Elizabeth's story - Panic attacks and agoraphobia

“I have been an agoraphobic for about 40 years, and have tried numerous medications and therapies, to no avail, so I was naturally sceptical, but after a very warm welcome from Sherree, I felt relaxed and ready to learn the process.

Sherree has a way of explaining the Programme so I slowly understood most of it, and she always was ready to answer my questions. At the end of 3 days I was anxious to go out and test myself.

I am now a much happier person and pleased that I met Sherree.”

My condition prior to the Lightning Process -  Shaky, no confidence, afraid of panic attacks when outside.

Changes I noticed during the Lightning Process three day courses

Day 1 – confused with so much information

Day 2 – started to understand some of the process

Day 3 – Feeling a little better about myself and looking forward to practising what I have learnt

In the 2 weeks following the course – More confident about going out and now look forward to shopping etc. Happier and more relaxed

Riding with confidence workshop 18th February

Hi Sherree

 Just wanted to let you know I hacked out Ellie yesterday with absolutely no butterflies, feeling sick, or apprehension before I got on. Just calmly walked across the yard with my tack in my arms, tacked her up and rode out (surrounded in yellow!)  We had a spook at something and I couldn't help but smile as I just sat up and rode forwards, not tipping forward and becoming defensive. Ellie did not nap once the whole ride and I've been grinning ever since. Lunging day today but am looking forward to getting on her and schooling tomorrow.

 My house is now covered in photos of me riding and jumping. The kids were fascinated by the jumping ones - "Is that really you Mummy?" YEP! Sure is and will be again! I have also copied some of the motivational phrases that particularly appealed on to cards and stuck above the kettle, my saddle rack and by my bedside light. I have bought a new notebook, to keep a more formal record of her progress, so if I feel we're not progressing, I can look to where we've come from and to where we're going.

 Will keep in touch and let you know how we're doing...but bring it on! I want some fun! When we start xc, I think my new colours will be yellow! Will look rather stunning with my beautiful mare.

 Thanks again

Julie (and Ellie!)

How to make your New Year resolutions last – Or...why they normally don’t !

You know the scenario – full of good intentions, you resolve to lose weight, stop smoking, or simply stop doing the same old habitual behaviour.

So why do we fail, why is it so hard to just give it...whatever it is....up.

The answer is that the habit, or way of thinking, is a well used unconscious neurological pathway –a shortcut, used by the brain so often that we don’t even know that we are doing it. Usually we only notice when we see the half eaten biscuit in our hand, or glass of wine only half full.

If you were to think about your habit, you would probably notice that the behaviour is triggered or driven by an emotion.  The habit is actually the unconscious mind’s desire to fulfil or sooth an emotion – hence “comfort eating” or believing that you need a drink to be sociable and fun etc.

So, is it any surprise that until you are able to identify and address the issue or emotion, you just continue to repeat the old habit, and any attempt to stop is doomed to failure.

So here’s one DIY version  to make things easier for yourself  –

1                     Find a quiet place to relax and take a few deep breaths

2                     Take yourself back to the last time that you did the “thing” that you want to address.

3                     Think about how you felt just before you “did or reached” for  it

4                     Engage with that emotion that surfaces – where do you feel it in your body?

5                     What does it look/like/sound like?

6                     Take yourself back to the first time that you remember this feeling. You might be surprised just how young you were!

7                     Now ask yourself what this feeling was actually trying to get for you that is positive. Surprised ?  Build up that feeling **inside you. ( tears are good here !)

8                     What would it be like to have that good feeling without having to do the habit ?

9                     Now take yourself back to the point at which you made the decision to do that “thing” the last time you did it and feel that good feeling**

10                 Would you still need to do that habit if you already have that feeling **?

When you are in a hypnotic trance you are able to access your unconscious mind so much easier, so if you’d like a little help, give me a call.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

Sherree Ginger 

Ride with Confidence workshop

One day Ride with Confidence unmounted workshop on Friday 18th February. 
Regain or increase your riding confidence and put the joy back in your riding.
Location  - Springacres, West Grinstead, West Sussex, RH13 8LX
For more information please visit the website and contact me.

A few inspiring comments from clients

“You made me feel much better about life & horses. Many thanks..I think I'm riding on forward again now.”     Jenny Child 17/6/2010

Hi Sherree

Hope you are well, I just had to let you know that I had the best ride ever with my daughter last night!  We had a really nice long canter through the pine woods, it was so nice, I could have gone on for ever.  So thank you for giving me back my’ where shall we canter’, instead of my, ‘I never want to canter’ mentality.

Regards

Lorraine Clipperton

Hi Sherree,

 I don’t know if you remember, but when we did the lightning process with you one of the things we focused on was Tobias not wanting to go on a school trip to Devon because of his coach sickness.

He has done a lot of the visualization that you taught him, and we did a practice trip to London as you suggested.

He went away very happily on the trip, had an amazing time doing all sorts of water based activities and then a lot of football! He was so confident on the way home he didn’t take his sickness pills all the way because he knew he didn’t need them.

Next week he has been asked to go on a school trip to Thorpe Park which is awarded to pupils who have made a significant contribution to the school and he is not at all worried about another coach trip!

Thank you again for everything, you haven’t just helped him recover from ME you have made him a much more confident person able to deal with things him self and much more prepared for life.

 Belinda  X 

Hi Sherree,

Just thought I would e-mail and say hi.

Things between me and Buster are going really well, my confidence is steadily growing and I'm really enjoying my riding.  I love spending time with him as his been a real pleasure lately.  Your name was mentioned today when I had a lesson with a different instructor as we was talking about confidence and apparently another one of her pupils has been to you and you have helped her along as well.   Suzanne (instructor) teaches the Mary Wanless / Parelli style and has helped me find a new technique in getting Buster to go forward without so much effort from myself, He did show his cheeky side though :-)  It's such a small world at times!

Buster and myself are off to camp next week so we should have lots of fun and hopefully in the new year I will be able to sort out my own transport and get him out and about to do some dressage which I would really like to concentrate on.  I'm also hoping to arrange a holiday for just the two of us down in the New forest which I think would be lovely and also be a really big boost to our relationship.

I will let you know what antics we get up to on camp.

Kind regards

Caroline

Hi Sherree,

Hope you are well.  It’s not a great picture but here’s one of me on my trusty stead Buster from camp.  I have got prints of a couple of better ones and if I can get them scanned onto my computer at home I will forward them to you.  

We had a really good time on camp and Buster behaved very well.  We even made it for two rides up onto the South Downs this year with two of the girls.  It was well worth the jaunt up there and although the hill was a little hair raising we coped very well.  We only done a small jumping course but we cleared everything quite nicely and what do they say, small blocks increase to bigger ones.

Summer has been pretty good for us but I am none to aware of the fact that winter is slowly drawing upon us and I am having to keep convincing myself that there is no reason why anything should change between myself and Buster.  It’s difficult though as each time I have a wobble it tends to be in the winter so I have to keep trying to be positive, I'm sure we will get through things as we always do.  Anyway let’s make the most of what's left of the summer.

Hope you are having some fun with your young pony and you could always join camp with us next year :-)  we are already down to go.  Just need to confirm transport.

Kind regards

Caroline x                                             

Hello Sherree,

 Have just  been out for a blast on Hippo - our first proper (intentional) gallop  - and it was exhilarating for both of us!  Thank you so much for your help.  We still have a few little issues to iron out in our partnership, but at last I am really starting to enjoy riding again.

 Best wishes,

 Jo (and Hippo)