Q: The main reason to post while riding is to avoid being jostled around in the saddle during a particularly bumpy gait - the trot. This makes things more comfortable for the rider and is easier on the horse's back.  Once you become more experienced with the rising trot, it is also possible to change the horse's rhythm simply by posting more quickly or slowly. The horse will alter his rhythm to match with your own, thus sometimes eliminating the need for hand and leg signals. Urge your horse into a steady forward trot. Now, pay attention to the horse's strides - notice how the trot has two beats? Good. This will help you to understand how posting works.  During a trot, the horse's left hind leg and right front leg (which are diagonal to one another) move simultaneously, and vice versa. This is what riders are talking about when they refer to "diagonals" - the simultaneous movement of diagonal front and back legs. These diagonals will greatly influence your rising trot. When performed correctly, the rider will rise from his/her seat when the inside hind leg and outside front leg are moving forward and sit when the outside hind leg and inside front leg are moving forward. The reason for this is because the horse's inside hind leg is the one which propels him forward. Rising out of your seat while this leg is in motion will encourage the horse to stretch the leg further under his body, and therefore producing a more effective stride. At first, it can be difficult to tell which diagonal your horse is on. A good trick is to watch your horse's outside shoulder. You should rise out of your seat as his shoulder moves forward and sit back down as it moves back. If the movement is difficult to pinpoint, stick a bandage or piece of colored tape on the horse's shoulder. This makes the movement easier to see. Once you start posting your legs will likely be sore, but you'll gain more thigh muscles over time.
A: Understand why posting is done. Understand diagonals. Realize that posting should be done using your thigh muscles, not your legs.

Q: One of the best ways to relieve the pain of plantar fasciitis is to rest it. This means staying off of it as much as you can. When you are home or at work, try to stay seated and only walk on it if you have to. You might consider using crutches for a few days to take all pressure off the foot. If you usually do exercises that use your foot, consider doing something different, like swimming or weight lifting. An arch support can help distribute the pressure of your foot in an even way, which can take the extra stress off your plantar fascia. You can also use a heel cup.  You can get an arch support without a prescription at many drug stores, medical supply stores, and pharmacies.  These foot supports go inside your shoes. Examples of arch supports that come with a soft cushion are Spenco and  Cross Trainers. For some people, a custom-made support may be needed. These can be acquired through your doctor. Ice is helpful with plantar fasciitis pain because it works to reduce inflammation. You can use an ice pack on the bottom of your foot for 20 minutes three to four times a day. You can also try using an ice bath, which is where you soak your foot in an ice and water mixture for about ten to fifteen minutes.  Make sure to place a cloth or towel between the ice pack and your skin. Heat generally doesn't help plantar fasciitis pain, but if the ice doesn't help, you can try a heating pad after a couple days to see if it will relieve pain.
A: Rest your foot. Use a foot support. Use an ice pack.

Q: Reflective-intention techniques, also known as the Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreaming (MILD) require you to think about the kinds of things you dream about, or the typical features of your dreams, before you go to bed. This helps you recognize them while you are dreaming. Before you go to bed, consider what your dreams are like. Notable features of dreams may include things such as:  Fantastic imagery Unusual locations Seeing individuals you recognize Illogical actions Wish fulfillment If you believe you can be aware of your dreams while you are having them, and remember them upon waking, then you are more likely to actually do so. Before going to sleep, tell yourself something like “I’m going to have some really interesting dreams tonight. I can’t wait to enter one and see where it takes me.” Preliminary research suggests that vitamin B6 can increase the vividness and memorability of your dreams. Vitamin B6 supplements are readily available at pharmacies and other stores. Consider taking one before you sleep as an aid for lucid dreaming. You can also increase your intake of vitamin B6 by eating more of certain foods, including:  Avocados Bananas Beans Meat (beef, pork, and poultry) Nuts Whole grains Fortified breads and cereals Melatonin is a hormone produced naturally in the body and synthetically in laboratories. It helps regulate sleep cycles, in addition to other uses. Research shows that melatonin can increase the vividness and bizarreness of dreams. This may increase the likelihood that you will be aware of your dreams as you have them, and so you may want to take melatonin before attempting to dream lucidly.  Melatonin is available in pill and other forms. Look for it at a pharmacy. Taking melatonin can lead to side effects or negative interactions with other medications you may be taking. Talk with a doctor before taking melatonin. This substance (5-Hydroxotryptophan) is derived from another substance, L-Tryptophan, and is also produced from the seeds of an African plant (Griffonia simplicifolia). 5-HTP is used to treat insomnia and other conditions, and some believe that it can help users achieve lucid dreams.  5-HTP is available in pill form from pharmacies (over-the-counter). 5-HTP can cause side effects such as nausea and muscle problems. In addition, it can have negative interactions with a variety of other medications, such as anti-depressants. Talk with a doctor before taking 5-HTP. Often prescribed to treat Alzheimer’s disease, galantamine helps produce substances that increase brain function and memory. Some research shows that it can cause vivid dreams, and so you may want to take galantamine in order to increase the likelihood that you will have lucid dreams.  Galantamine is available in tablet, capsule, and liquid forms. Look for it at a pharmacy. Taking galantamine can produce side effects such as an upset stomach. Talk with a doctor before taking galantamine. Since it can increase the vividness of dreams, nightmares can also be a side effect of galantamine.
A:
Focus on what your dreams are like. Tell yourself you will have interesting, memorable dreams. Increase your intake of vitamin B6. Take melatonin. Take 5-HTP. Take galantamine.