Ever since that last riding lesson, and even more so after the tale of the green man in the brain, I have been focusing so much on what I did wrong, and how to improve it.. Doing so, I have used my bike. Living in what is called 'the bike capital of Europe', that was a piece of cake. My bike has one of those wide seats, and up until last week, I have hated it, just because it tilts my pelvis forward, and I end up sitting with a kink in my back and a sore symphysis and 'lady-parts'.
So, I figured, I could try to start straightening my pelvis when riding that bike.
It quite easy to do this on a bike, as it (most of the time) does exactly what I want, so that I can focus on the pelvis without messing stuff up.
It really felt kinda weird the first couple of times, the Herr Doktor of my relationship was of course wondering why I was sitting that way on the bike (but then again, his biggest concern when it comes to horses, if how they are neighing

), and my hip flexors were sore.
The next couple of times, it felt more natural, and I could start observing what happened to my body;as my pelvis was held straight, the abdominal muscles were activated, and my thighs were abducted, in short, my pelvis 'opened' AND my shoulders, my damned shoulders naturally sank backwards, as I know they should.
I still have to remind myself to do it, but it comes more natural to me now, hah! take that, little green Man-in-the-brain!
Ring a bike is something quite different, but its all about being aware and adjusting the movement-patterns we have grown into - and being aware of the adujstment needed/being done.
So today, I went to the stable, still a bit shameful from the last time, and fearing they'd 'downgraded' me to another horse.
We always have to come an hour or so earlier, to hunt the horses from the fields and prepare them ourselves, so I came much much earlyer, eager to try, but also worried. I automatically went and got my Diamond, prepared him, and started to ride.
After 15 minutes or so, Renate told me that I should stop riding, let Diamond back out on the fields and go fetch 'Donna Watonga' - "the biggest, blackest mare out there" . Those were her exact words.
I felt like I'd been punched in my stomach, but obediently (albeit annoyed with Renate's smile) went to fetch the biggest Wesfahler out there.
I fetched her, brought her to the stables, put on the saddle and bridle and was charmed by her gentle character while doing so, but I was still seriously sulky....
Until I got up on her back, that was. This was no downgrade, by god, it was an upgrade!
Renate explained that Donna is one of the youngest horses in the stable, with her mere 6 years, and that only skilled riders gets to ride her, because she needs to be educated aswell..
Riding Donna was not an easy task, she is big , and she has just grown into her body ( Renate was in doubt she would ever stop growing) so she is not yet fully developed musclewise- or coordinationwise. This meant that I really had to ride her, helping her find the balance, enabling her to lift her back and shoot forwards.
With my new found place in the saddle, Donna really started working, and I felt as comfortable as I have ever done in a saddle. As she was in need of a very 'present' rider, I was constantly reminded when I was not riding, and instantly rewarded when I was.
As you pointed out before, too much theory is not necessarily a good thing, as was my experience last time.
Now, this time, I had actually been working actively to override the Man in my brain, and could focus on other things, riding for example:P
My pelvis is still not perfectly in place, but most of the time, it close, and some of the time it is. I feel it when it is, and Donna does too. 3 quartes of an hour with goose bumbs is a good sign. I think I understand the mechanics behind it, especially after your last post, and I think its mostly about me and my man in the brain.
I have never really had posture-problems, but I notice now, that with my newfound pelvic posture, that I have a tendency to look down at Donna's ears, and that by dong so, I'm loosing touch with her mouth. (i think i look down because it gives me a false sense of balance?)
When looking up, I automatically pull my shoulders back, my hands up, increase contact with Donna's mouth and bring Donna into a better state of balance.
Also, I did something I can only translate into 'umbilical grip' to modulate the speed of donnas gait in stead of just squeesing my thighs together or tugging the reins on Renate's order; when exhaling, I would pull my abdominal muscles (without messing up the pelvis ofc) towards my umbilicus, and when relaxing them, Donna slowed down. Completely amazing!!!!
I must really really thank you for taking the time to answer despite the fact that I have not yet had the opportunity to ride under your guidance..
It really matters!