The Zen of Skiing

[ski diva]

I've had the pleasure recently of speaking with both Deb Armstrong and Didi Lawrence, and each said essentially the same thing: that for them, skiing is a metaphor for life.

Then there was a recent thread talking about Kristin Ulmer's Ski To Live Clinics, which focus on the mental and spiritual aspect of skiiing.

I sense a common theme here. So I'm curious -- what do you ladies think about this? Do you see skiing as simply an activity that's loads of fun, or does it represent something more to you, be it spiritual or philosophical? And if so, would you be willing to share it with us?

 

[Ski Spirit]

For me, it's far more than a fun activity. It is a metaphor for life in many ways. Fear is a factor that has impacted my life from childhoold on. One reason that I ski is to confront fear and move beyond it (also the reason i did the self defence training).

Skiing teaches a person to trust their body and their instincts. One also learns to surrender to gravity. As the former Controller for a company, being in control has been central to my life. But skiing requires that you give up control of the things that seem obvious (leaning into the hill=safe) and surrender yourself to falling. The joy that comes with that experience is astonishing.

There is an incredible sense of empowerment that can come from skiing. Learning to do something that scared you, doing things that are counter-intuitive.

I remember coming in from a storm day, the best ski day I've ever had, being covered in snow and ice, and I felt so strong...like I could do anything!! If you had told me at one point that I would have considered that fun, I wouldn't have believed it.

When I ski, I feel like I'm really present (more so on certain days than others) but there is a connection with the mountain and the world.

I think there is a spiritual aspect to almost everything in life. It just stands out more for certain activities. Skiing is an experience that feels as if it's above everyday life.

There was a thread in epic (sorry dont know how to reference) that talked about the hope an adaptive ski instructor provided to a young girl visiting from the UK by helping her to experience adaptive skiing. It wasn't simply a fun day for the girl but offerred her a view/reminder of the joy that can be present in life even when circumstances are a lot more difficult. To me, offerring that kind of hope to someone is a form of spiritual experience.

If Kristin Ulmer is able to help people to understand how their experience with skiing may help them to see a bigger picture about what is important to them in life, then she is offerring a great service....and it is, to me, spiritual work, that she does....and if she sees people gain from these experiences, how very rewarding for her!! No wonder she would say that all the fame that came before was a preliminary to the most rewarding work that she has ever done....running those clinics.

Imagine the change that she went through to evolve into what she now does. This appears to be for her work that "comes from the heart." Whatever that means for me, I long to do "work that comes from the heart."

 

[abc]

Do you see skiing as simply an activity that's loads of fun, or does it represent something more to you, be it spiritual or philosophical?

For me, skiing is mostly about having fun. This is not my main activity, cycling is.

But I can understand the message from Kristin and others, that skiing is an empowering activity for some. Because for me, that "empowering" activity is cycling. It is in cycling that I reach my inner self.

Perhaps it's an individual thing. Skiing, with all the thrill and fear, is a metaphore for some. But not so much for me. I've always been a dare devil. Overcoming fear isn't really what's mostly on my mind. Persistant is. That's why cycling means so much more to my.

When I'm charging down the hill, there's little time to reflect. One mostly react. And hope one's skill and training is good enough to handle what comes. Since I'm reasonably coordinated and a good learner, I know where my skill level is and trust it.

But when I'm on a road bike climbing slowly up a 1000' hill, there's lots of time to reflect, to fight the mental battle of "to quit" vs. "to go on". Ample time to deal with the pain, the anguish and the self doubt (of not being able to reach the top). That's why to me, cycling is the metaphor of MY life. Through it, I see my inner self. And as I reach deep down inside, out came confidence and perserverance. When I reach my goal, it's the vindication of what I really capable of.

Skiing is more of a pressure release kind of activity for me. I do it for fun, to be in touch with the inner child in me, and to forget the dredgery of the 9-5 world.

 

[Lola]

For me, all of life is a spiritual metaphor in some sense, skiing included.

Some of the things I am reminded of when I ski that are metaphors for life:

Forget about being in control: Be in balance and you will be able to control your response to to conditions around you.

Stop once in awhile, breathe, and enjoy the view around you.

All physical discomfort is realtive: There was always a colder day, a sorer muscle, a meaner boss, a more difficult co-worker, etc.

It's important to be flexible, the best laid plans can be disrupted by unexpected events (what do you mean that chairlift is not running today?).

Never, ever, ever follow Phil into unknown territory. He may have well placed intentions, but he doesn't always think through the consequences. (Phil is my hubby - and for those who know him, you know what I mean)

Falling down once in ahwile is part of life. So what. Get up, dust yourself off, and move on.

Life is meant to be fun! So have fun, enjoy it, and remember singing once in a while is a good thing! :D

Those are just things that come to mind . . . I could go on and on.

 

[SnowHot]

I have always felt more centered when I'm on skis. More so than any other activity.
I love the snow, the peace of first chair, crisp air, and the connection I have with my husband, because this is the one thing that we both really love to do, and do at the same level.

