Buqi healing for horses in movement

movement and expression in horses

Buqi heling horses muscle strength and movement

Grey horse portrait - Copyright iStockphoto.comBuqi For Fluidity and Movement 

Buqi can be used as a movement therapy which both develops and enhances movement and expression, releases stiffness or 'blocking' (due to old injury or body patterning) and also has a role in securing a shift, or a change, of movement patterns.

 

Buqi has shown to have the following effects on the horse

  • Generates self-presence in the horse
  • Develops expression in being and in movement
  • Releases physical tension
  • Releases mental and emotional tension
  • Creates freedom in the joints and loose-ness in the muscles
  • Offers a feedback tool to 'listen' to the various tensions in the system.
  • Promotes a 'wholeness' of the mind, body and spirit of the horse.

Buqi is currently being used on all types of horses and is proving to have a very positive effect. The horses that have been having ongoing Buqi sessions have visibly transformed to the ongoing delight of their owners!

Why does Buqi affect performance and movement?

During a Buqi session the horse visibly releases held-tension from the muscles and joints. You can sometimes see spontaneous muscular twitching under the skin as muscle fibres, which have previously been held in spasm, release. Sometimes the fascia layer can be seen to move or twitch. Spontaneous stretches, which are instigated purely by the horse and often occur after very deep relaxation, helps to release larger muscle groups which have been holding tension. The effect is that the horse 'gets back' access to the full use of the body system. With insightful and mindful schooling it becomes easier to allow and encourage further expression in movement and in being, paving the way for agility, balance and strength.

Emotional and mental tension will always contract the horse and affect his way of going. The Buqi session is a step in bringing about a visible release of this stress and tension. Deep mental relaxation is seen during Buqi which visibly affects the breath and the mind. Breath and life are synonymous; as the pressure of the breath connects more with the body so the body connects more with life; life then becomes expression. Buqi also has a role in nurturing the 'presence', 'self-containment' and 'self-expression' of the individual horse, which itself impacts on health, on movement and on the potential brilliance of being. This element is more important than at first it may seem. When a horse is secure and centred then the horse has its own full potential to realise.

Icelandic ponies - Copyright iStockphoto.com

On an energy level, connectivity is developed and the horse becomes increasingly 'joined-up' internally. If the rider is similarly connected in mind and balance then there is an opportunity for horses and rider to act as one. As the natural biomechanical functions are 'realised', the body is free to move and the energy channels are themselves brought into play then horse and rider have access to unlimited radiance, strength and power. Alignment and connection is key. 

The benefits

Buqi can support and help develop:

  • strength - the horse will become increasingly 'grounded' and 'stable', thereby having more access to the 'earth force' which thereby will generate more 'push' from the ground providing more aligned ' power' going through the structural/movement system.
  • alignment - the release of 'held-tension' will allow the horse to become increasingly aligned through the spine and the limbs. This reduction of 'parasitic tension' helps efficiency of limb flight and the transference of forces through the loaded limb.
  • joint flexibility - the ligaments become more flexible and muscle fibres are released bringing about a greater movement range and flexibility of the whole horse. To the horse the joints feel more elastic and supportive.
  • integrity of the whole body - the horse literally 'joins up', areas of the body that have 'opted out' of the movement process are re-engaged and previously overused areas are recovered. The horse becomes more comfortable 'as a whole'.
  • presence - the horse becomes more 'connected with self' or more self-assured. The horse literally exudes more 'life force' or vitality which even onlookers or laymen see. They seem to gain a greater 'aura' around them. This essence or grandeur is something to be nurtured and developed for brilliance and expression.
  • it is a way of listening to horses - the Buqi session can be a valuable feedback tool. The session may reveal areas in the body that are struggling, that are releasing, that need strengthening, etc. The feedback from the horse's demeanor, responses and reactions can provide a variety of clues about what is going on for the horse within the stage of development he is in. 

How many sessions?

It is true that the more you engage with something the more you will get out of it.

For example, if you school once a week you will advance at a certain rate, compared to, if you school daily, study and receive professional guidance you will progress at a different rate. Buqi is the same.

The work that unfolds with Buqi will unfold as a process. Ultimately there is no end. You can use Buqi to support your regular schedule, as ongoing maintenance for your horse or to address a specific element.

The sessions often unfold as a story unfolds, neither practitioner nor owner necessarily knowing how that will occur, but following the progress and changes that the horse makes during the session itself and through the periods in between will unfold that story. If there is a preparedness to listen then the horse and the horse's system will reveal all.

To date, people have chosen anything between having a one-off, a fortnightly or monthly session or have a series of sessions over a particular period of time.