Free Spirit Stables

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Watsonville, CA
Free Spirit Stables

Hannah Francis is a certified RYT 200 Yoga & Equine Yoga Teacher and Liberty Horsemanship Instructor

11/06/2024

“Every little thing’s gonna be alright.”
Today Pony Bill is reminding me to place my attention on love. To release what I cannot control and trust the process. Growth is not linear, but it is persistent.

11/04/2024

Andrea Gibson says in any moment on any day she can measure her wellness by this question. I’m grateful for this elegant reminder to focus on love over insecurity & fear.
It reminds me of John Lennon’s saying,
“There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life.”
Here’s to love & life, may we choose them. ❤️

10/15/2024

Experience the unique joy of Yoga with Horses and support a great cause this Saturday @ 10am at ! 😍
Just $20 per participant and all proceeds go to support Pregnant Mare Rescue. 💞
No prior yoga or horse experience required.

Questions? Message .stables for more information!

10/13/2024

Proud of my beautiful friend Eva Jones and Magical horsemanship ! A wonderful piece in The Network magazine - grab a copy and see for yourself!

10/07/2024

This weekend I began a 300 hr. Yoga Teacher Training with Mark Stephens Yoga here in Santa Cruz. Our first piece of homework was composing a haiku about our intentions for practicing, teaching, and studying yoga. This is what came to me. My relationship with yoga continues to grow and evolve, but one constant is the freedom I feel on my mat (or in my chair). Yoga helps me feel into the present moment, release what does not serve me, and embrace the ever shifting flow. 🙏

10/04/2024

If you seek connection, love horses, enjoy yoga, or want to support a good cause, join us for Yoga With Horses at Pregnant Mare Rescue!
This 1 hr. all-level chair yoga class includes meditation, breathwork, and accessible yoga poses designed to help you find your center and embrace your authentic self. No prior horse or yoga experience is required.
Questions? Message Free Spirit Stables for more information.

09/09/2024

Do you love dancing? Do you love horses? Join us for a day of Dancing with Horses Sept 29th at Free Spirit Stables! Details on my website: https://www.freespiritstables.com/dance-events

09/02/2024

Companion walking is a gift you receive when you have a magnetic connection with your horse. 💞

09/01/2024

One week from today Pony Bill & I will be strutting our stuff at the Santa Cruz County Horsemens Association open house! We’d love to see you there 🙌

08/28/2024

Just me and my best pals enjoying the sunshine at .stables !!

06/29/2024

“Your energy is your tack.” - Carolyn Resnick

06/21/2024

No matter the species or mode of communication, when we are present to those around us it’s easier to notice who has something they want to share, and who is willing to lend an ear. From this seemingly simple foundation, connections blossom seamlessly.

06/19/2024

When wandering down the path of Liberty Horsemanship, I had no idea how lucky I was to stumble across Carolyn Resnick’s method. What Carolyn teaches goes far beyond horsemanship. It’s a journey of self-discovery and personal growth guided by the gift of connection. After 3 years of studying full-time, I’m beyond proud to say I am fully certified to share this powerful method with the world. I can hardly wait to see what discoveries await as I continue learning and growing.

05/29/2024

4 years ago I sat at my cubicle and dreamed of working with horses. 3 years ago I started studying with Nan Zintsmaster and Carolyn Resnick and it felt like a dream come true. 2 years ago I moved to my property and welcomed my first horses and it felt like a dream come true. Last year my dear friend Eva Jones moved her horses here, turning this property into a community and it felt like a dream come true. Next week I’m traveling to Carolyn Resnick’s ranch in Escondido CA to teach a clinic alongside Carolyn, Nan, and Eva and it feels like a dream come true!!! Looking back, I can hardly believe where I am today and can hardly imagine what dreams lie ahead. ✨🌈🦄

05/15/2024

What do you imagine when you think of “Horse Yoga?” Many of us picture people doing crazy poses on horseback and a Google search would reinforce that image! While yoga poses on horseback are an exhilarating part of the practice, yoga with horses has even more to offer. The core principles of yoga offer a pathway to practice on or off the mat and in or out of the saddle.

