, focus, mindfulness, and grace, while also building leg strength and flexibility

Each posture is taught with clear instruction, along with modifications and variations, allowing participants to work at their own pace and fully explore each posture and concept.

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★ Yoga for Riders Bonus Lab for Core & Hips

This bonus lab focuses on the core and hips, essential areas for equestrians to support stability, mobility, and effective movement in and out of the saddle. Core strength is fundamental, as all movement originates from the core, and a strong core helps support a healthy, resilient back. Open, flexible hips are equally important for riding, allowing us to move with our horse more easily, which in turn supports a freer-moving, more balanced horse.

We’ll break down the following postures:

• Plank Pose – to build a strong core, back, and arms

• Touch the Sky Pose – to strengthen the abdominal muscles and support the lower back

• Hip Cradle Pose – to open and stretch the hips, glutes, and lower back

• Hip Socket Pose – to maintain open, flexible hips and help relieve lower back tightness

Each posture is taught with clear instruction, along with modifications and variations, allowing participants to work at their own pace and fully explore each posture and concept.

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