TRAIN THE RIDER'S SPINE LIKE NEVER BEFORE!
Become a Certified Rider Biomechanics Trainer and learn to teach spinal coordination, posture in motion, and fascia-based support with precision and impact.
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EMBODIED RIDER BIOMECHANICS
SPINE TRAINER DIPLOMA
Starts: September 9, 2025
LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE
Mentorship-Based Certification
REGISTER NOWTrain Your Seat™ has transformed the way equestrians ride, teach, and train. This isn't just anatomy—it’s applied biomechanics through embodied learning. You’ll use the signature framework to guide your students from insight to integration. With the support of imagery, props, and precision cueing, you’ll learn how to teach riders to feel their own anatomy in motion—so they can change how they ride, not just how they sit..
NOW, IT'S YOUR TURN
Gain the tools to teach spine-centered biomechanics with clarity and confidence—guiding riders to move fluidly with their horses through strategic imagery, functional alignment, and dynamic stability practices.
This isn’t just learning—it’s mastery!
REGISTER NOWABOUT THIS PROGRAM
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This immersive training covers detailed spinal biomechanics, functional movement, and advanced coaching techniques—tailored specifically to equestrians. Learn to teach riders from the inside out—using anatomical insight, refined movement patterns, and powerful imagery to create real-time improvements in balance, feel, and communication with their horse.
💡 What You’ll Gain:
✔️ In-depth knowledge of spinal biomechanics & functional movement
✔️ Hands-on application with imagery-based biomechanics coaching
✔️ Proven techniques to improve rider posture, coordination, and stability
Walk away certified to lead lessons and clinics that combine biomechanical precision with movement-based coaching—helping your riders build lasting postural resilience and spine-led connection.
Our students agree—this advanced course is a pivotal step in professional growth, providing practical depth that transforms equestrian coaching!
REGISTER NOW →WHAT'S INCLUDED
Intensive Training & Live Sessions
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30+ Hours of In-Depth Theory and Application
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Live online training webinars delivered via Zoom
On-Demand Resources & Learning Tools
- Online Educator Portal with Riding Application Videos (available on-demand)
- Train Your Seat Equestrian Spine Trainer Manual
Personalized Mentorship & Coaching
- Individually Assigned Mentor
- Personalized Mentorship Meetings
- 1:1 Mentorship Coaching Sessions Tailored to Your Specific Goals and Challenges
Community & Certification
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Train Your Seat Certified Trainer Forum Community
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Embodied Rider Biomechanics Spine Trainer Certification
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Train Your Seat Trainer License
Online Program
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You’ll be able to access training videos conveniently through our dedicated video portal, Train Your Seat Online, at any time that suits you best.
Instructors
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Alysen Starko-Bowes
Founder Train Your Seat Equestrian & Embodied Rider Biomechanics
Investment
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Investment: 1800 USD
Payment plans are also available!
BONUS: Equestrian Ball Training Course
($547 USD value)
As part of your certification, you’ll receive exclusive access to the Ball Training Course — a unique toolkit designed to elevate your teaching. This course provides innovative techniques using balls in the saddle to enhance riders' feel, proprioception, and body awareness. By incorporating this method, you’ll be able to guide riders in developing a refined sense of balance and movement, empowering them to connect more intuitively with their horses. This bonus course adds extra depth to your skill set, setting you apart as a trainer with specialized tools for optimal rider biomechanics.
SPINE TRAINER DIPLOMA COURSE SCHEDULE
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Weekend Intensives (8 AM - 11 AM MST)
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September 27-28 (Sat-Sun)
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October 11-12 (Sat-Sun)
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November 15-16 (Sat-Sun)
Weekly Classes (11 AM - 1 PM MST)
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September 9 – Welcome Call & Fundamentals
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September 22 – Spinal Joints & Movement
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October 2 – Muscles of the Spine in Motion
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October 7 – Fascia & Elastic Support of the Spine
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October 20 – Teaching the Spine: Cueing & Imagery
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November 3 – Trainer Pedagogy & Biomechanics in Lessons
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November 12 – Case Studies & Movement Analysis
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December 3 – Final Integration & Application
Schedule Subject to Change: This schedule is a guideline and may be adjusted as needed to best support learning. While changes are rare, some topics may be covered more quickly or require additional time.
SPINE TRAINING MANUAL
YOUR BIOMECHANICS BLUEPRINT
Gain access to the 100+ page Train Your Seat™ Spine Trainer Manual—a comprehensive, science-based guide that deepens your understanding of spinal biomechanics in equestrian movement. This manual explores the functional anatomy of the spine, including vertebrae, joints, intervertebral discs, and connective tissues. It covers how muscular and fascial systems influence rider posture, flexibility, and coordination, along with the essential role of breathing, alignment, and the central axis in maintaining dynamic balance. Designed with both clarity and application in mind, the manual bridges anatomical theory with real-world coaching strategies, making it an invaluable resource for trainers who want to improve rider performance through a deeper connection to movement. With detailed illustrations and practical teaching cues, it’s your go-to reference for helping riders move with more awareness, efficiency, and harmony in the saddle.
SNEAK PEAK:
INSIDE THE TRAIN YOUR SEAT™ SPINE TRAINER MODULES
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This comprehensive certification program is designed to give you a deep, practical understanding of spinal biomechanics and its role in equestrian movement. Through interactive learning, structured movement sequences, and hands-on applications, you’ll gain the skills to refine rider posture, movement, stability, and balance.
INTRODUCTION OF THE SPINE
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This module provides a foundational understanding of the spine’s anatomy and biomechanics, exploring its vital role in rider alignment, posture, and communication with the horse. You’ll learn how the spine functions as a dynamic support structure, allowing for balance and adaptability in the saddle.