The first of these yoga principles is Ahimsa or Non-Harm. Ahimsa encompasses both physical and mental/emotional non-violence. When we practice Ahimsa we do no bodily harm to ourselves or any other being, we respect physical and emotional boundaries, we honor our authentic selves, and we avoid negative thoughts about ourselves and others.

What might a day with your horse look like without Ahimsa? Imagine you’re getting ready to spend time with your horse. You put on your spurs grab a whip and mount up. For some reason, your horse has decided they don’t want to go to the far end of the arena today. The facility you’re at is crowded and you can feel people watching you. Under their gaze, judgments and insecurities bubble up in your mind. Maybe you label your horse as lazy, or yourself as incompetent. To escape these negative thoughts you drill down on your horse driving them toward the far end of the arena. Your horse fights you and you can feel their resistance building until it boils over as your horse bolts away.

Now let’s look at the same situation through the lens of Non-Harm. Imagine grabbing a good book and a chair as you go to see your horse. You sit with them as they enjoy the last of their breakfast and your quiet company. When you mount up, you notice your horse is avoiding the far end of the arena. You can feel the eyes of others on you as you come to a halt. You can feel judgments and insecurities bubbling up, but you recognize them as old stories you used to tell yourself. You have better stories now. You remind yourself that you’re a confident and caring person. Your horse is a magnificent being who always does their best. You pause and take a few deep breaths, feeling yourself unwind and relax. You release and your horse sighs, releasing with you. You feel connection growing as you pause and breathe together. When you ask your horse to move forward, they do so willingly.

While these are representative imaginings, the feelings in each are real. Which feelings would you prefer? Practicing Ahimsa teaches us to build relationships on harmony rather than harm. We learn to be mindful of the thoughts and judgments we apply to ourselves and others. We stay true to ourselves and our horses and enjoy our journey over our destination. We find that harmony attracts harmony and our continued practice of Ahimsa welcomes deeper relationships with ourselves and others.

Can you envision how you might apply Ahimsa in your life? Is there a time when you practiced Non-Harm with yourself or your horse? If so, how did you feel about it? Let us know in the comments below.

Namaste,
Hannah Francis & Terry Lillian Newton

05/10/2024

We’re thrilled to announce an exclusive opportunity to join the godmother of liberty horsemanship herself, Carolyn Resnick! Joining her will be liberty professional Nancy Zintsmaster, at Carolyn’s serene ranch in Escondido, California.
Together, we’ll embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure filled with learning, growth, and connection. Carolyn will lead us through the first two days, imparting her wisdom on self-connection and horse-human bonding.
Then, Nancy will guide us through the mesmerizing waterhole rituals over the next two days. As passionate horsewomen, we’re excited to share our collective knowledge and expertise in liberty techniques, fostering deeper connections between horses and humans.
If you’re eager to join us for this intimate clinic, please reach out to Nancy Zintsmaster at [email protected].
We can’t wait to meet you and welcome you into our community of like-minded individuals dedicated to the art of horse-human connection!

05/02/2024

Find freedom in the presence of horses! Magical Horsemanship & Free Spirit stables offer weekly meditation and yoga with horses in addition to amazing events like our Moonlight Dancing View the full calendar of events at www.FreeSpiritStables.com/events.
We’re looking forward to seeing you!

Heart to Heart Yoga Registration - Link also in the bio!: https://www.freespiritstables.com/yoga-classes/p/heart2heart

09/15/2023

Back from a life-changing experience with Kindred Spirits in Costa Rica! Proud to announce I’m an officially certified Equine Yoga Instructor 😄 I can’t say enough wonderful things about my teachers Terry, Johanna, and their horses. My head and heart are full to bursting with all I’ve learned and I’m excited to bring this knowledge back to Free Spirit Stables in Santa Cruz, CA! Check out my website for these new offerings: www.freespiritstables.com/yoga-with-horses

