A Retreat into Silence
Last weekend, I stepped away from the noise of daily life—no phone, no internet, no social media. But also, no conversations, no horses, no distractions. Just silence.
I spent four days at La Montaña Azul in Costa Rica, in a retreat organized by The Art of Living Foundation. We were a group of about 35 people, each from different backgrounds, yet all sharing the same challenge: to be fully present with ourselves, without words to fill the space.
But this wasn’t just a digital detox—it was a complete reset of the mind, body, and emotions. From 6:30 AM until night, we followed a structured schedule filled with yoga, breathwork, meditation, nature walks, and deep introspection. We ate delicious vegetarian, gluten-free, and sugar-free meals, nourishing our bodies in a different way. And through it all, we remained in silence.
Facing My Own Inner Dialogue
At first, silence felt unfamiliar. Without my usual conversations, my phone, or my daily routines with horses, I was left with one voice: my own inner dialogue.
The first day, my mind was restless, jumping from thought to thought—“What’s happening in the world? Did I forget to answer an email? What will I do after this retreat?”
But as time passed, something remarkable happened:
✔ My thoughts started to slow down.
✔ I became more aware of the present moment.
✔ My nervous system shifted from doing to simply being.
There was no one to impress, no task to complete, no need to be “productive.” Just me, fully present with myself.
And in that presence, I remembered something profound:
The better I know, love, and accept myself, the better I can love and accept everyone else.
What Silence Taught Me About Riding
Spending four days in silence felt a lot like learning to ride with true feel—without rushing, without forcing, just listening.
As riders, we often look outside of ourselves for solutions. We analyze techniques, seek feedback, and focus on refining the mechanics of riding. But how often do we pause, listen, and truly connect with what’s happening within us?
Here’s how the lessons from silence apply to riding:
Quieting the Mind Leads to Clearer Communication
Just as my thoughts were loud at first, our minds can be noisy in the saddle—overanalyzing, doubting, or trying to control too much. But the quieter our inner dialogue, the clearer our body language becomes.
Awareness Changes Everything
In silence, I noticed small things—how my breath moved through my body, the subtle shifts in my posture, even how different emotions felt physically.
The same applies to riding. The more aware we are of our own bodies, the better we can sense our horse’s movement.
The Body Follows the Breath
Breathwork was a huge part of the retreat, and I realized how deep breathing creates space for relaxation and clarity. In riding, we often hold our breath without realizing it, creating unnecessary tension.
Connection Comes from Acceptance, Not Control
One of my biggest takeaways was that the more I accept myself, the more I can accept others—without judgment, without expectation.
This mirrors what happens with horses. True connection doesn’t come from trying to force perfection; it comes from understanding, softness, and meeting the horse where they are.
Instead of focusing on what’s wrong in a ride, shift your mindset: What can I accept? How can I work with my horse’s natural movement instead of against it?
If I could give one piece of advice from this experience, it would be:
✔ Take time to just be.
✔ Pause before reacting—whether in life or in the saddle.
✔ Tune into yourself before trying to control what’s outside of you.
Because in the end, the best riders—like the best humans—are the ones who know themselves, love themselves, and bring that same presence and acceptance to everything they do.
This retreat was a challenge, a reset, and a gift. It reminded me that silence isn’t empty—it’s full of answers. And when we take time to listen, whether in a retreat or in the saddle, we find a deeper connection—not just with our horses but with ourselves.
What I learned in silence wasn’t just about stillness—it was about presence. And presence is the foundation of great riding and a fulfilling life.
Ale
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