BUTTERFLY STROKE
Level 1
- 1Suggested supporting hand placement: the shoulder. From the SUMCHI FAN stroke, drop into a lpnger stroke and run SUMCHI6 down the ribs.
- 2In the middle of the barrel, ending the stroke in line with the elbow.
- 3Go back up the barrel to the topline.
- 4First work towards the from of the horse then move back towards the stroke, reduce the stroke to ¼ or ½ the way down. Then from the last rib you you can flow back to the wither and repeat +/- 3 times.
The BUTTERFLY stroke is designed to improve the wellbeing of the barrel and start a SUMCHI connection with the ventral aspect of the horse’s body.
The BUTTERFLY stroke’s long flowing action along the barrel allows for a good connection with the intercostal nerves. The intercostal nerves innervate the intercostal muscles and external oblique abdominal muscles. These muscles are important for rib mobility (lung/ diaphragm expansion/contraction) and flexion of the ribs. Stroking up the last rib and returning to the wither encourages the heads of the ribs to move and thereby activates the muscles of the topline (iliocostalis and longissimus). This action also improves the connectivity and balance of the thoracolumbar fascia. The BUTTERFLY stroke can link into powerful points along meridians such as the Spleen, Stomach, and Liver.
“Breathing in (inspiration) and breathing out (expiration) are controlled mainly by the direction of the muscles that lie between the ribs”
Sara Wyche, The Horse’s Muscles in Motion