Offerings
Plan Overview
| Time | activity | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Morning Session | Focus: Self-Reflection & Inner Dialogue | The morning is dedicated to refining your inner strength and establishing your personal foundation through non-verbal communication. |
| 10:00 AM | Arrival & Orientation | Registration, gear fitting, meeting the horse partner, and introductory lecture on individual play (technique/rules). |
| 10:30 AM | Basic Riding & Solo Play | Fundamental riding instruction, The act of trying alternatives (practicing BATNA). |
| 11:30 AM | Lunch Break | Recharge body |
| Afternoon Session | Focus: Co-Creation & External Harmony | The afternoon centers on achieving mutual value and building Win-Win relationships through collaborative activity. |
| 12:40 PM | Afternoon Lecture | Instruction on group-based traditional play |
| 1:00 PM | The Process of Co-Creation | Working with others to accomplish a shared task, co-creating value (practicing Logrolling) |
| 2:00 PM | Tour Conclusion | Equipment return |
Upper Structure
Technique, Strategy, Control, Cues, Tactics.
In both negotiation and riding, the ‘upper structure’ is functional. It involves the practical mastery of action: for negotiation, it’s strategy and tactics; for riding, it’s physical cues and control. Execute effectively, establishing a clear, functional partnership with your horse.
Lower Structure
Trust, Ethics, Empathy, Mutual Respect, Foundation.
The ‘lower structure’ is the core. Just as ethical standards and trust form the base of successful negotiation, your partnership with the horse relies on mutual respect, non-verbal empathy, and ethical presence. We guide you to forge this essential, deeper foundation.
Safety Meets Serenity:
You can focus entirely on your inner dialogue and the non-verbal conversation with the horse, knowing you are in a secure and professional environment.
The Horses Are Partners:
The horses are specifically selected and trained to engage in this quiet, collaborative form of “moving meditation,” allowing you to practice the subtle art of non-verbal negotiation (BATNA/ZOPA) with a sensitive, responsive partner.
The Environment Inspires:
The natural tranquility of the Keihoku mountains provides the perfect backdrop for introspection and co-creation, embodying the Zen spirit that is essential to our philosophy.
20 Inatani, Keihoku-Kaminaka-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 601-0532, Japan
By working hand-in-hand with this exceptional partner, we guarantee a tour experience that is deeply effective, profoundly peaceful, and exclusively tailored to facilitate your journey toward achieving “Hana.”
The Philosophy Behind Zen Style Horse Riding
Focus on Process
Just as Zen emphasizes the importance of daily practice and present-moment awareness, and children’s play values the journey of discovery, a true Win-Win outcome values the process over the mere result. We focus on the how—how you connect with the horse, how you navigate the course, and how you engage with your partner.
Harmony Orientation
Zen seeks harmony between self and others, and successful Win-Win negotiations strive for mutually satisfying relationships. Similarly, Japanese children’s play often involves cooperation and maintaining group unity. Our riding style cultivates this harmony, teaching you to build a respectful and synchronized relationship with the horse, the environment, and your guides.
Multifaceted Value
While Win-Win outcomes are often measured commercially, we focus on the deeper, intangible value. Just as Zen values the richness of the spirit, and play generates creativity and bonds, our experience creates value beyond money—it fosters trust, creativity, and inner peace.
Ultimately, this philosophy guides us away from superficial victories and toward a deep appreciation for relationships and mutual growth, which lies at the heart of Japanese culture.
Step 1: Cultivate Your Inner “Hana”
Confronting the horse is confronting your inner self. The dialogue with a creature you cannot simply command becomes a real-time practice of the negotiation concept, BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement). This develops your “Power to Re-Examine” the core of any issue, allowing your inner confidence—your personal “Hana”—to begin to bloom.
Step 2: Draw Out the “Hana” in Others
Our riding experience, infused with elements of traditional Japanese children’s play, cultivates essential cooperation and social synergy. By practically applying the concept of ZOPA (Zone of Possible Agreement), you deepen mutual understanding. This mastery of relationships gives you the power to enrich and nurture the “Hana” in everyone around you.
Step 3: Allow the Whole to Flourish as One Grand “Hana”
When individual brilliance harmonizes, it plays out like a beautiful orchestra. Our experience teaches you the joy of achieving a true Win-Win relationship. Just like Logrolling in negotiation, where you cooperate to exchange differing priorities, you learn to co-create value, drawing out the greatest “Hana” from one another.
