Good Life Pilates – Nederland, Colorado
The Stable Core Method™ blends classical pilates with equestrian performance.
I had the opportunity to do a studio & field session with Pam Harrington, the owner of Good Life Pilates here in Nederland, Colorado. Thanks, Pam, for the awesome corrections that I will continue to implement daily!
Stable Core Method™, Pilates for Equestrians
Pam’s Stable Core Method™ has helped equestrian athletes internationally. She hosts clinics on her method and even works with athletes individually before they compete.
Stable Core Clinics
There are 10-15 Stable Core Method™ clinics per year, where riders enhance their performance with Pilates principles. In order to help riders become conscious of their breathing, alignment, and body mechanics, this Pilates-based method is meant to better feel, timing, and balance. Pam’s clinics consist of a lecture, pilates workout, and group riding lesson.
Lecture
1.5 hours
The way interactive exercises (like the one pictured above) demonstrate how body misalignment can cause one to miscommunicate with their horse was incredibly helpful! These exercises help you to actually feel what a horse feels, when you move your pelvis toward your sacrum – or when you turn your head, and its pull or effect on their body.
Fitness balls imitate what you’re doing on your horse, and it allows you to recognize where you’re off-balance and how tightening your core can help you stay in alignment.
Pilates Workout
1 hour
Good Life Pilates is a studio located on 1st Street in Downtown Nederland. Fitted with reformers and Cadillacs, they offer privates, duets, and classes.
Riding
In order to get a feel for the individual needs of riders, Pam usually begins each clinic by gaining an understanding of their pain points. The riding lessons take the pilates focus on the pelvis, neck/shoulders, and knees and tailor it to the class.
Natural Horsemanship
Pat Parelli coined the term Natural Horsemanship, which refers to a variety of horse training techniques focusing on the bodily interplay and subconscious communication between a horse & rider. These techniques have gained popularity since the 1980s. The idea here is that less is more!
By allowing the horse’s body the freedom to speak to your body, as a rider, the horse is able to use more of its own intellect to guide the conversation and flow. Instead of micro-managing your horse, you only communicate what’s necessary. This helps horses build their confidence – just like any other animal!
My lesson with Pam was my first in Natural Horsemanship & I am quite a believer! Thanks again for having us!