THE JOINTS OF THE SPINE
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This module explores the movable joints between vertebrae that allow the spine to flex, extend, and rotate. You’ll learn how joint mobility affects rider fluidity, coordination, and the ability to absorb motion while maintaining a stable and responsive seat.
THE INTERVERTEBRAL DISCS
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In this module, we examine the structure and function of the intervertebral discs—cushion-like pads that sit between each vertebra. You’ll understand how they contribute to shock absorption, spinal mobility, and how their health directly influences a rider’s comfort and movement.
THE LIGAMENTS OF THE SPINE
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This module highlights the ligament systems that stabilize and support the spinal column. You’ll explore how these connective tissues help maintain postural integrity and limit excessive movement, playing a key role in a rider’s spinal safety and structure under load.
ATLANTO-OCCIPITAL JOINT
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Dive into the biomechanics of the joint between the skull and the top of the spine. This module reveals how this joint supports head balance, visual focus, and upper body alignment—essential elements for coordinated and relaxed riding.
INTRODUCTION TO MUSCLES
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This module introduces the basic principles of muscle anatomy and function, laying the groundwork for understanding how muscle systems work in harmony with the spine. You’ll explore how muscular coordination supports balanced posture and effective riding mechanics.
ERECTOR SPINAE MUSCLES
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In this module, we explore the long, powerful muscles that run along the back of the spine. You’ll learn how the erector spinae group contributes to upright posture, spinal extension, and sustained strength during riding activities.
THE RIBS
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This module focuses on the ribcage as a structural and functional component of the torso. You’ll examine how rib mobility and alignment affect breathing, spinal motion, and the rider’s ability to maintain fluid upper body movement.
FASCIA OF THE LOWER BACK
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Explore the connective tissue network that integrates muscles and movement in the lower back. This module reveals how fascia influences spinal mobility, stability, and how restrictions in this area can impact overall rider biomechanics.
THE CORE
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This module explores the core as a central support system for the spine and pelvis. You’ll learn how to engage and strengthen key muscle groups to improve postural control, dynamic stability, and coordinated movement in the saddle.
THE CENTRAL AXIS
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In this module, we introduce the concept of the central axis—a vertical line through the rider’s body that supports balance and alignment. You’ll discover how cultivating awareness of this axis leads to better symmetry, responsiveness, and harmony with the horse’s movement.
MEET YOUR MENTOR
ALYSEN STARKO-BOWES
Alysen is the founder of Embodied Rider Biomechanics by Train Your Seat™
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Alysen Starko-Bowes is the founder of Train Your Seat®, an international rider biomechanics education program. With a background in psychology, competitive dance, and extensive training in kinesiology, biomechanics, and imagery, she helps equestrians move with precision, fluidity, and feel. Alysen developed her approach after years of studying mind-body movement and now certifies trainers around the world in teaching anatomically-informed, embodied rider coaching that improves performance and partnership.
NOT SURE IF THIS PROGRAM IS RIGHT FOR YOU? LET CHAT
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BOOK A FREE 30-MINUTE DISCOVERY CALL
We understand that investing in a professional certification is a big decision. That’s why we’re offering a completely free, no-obligation discovery call to:
- Discuss your training & career goals
- Help you determine if this certification aligns with your needs
- Answer any questions about the program, payment plans, and what to expect
WHAT OUR STUDENTS THINK:
“This course will fundamentally change the way you ride and the way you coach others. The knowledge and the experience of feeling the change in your own body as you apply what you have learned by either working with the simulator yourself of coaching others through the process will set you apart from other trainers in the market. It is worth the investment in both time and money.”
Yolanda Delport
Train Your Seat Rider Biomechanics Trainer, Biomechanics & Centred Riding Trainer, FEI Dressage Steward
“I have attended many online courses in different topics. This one with Alysen Starko-Bowes at Train Your Seat is really world class. For me, this is much better than going to a course in person. Having the opportunity to re-watch the webinars several times is fantastic. And thanks to all my classmates who shared all their wisdom during the course. Hope to meet you next course!”
- Pernilla Elving
Train Your Seat Rider Biomechanics Trainer, Franklin Method® Equestrian Spine Trainer, Väderstad Sweden
“Practical learning through experience, movement, anatomy and biomechanics has made all the difference for me. Both personally and in working with clients. Results come so much faster!”
- Janneke Jansen
Train Your Seat Rider Biomechanics Trainer Franklin Method® Level 1 Educator, Zundert Netherlands
“Train Your Seat connects beautifully to the knowledge I already had, so I can weave it effortlessly into my lessons and even in horse coaching sessions. For me, it’s a great foundation and it gives immediate visible and tangible results.”
- Joyce van Asselt
Train Your Seat Rider Biomechanics Trainer
"Truly one of the best distance learning courses"
I have taken a lot of distance learning courses and this was truly one of the best. Very pedagogic and all the exercises meant that I did not get tired during the four hours. For me, this is much better than going on a course live. Having the opportunity to watch webinar several times is fantastic
"Complex topics are explained in a simple, straightforward way"
Overall I really enjoyed the course! Alysen has a way of explaining even complex topics in a simple, straightforward way which I really appreciated as someone who has had zero previous training on anatomy. I will definitely be back for another one
"What I love when teaching is how clients get instant feedback"
Overall I really enjoyed the course! Alysen has a way of explaining even complex topics in a simple, straightforward way which I really appreciated as someone who has had zero previous training on anatomy. I will definitely be back for another one
FULL DETAILS
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How does this training benefit equestrians?
Who should take this training?
How will this impact my teaching skills?
What can I expect from this Certification?
What’s the structure of the training?
What does the training fee cover?
What can I teach after completing this certification?
You'll be able to teach the following clinics:
PAYMENT PLANS
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