Pelvic Muscles & Balance for Dressage

To be an effective Dressage rider, balance and core stability are essential. The rider's pelvic floor muscles are important for a stable, balanced and effective seat. Even though riders primarily focus on and think of the "core muscles," the pelvic muscles are indeed part of those important core muscles. In fact, if you imagine the core as a box, the pelvic floor muscles provide the base of the core along with the abdominal muscles in the front, the back muscles and the diaphragm.

SBC-CDS was excited to present ten members an exercise class at Core Sport in Santa Barbara. Pelvic Floor Specialist Cat Myklebust offered the 45-minute session in the Fitness Center nestled between Harry’s Plaza Café and Gelson‘s market on upper State Street.

Before Cat got started she gave a brief introduction, sharing that while many women don't think about strengthening the pelvic floor until later, she wishes women would start learning the exercises as teens when they go through puberty. As many Dressage riders start young, the exercises definitely make sense no matter what the age.

As participants went though the exercises on the mat, including a small exercise ball and a yoga block, it was clear how the workout helps especially those who may struggle with a tilted pelvic position. Many riders, certainly many who sit at a desk all day, have a hard time finding a neutral pelvic position. That's often due to an anterior pelvic tilt (forward tilt) or posterior pelvic tilt (backward tilt), which negatively effects the seat and overall balance.

The exercises directly affect the ability to give proper seat aids on the horse. The motions felt very similar to how the pelvis has to move with the horse, and how muscles need to contract and relax during a half halt and more. It's a great class to get to know your body better and address flexibility and control. The class was not strenuous and easy to follow. Cat was a kind and knowledgeable instructor.

Besides the course Cat is teaching specifically for the pelvic muscles, Core Sport also offers individual training, physical therapy, and group classes in Pilates and TRX. If you are interested in SBC-CDS offering this class again, or joining a regular class with your fellow CDS members here in Santa Barbara, please email Wendy Brown, who graciously organized this event, at wbrownphd@gmail.com.

You can also learn more about Cat or Core Sport on Instagram at @catmyklebust and @coresportsb