Emotion in
Motion.
Alexa Linton, Equine Sport Therapist
What are all these feelings, these often intense, seldom welcome “reactions” to the events in our lives. The word emotion is in itself as explanation. The major part of this word is Motion, defined as the ability or power to move or a meaningful or expressive change. Emotion in itself brings about change, pleasant or unpleasant, not in the just in the physical body but also in everything around us. It propels us into a powerful future, hopelessly shoots us into the past, and brings life and energy to our every moment. It moves us to action, stirs us to remember, drives us to achieve, and brings energy to our motion. Just as easily it can bring us to our knees, bind us in our own chains, and control our very limbs.
It is emotion, a powerful force, and like our
horses, cannot be broken, cannot be ignored, cannot be denied, but can be
witnessed and gentled, loved and respected.
Our emotions are a part of us, like water they ebb and flow, and hold a
depth never to be imagined. They
require of us only that we see what they are, that we take the role of the
observer, rather than reacting to their force and being pulled into the
undertow. Like sitting in a sturdy boat
afloat on a stormy sea, we observe the waves and the tides, the rocking of the
boat, we observe our own anxiety, but we know that the storm will always
pass. This depth, after all, is a vital
part of who we really are.
It is when we deny our emotions and our own
authentic expression, that things get a bit stuck. A stuck emotion is like a used tire, one doesn’t take up much
space, but when there are a few hundred, things start getting a bit
crowded. Eventually the body begins to
suffer, manifesting its imbalance as pain, digestive discomfort, organ
imbalances, toxicity, or heart problems.
Not to mention the overwhelming emotions rising as if out of
nowhere.
In our horses emotional trauma or experiences can
also occur, sometimes leaving behind stagnant emotion that can affect them on
many levels. Unfortunately, they are unable to express themselves in “human”
ways. As their partners, it is
important for us to find other ways to allow them to communicate about these
stuck emotions or experiences. Using
Applied Kinesiology, our own intuition, and powerful, simple emotional release
techniques, we can help our horses to live to their true potential, healthy,
happy, and willing.
