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Professional and Life Coach Training through the Way of the Horse
An ontological and systemic approach to coaching
Professional and Life Coach Training through the Way of the Horse at Apache Springs Ranch is designed for both experienced and beginning coaches. It is also a practical tool for consultants, HR professionals, managers, and leaders.
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PLC through the Way of the Horse combines the core competency coaching skills/methodologies (as defined by the International Coaching Federation) with the power and transformational potential of the horse/human relationship. Learning these skills enables you to create abundance and possibilities for you and your clients.
At Epona, we will study and anchor Professional and Life Coaching skills through a deep journey of self-exploration and transformational learning. In addition to classroom and group process work, our equine coaches help us develop new competencies in working with and relating to others, exercising mind-body awareness, non-verbal communication, assertiveness, creativity, and leadership skills.
Benefits of the PLC through the Way of the Horse to you:
- You will learn how to coach.
- You will learn how to develop and market a coaching practice.
- You will learn how to transfer your Epona learning to your everyday life.
- Offers graduates the opportunity to apply for an ICF credential using the portfolio application
- Successful completion of the program also qualifies you to apply to enter the Epona Fast Track Apprenticeship Program, an accelerated program to become an Epona Approved Instructor in Equine-Facilitated Experiential Learning (EFEL).
The 11 month program consists of 4 on-site five-day experiences at the Epona Center in AZ plus independent study assignments in between sessions. This program focuses on developing new perspectives on learning and competency in managing your own transitions as well as learning how to utilize these new perspectives in coaching others.
An ontological approach to coaching
Life coaching through the Way of the Horse, a type of ontological coaching, is a unique approach to coaching that gets to the heart of what it means to be human.
The word "ontology" means study of being. Ontological Coaching is about coaching to the way of being, as a means of producing major shifts in perception and behavior. In life coaching through the Way of the Horse at the Epona Center, way of being is regarded as the driving influence of behavior. Our performance and effectiveness is shaped by our way of being.
Way of being is a combination of three interrelated spheres of human existence. These three spheres are language, emotions and physiology (body posture). Our way of being can be thought of as the internal reality we live in, which especially includes the relationship we have with ourselves. It is from this internal reality that we form our reality about the external world, how we participate in it and how we put this into action in our lives.
Why Horses? Horses are masters of nonverbal communication, and can easily assess and mirror our true feelings and intentions, even when we are not fully aware of them. Because they are preyed upon in nature, these sensitive, mindful creatures have maintained a highly developed ability to respond to their environment. Subtle changes and nuances that we may not be aware of can provoke behaviors in them that give us information about ourselves. These behaviors help us identify our own patterns that impact our lives, relationships and careers in a negative way or keep us from moving forward. To learn more about why horses...
Helping others to become aware of and identify their own patterns and impact on their lives is what coaching is all about.
Horses are powerful allies in helping us learn how to manifest success in life and work. They keep reminding us of our authentic goals and desires---and continually illustrate how to put them into action. Combined with a professional and life coaching methodology, this powerful learning allows you to efficiently work on yourself as means to develop your coaching skills for others.
PLC through the Way of the Horse is a coaching methodology that contains a set of tools for observing and shifting your way of being and how you interface with your environment, the basis of coaching. These can be divided into the three "tool kits" of language, emotions and body.
Through work with the highly sensory equine partners at Epona, we can engage in this methodology experientially.
It is this experiential learning with another being that differentiates Professional and Life Coaching through the Way of the Horse from other coaching programs.
The classroom concepts, combined with the work with the horses, support learning and skill development to transform your ability to perceive, take action and positively impact your own world - a combination essential for coaching mastery. Our models and practices are integral and cutting-edge.
How is PLC through the Way of the Horse structured? The eleven-month program consists of 4 on-site five-day experiences at the Epona Center in AZ plus independent study assignments in between sessions. This program focuses on developing new perspectives on learning and competency in managing your own transitions as well as learning how to utilize these new perspectives in coaching others.
The Epona PLC through the Way of the Horse is designed to fulfill the core competencies of the International Coaching Federation, (ICF).
- Setting the Foundation
- Co-Creating the Relationship
- Communicating Effectively
- Facilitating Learning and Results
Session Outlines
Week One: June 2-6, 2008
Setting the Foundation
- Class room work
- Introduction to Coaching
- The ICF competencies and standards
- Distinctions between therapy and coaching
- Somatic Listening 'I' as a Coach
- Body Scan
- Body ground
- Somatic Coaching basics
- Coaching agreement
- Setting the foundation
- Introduction to coaching model
- Co-Creating the relationship part one
- Epona ontological and experiential components
- Meet the Herd-Promotes engagement with others
- Body Scan-Awareness of body and others, moving into relationship
- Reflective Round Pen Work
- Emotional Messaging Chart
Week Two: October 13-17, 2008
Co-Creating the Relationship/Communicating Effectively
- Classroom Work
- Co-Creating the relationship part two
- Coaching presence and awareness
- Energetic and emotional intelligence
- Powerful communication
- Creating Presence
- Positive and Negative Intentionality
- Active Listening
- Somatic Listening II
- Powerful questions and purposeful inquiry
- Direct Communication
- Team/Group coaching
- Systemic debriefs and coaching practice and supervision
- Epona ontological and experiential components
- Active Round Pen Work
- Use of Multiple horses simultaneously
- Awareness of body and others, moving into relationship
- Emotion as Information
Week Three: December 1-5, 2008
Communicating Effectively/Facilitating Learning and Results
- Team/group coaching and systemic approach
- Systemic debriefs and coaching practice and supervision
- Facilitating Learning and Results-Part I
- Creating awareness
- For you
- For your clients
- Designing Actions
- Planning and Goal Setting
Week Four: To be determined
Facilitating Learning and Results
- Facilitating Learning and Results-Part II
- Creating awareness
- Designing Actions
- Planning and Goal Setting
- Managing Progress and Accountability
- Systemic debriefs and coaching practice and supervision.
