Kim Bergin: Alexander Technique

12/09/2026

Great article 😊👍

Relaxation is not the opposite of energy.
Energy is not the opposite of relaxation.

There are some people who don't want their horses 'too calm' because they think they won't have any energy.

There are some people who are afraid to ask anything of their horse because they don't want to disrupt their relaxation.

The truth is that relaxation and energy interact in really really interesting ways.

More relaxation can lead to more freely expressed energy.

More energy can lead to deeper relaxation.

Think of energy as the willingness to respond - So often the reason they are not feeling energetic is lack of understanding or motivation...

When we clarify and motivate them, they respond more willingly and are more relaxed due to the lack of confusion.

So relaxation doesn't mean no energy, it means free-flowing energy.
Energy doesn't mean no relaxation, it means willing responsiveness.

𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘅𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 + 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 = 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿

I never get tired of seeing how these two qualities interact.

Take a look at how relaxation and energy relate in your horse.

This brings me to...

🌱 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸'𝘀 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼:
R𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘅𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲

I play with a student's horse on line. This is a lovely horse, but his human was saying that his energy is 'stuck'. Power comes from having Energy with Relaxation, so I take a good look at her ability to have those conversations with the horse, transitioning from one to the other, until they naturally combine.

First he hesitates, then over-reacts and then gets is just right... Finding effortless free forward movement, with 100% commitment while remaining calm! Listen and watch as I describe what I am doing in every moment.
⤵️ Link in comments

03/09/2026

✨Last remaining introductory offer rates for 2026!!✨

Rider Transformation Retreat Days!

Weekday and a few weekend options left until the end of the season (October 31st). I'm offering these highly bespoke and immersive retreats at a special introductory rate for 2026 only.

Book 1-4 days for private tuition or bring up to 3 friends for a tailored group experience 🧘

🏠⛺Optional onsite accommodation available

🐎 🌳Direct access to hacking in the Shropshire Hills AONB is included free of charge

I will be offering early bird booking discounts next year for these retreat days and other learning opportunities at my facility. If you would like to be the first to hear about these discounts then you are warmly invited to join my WhatsApp group. Just PM me your number 😊📞

02/09/2026

'The essential work for the horse is convincing them of the security in your consistency'.

💯 this 👏😊

02/09/2026

This is what the Alexander Technique is all about -

Inhibition = Catch the thought and pause any action (as this will be a habitual reaction).

Direction = Replace the original thought with another thought and allow the body to reorganise and respond differently to the automatic habit.

This is why doing walk work on horses is so valuable because it gives the rider time for example to a) recognise when they think about canter they have clamped their inside lower leg on and b) work out how not to do that and send their thought to a different part of the body so the clamping never occurs.

20/08/2026

Hi all! 😊

Just a friendly reminder that although I have moved to Shropshire I do still travel😉 I will be spending some time in East Anglia over the coming months and have a few dates available for lessons and workshops while I’m in the area (see below).

If you’d like to book a session, arrange a small group workshop, or simply find out more, I’d love to hear from you. It would be lovely to catch up with some familiar faces and meet some new ones too - both furry and not so furry!!

12/08/2026

Love this. Give it a try 😊

02/08/2026

A very well written piece. All good teachers want is for their students to surpass them one day. RIP Monty. Thankyou for opening our minds to the possibility that there is another way to train horses.
I did not personally know him, however many people I know who have met or learnt from him said he was a very kind and generous man, with people and horses. Let that be his legacy.

28/07/2026

A few snapshots from the Rupert Isaacson 3 day camp :) Rupert is a truly gifted communicator and strives to make the sometimes fairly convoluted and complex, into simple, fun, achievable steps. His passion and enthusiasm are infectious and setting up a safe learning environment for all is his priority. We will be running more camps with him next summer 😊