- FRANKLIN METHOD EQUESTRIAN -
Equestrians need to be coordinated and balanced in their own bodies to be able to adequately adapt to the constant movement beneath them while riding. They also need to be mentally focused in order to connect and communicate with their horse.
The Franklin Method combines anatomical embodiment and imagery to improve awareness, train the mind-body connection, and produce efficient movement.
With practice of the Franklin Method, equestrians become more aware of not only their own movement, but also the movement of their horse. Consequently, the connection between horse and rider becomes more clear and precise.
- WHY TRAIN WITH IMAGERY -
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The greatest tool that we have to use is the power of our mind. The Franklin Method systematically teaches you how to gain control of your thinking.
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Using imagery directs your attention and creates a clear focus.
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In the Franklin Method, you are also effectively embodying the functional relationship between bones, joints, muscles, fascia and organs.
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When you embody something it means that you have a physical experience or insight around it.
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Anatomically correct embodiment creates quality movement.
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Coordinated movement naturally improves strength, flexibility and posture in your riding.
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If you are able to produce more efficient and coordinated movement, your horse will be able to do the same. The result? A rider and horse that are balanced and easeful in their movement.
- SCIENCE -
Dynamic Neurocognitive Imagery (DNI)™ is an imagery-based systematic method for movement and postural control retraining. DNI uses progressive movement exercises combined with various methods of imagery to draw participants’ attention to anatomical structures and locations, body biomechanics, as well as spatial and functional relationships between body segments during movement. Thus, participants are trained to observe, contemplate, and use enhanced anatomical knowledge to enhance movement quality and optimize the movement of the body part (e.g., acknowledging the pelvis location and its counter-rotational motion during gait to facilitate normal gait patterns within the pelvis and lower extremities.) DNI practice integrates movement experience, anatomical and biomechanical knowledge, movement-related imagery inputs and sensory cues, proprioception, self-talk, and self-touch.
DNITM is a novel, academic term comprising the “Franklin Method” (the imagery method developed by Eric Franklin) and its associated knowledge together with current updates and advancements from our clinical experience and related academic research.
To-date, DNITM is the only comprehensive imagery training approach that provides participants and students with a systematic approach towards learning and using imagery for sports, dance, and daily life performance. As such, it can be applied to all movement techniques and exercise regimen, including Yoga, Pilates, Feldenkrais, etc. DNI is also the only approach that offers regulated teachers’ training courses with well-established syllables and a faculty of officially trained teachers.
Scientific studies have shown that training to DNITM resulted in improved biomechanical and qualitative aspects of dance movement performance in 18 college dance students and resulted in a significant improvement in jump height in 13 college dance students. Recently, we determined that performance of developpé (a complex dance movement), as measured by leg lift height, was significantly improved in 34 college dance students following an intensive, 3-day DNITM training. This training also improved participants’ imagery ability (measured with a standardized questionnaire) (Abraham, Gose, and Hackney, in preparation).
