Re: [TANGO-L] Teaching & Community Development (on skiing)

[astrid <astrid @RUBY.PLALA.OR.JP>]

Andrew wrote:
>
> Roger wrote: "Skiing though - I can't feel a connection - and I've never
> felt a similarity." Roger, next time you go skiing and want to turn, use
> your center to turn your torso (imagine you are holding a large beach ball
> in your arms, and simply move it to the side to which you wish to turn). I
> think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the result (effortless turns).
>
I have not skied for a few winters, but I remember this:
The first day I was taught to ski by some relatives many years ago,
everybody was surprised at how quickly I got into it, and that by the end of
the second day I could ski all the way downhill by myself without ever
falling. The reason was this: I had learned horse riding for years, and this
requires changes of direction accomplished by moving your pelvis and
shifting the weight of your body. Changing direction when skiiing is
basically the same. Now, as for the similarity to tango:
You walk forward keeping your feet on, or close to the ground ( on even
ground, not when going uphill), sliding your feet alternately along the
ground, keeping the knees slightly bent to flexibly support your body. Then
you launch yourself into the diagonal slope, and when  you change direction
(to avoid another skier, or because of the formation of the snow), you first
turn your head to see where you are going, then you turn your torso, pushing
out your chest to add some force ("intention" is what counts), then you
quickly whip around your pelvis into the direction of your twisted upper
body, keeping your ankles and knees close together and slightly lifting up
your heels- turn accomplished. Then you do this into the other direction.
Get it, Roger ? What I am talking about, is doing ochos on the snow !
And any skier knows, that his upper body is the all powerful tool for
steering, and that the move of the upper body in a turn is followed by
moving the pelvis, and not the other way around.

Enjoy
Astrid