Many thanks to Lexi of Kindred Spirits for capturing these amazing memories! 📷🙏

Address

1148 Green Valley Road
Watsonville, CA
95076

Website

http://www.freespiritstables.com/

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Videos

Will Pony Bill accept a rider? As a rescue pony, we don’t know much about Bill’s past. We think he may have been ridden before, but since he’s been with me, any kid requesting to ride has been met with a firm “No thank you.” That is, until Ayla came along. Ayla has spent the last 2 months building a fast friendship with Bill. Step by step they’ve developed trust, respect, and a clear understanding with each other. Last week we wondered if this relationship would translate in the saddle… and it did! Their first “ride” was short & sweet and Bill was a perfectly willing partner. I’m delighted for both of them ✨ It’s such a joy to watch their connection blossom 🌸 #pony #love #ride #rescue #connection #friendship #relationship #LibertyHorsemanship #trust #respect #bond #FreeSpirit

Horses and dancing have set me free for as long as I can remember🪽 When I saw @resnickmethod dancing *with* horses I knew I had to learn more. As I studied how to dance with horses I was amazed by the similarities with learning to partner dance. Both require us to connect with another being, communicate with body language, and know when to lead and when to follow. The more I learned the more I dreamed of a class combining partner dancing and horsemanship techniques. This Dancing Day is the happy result! I’m so grateful to the beautiful open-minded people who showed up fully ready to play and dance. 💃 I’m looking forward to building on this class and offering more like it in the new year. Let me know if you want to dance with us at the next one! #horse #pony #dance #play #fun #connect #communicate #BodyLanguage #lead #follow #LibertyHorsemanship #ResnickMethod #FreeSpirit

Would you like to dance? 💃🕺Join us for a day of Dancing with Horses on September 29th! During this one-day workshop, you’ll learn the foundations of partner dancing, how to communicate clearly with body language, work with instinctual movement, establish connection, and be a leader others want to follow. Enjoy special pricing for this first-ever Dancing Day at Free Spirit Stables! Tickets are limited, reserve your spot today at: www.freespiritstables.com/dance-events (Link in the Bio) #horse #pony #liberty #communication #connection #partner #dance #lead #follow #SantaCruz #FreeSpirit

Do you crave connection? Join a Heart to Heart yoga session the second Saturday of each month at 11am. Register in advance at www.FreeSpiritStables.com/yoga - link in the bio. #horse #pony #yoga #namaste #HeartToHeart #peace #presence #connection #relationship #partner #grattitude #FreeSpirit

Final Gem 💎 Update 💔 At 34 years old, Gem has developed a neurological issue with his hind legs and is no longer able to move with ease. It breaks my heart but Gem is ready to say goodbye. Having Gem with us at Free Spirit Stables over the last year has been an unbelievable gift. I will miss him dearly, as will the herd and everyone who had the opportunity to experience the kindhearted joy he brought to the world. 🌈 ❤️ #horse #pony #friend #love #bond #connection #grattitude #gift #loss #life #death #peace #RIP #FreeSpirit

Pony Bill came into my life through the incredible efforts of @fairytaleminis ❤️ Eternally thankful for their work and for those like them who find horses loving homes. #horse #pony #friend #love #rescue #bond #connection #relationship #partner #grattitude #FreeSpirit

Mick, short for McCartney has been one of my best horsey friends for 20 years! He is truly one of a kind and I couldn’t be more grateful for his companionship. ❤️ #horse #pony #friend #love #bond #connection #relationship #partner #grattitude #gift #FreeSpirit

Graduation! Fully Certified to teach Carolyn Resnick’s method of Liberty Horsemanship

It’s difficult to find words to describe how impactful this experience was. Teaching my first big clinic alongside my friend Eva Jones, and our mentors Carolyn Resnick and Nancy Zintsmaster was so much more than I could have dreamed. We were blessed with fabulous participants from all over the country willing to show up authentically and dive right in. The combination of mindset sessions guided by Carolyn & Eva with the liberty horsemanship sessions led by Nan and me facilitated beautiful connections with ourselves, each other, and the horses. I can only hope I feel the same deep sense of community with all future clinics. In short, the best words to describe how I feel are: Thank you with all my heart. 🙏❤️ #horse #teaching #learning #dream #mentor #friends #LibertyHorsemanship #mindset #grow #community #grattitude #FreeSpirit

Happy Star Wars Day! Mick & I are here to practice a Darth Vader breathing technique also known as ujjayi breath. This is a fabulous practice to anchor you in the present moment, help you focus, and calm your nervous system. Enjoy and May the Fourth & the horse be with you, always! ❤️🐴✨