- Marketing Your Practice
Cost and Application Process
Cost: $14,180
Includes tuition, on-site private room with a shared bath and three nutritious meals per day, all materials, and conference calls in between sessions.
Program is limited to 8 people.
PLC through the Way of the Horse Program Selection Process for 2007 - 2008
- Applicants are required to send in an electronic copy of their application to Kathy Riggins.
- Additionally, applicants must pay a $75 (US$) non-refundable processing fee payable to EponaQuest, LLC and mailed to that name at HC 1 Box 922; Sonoita, AZ 85637. On the check memo line, please write: PLC Training Program Processing Fee.
Note: A $25 fee is charged by Epona for any check returned from the bank. This is due when the party is notified of the return.
In this maximum four (4) page application letter, provide the following information submitted as a Microsoft Word Document - text only/no photos or graphics.
- Date application and include name, address, phone number, and email address
- Education
- List schools, programs, trainings, certifications, etc. that have supported your growth and development
- Include the name of teaching/training institution, year/time attended, and a one to two sentence description of the program, its purpose and value to you.
- Professional Experience in one or more of the following fields:
- Educator, consultant (specific field) o Licensed Mental Health Worker,
- Coach
- Alternative Human Health Care
- Unique Experience, Skills, Connections
- Other Note: Specify the number of years of experience you have in each area and the particular nature of each category (e.g. High School teacher for ten years.)
- Horse Experience (Note: Horse experience is not necessary for this program, though it is desirable for instructors to know ahead of time what level of horse experience participants have.)
- Describe your attraction to the field of Coaching. Why are you attracted to the Professional and Life Coach Training Program at Epona?
- Given the requirements and energetic demands of the PLC Program, describe how you will integrate it with your personal and work life during the year of training.
All applications will be carefully considered. Applicants will receive email notification as to whether or not they passed the paper-screening phase, whereupon a phone interview will be scheduled. Applicants accepted into the program will receive detailed instructions on location, lodging details, food service, and payment schedules.
To set up an interview and/or for more information contact us.
For more information and upcoming activities from Epona at Apache Springs Ranch, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the format of these 5-day sessions?
These 5-day on-site sessions at the Epona Center are highly interactive and incorporate dialogue, exercises, energy work, horse dancing and play. There are many opportunities to ask questions, interact with others and be coached.
What will we be doing in between these on-site sessions?
Between the on-site sessions, you'll be given independent study assignments that include reading and writing exercises, study group conversations with other participants and teleconferences.
Who will we be working with during the independent study assignments and supervision?
During the program, you'll work with an ICF-accredited coach, who will provide mentoring and feedback as you begin to coach others.
Are there any pre-requisites to the program?
As part of the course curriculum, you will be required to seek and secure your own coaching clients. One before Session Two begins, two before Session Three and three before Session Four.
Who are course leaders?
- Linda Kohonav, internationally recognized author, Founder/Director of the Epona Center
- Lisa Murrell, Professional Certified Coach (ICF), Epona Approved Instructor
- The Epona Herd
Adjunct Facilitators:
- Kathleen Barry Ingram, M.A., counselor, co-founder of the Epona Apprenticeship Program
- Marine Spring, Professional Certified Coach (ICF), graduate from Barbara Brennan School of Healing Science
- Shelley Rosenberg, Ranch Manager/Head Trainer of the Epona Center
- Paul Kwiecinski, Professional Certified Coach (ICF)
More about why horses?
Language, emotions and physiology create specific frequencies of energy…In any relationships we, (Like horses), human beings respond to energy of frequencies first. Our limited awareness and or limited beliefs constrain our behavior. The ontological approach to coaching will support you to develop your high sense perceptions and develop an energetic container that allows you to stay grounded, centered and open to express, expand and receive.
To learn more about why horses...
"Life coaching through the way of the horse is an opportunity to learn from the wisdom of the horses and the wisdom and brilliance of your body. " Marine Spring, PCC, graduate from Barbara Brennan School of Healing Science
About the Epona Center
Apache Springs Ranch in Sonoita, Arizona, is the home of the Epona International Study Center and equestrian retreat developed by the husband/wife team of author and horse trainer Linda Kohanov and recording artist Steve Roach.
The ranch and newly completed conference center with cantina and guest quarters is now presenting a range of equine, human potential and sound-music workshops throughout the year. This idyllic location offers a renewing retreat destination environment unique to southern Arizona.
Embraced by expansive views, ridges, canyons and massive cottonwood trees, all of which contribute to a soulful atmosphere, the historic Apache Springs Ranch sits at 5,000 feet. Originally homesteaded by Tom Gardner in the late 1800's and a stopping point for the Apaches before that, the beautiful 130-acre property is located in the Santa Rita Mountain Range of southern Arizona in scenic Gardner Canyon, just 15 minutes from the crossroads at Sonoita in southern Arizona's wine country. Surrounded on all sides by Coronado National Forest and located an eighth of a mile from the Arizona Trail, the ranch provides a private, serene setting less than an hour from the Tucson airport.
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