On a side note.............
The Sports Diamond is being implemented into ESA this year. Because I'm a part of that, I have taken the time to embrace it, which has been a powerful thing in my personal growth.

Power, Touch, Purpose, and Will.

 

[IntheClouds]

For me, it's all about the mountains, the sky and the elements. Enjoying whatever the earth has to offer. As a kid I didn't care if it was sledding, snow fort & snowball fights, skiing etc. As long as I was outside under the sky w/the snow & a hill or mountain I was in heaven. The skiing is a way to be there, get around & enjoy more of the mountain, explore it. Even just sit & enjoy it. When I've soaked it all in, I turn to the skiing part just for the fun,challenge & enjoyment of the sport. But it is about being on the mountain for me.

 

[Native Vail Gal]

Do you see skiing as simply an activity that's loads of fun, or does it represent something more to you, be it spiritual or philosophical? And if so, would you be willing to share it with us?

It's VERY spiritual for me! Philosophical? Yes.....it's complicated, though. For me it's an on-going self-discovery into areas of familiarity, comfort, fear, pain, triumph, joy and contentment.

Thank you for starting this thread. It is interesting to read other's very private thoughts.

Thanks to all of you for sharing!

 

[abc]

Forget about being in control: Be in balance and you will be able to control your response to to conditions around you.

That's a good one.

And my skiing become much more enjoyable since I applied that same principle, learned through mountain biking.

 

[Pequenita]

Here's the thing: I think A LOT about a lot of stuff. I mean, look up "over-analyze" in the dictionary, and "Pequenita" is there. But for some reason skiing has never been one of those areas that I over analyze. A lot of it is instinctual for me, and that's pretty zen-like. You know the term "in the zone" as it relates to sports? I'm in the zone when I ski. Messy sometimes? Sure, but in-the-zone messy. :D

 

[Quiver Queen]

Lola, you've got good thoughts goin' on in that head. I like your attitude and could gain from it--I'm trying to learn that I don't have to always be perfect.

You can't have fun getting down the mountain if you're down on yourself. (ooh, that sounded cool!)

 

[SnowHot]

Lola, you've got good thoughts goin' on in that head. I like your attitude and could gain from it--I'm trying to learn that I don't have to always be perfect.

You can't have fun getting down the mountain if you're down on yourself. (ooh, that sounded cool!)

You can't have fun getting down the mountain if you're down on yourself.
That should be your new signature!!!

At the very least, a quote of the day!!!

 

[ski diva]

Forget about being in control: Be in balance and you will be able to control your response to to conditions around you.

This is true. But I'd add to this. The ability to be in control takes a certain measure of self-awareness, practice, and discipline. Don't just launch yourself into something without knowing what you're doing. Have the tools at hand to handle the situation, and you'll be fine.

 

[ski diva]

Just thought of another: For every down there is an up. And vice versa.

 

[Ski Spirit]

Control

This is true. But I'd add to this. The ability to be in control takes a certain measure of self-awareness, practice, and discipline. Don't just launch yourself into something without knowing what you're doing. Have the tools at hand to handle the situation, and you'll be fine.

This seems to work best for me. If you know you have the skiils, you can tackle whatever.

If you're in the process of developing the skills, it helps to have someone close by who is an expert..to fill in the gaps.

For every down, there is an up. For every cloud, there is a silver lining. I've actually experienced this to be true. Sometimes, it's a matter of seeing how the down can become an up........

 

[abc]

For every cloud, there is a silver lining

Every cloud is a potential snow cloud!

 

[IntheClouds]

Every cloud is a potential snow cloud!

Clouds are wonderful

Clouds make the sky even more fascinating than it already is

 

[altagirl]

For me, skiing is mostly about having fun. This is not my main activity, cycling is.

I rotate through the seasons and right now I'm in the zone with biking. At the moment, I'm dissappointed that the lift served bike areas are closing, but I'm psyched for the next two months of riding in Moab (and Downieville this weekend!). So my Zen of anything for the time being is biking. That zone that I get in when I'm purely focused on the trail ahead of me, and flowing with it, and feeling free on my bike is so perfect. It's that clear headed feeling when you quit worrying about anything but what you're doing right this instant. And biking is all I think about right now. I know once the snow falls, it'll turn back to skiing - it always does. But it's hard to picture at the moment.

 

[ski diva]

Came across this oldie today, and wondered if any of our newer members would care to contribute!

 

[PNWSkier]

For me it is about forgetting my problems. When I am on the mountain I am thinking about other things. Whether I am in awe of the beauty around me or thinking "butt in, stay forward..." Somehow, that few hours away from any life issues, makes them easier to handle when I return to real life. It is very therapeutic.

 

[skihub]

Lola's remarks on this are the more philosophical reasons I like skiing too!!!

For me, I feel 'free' when I ski. It is a rush like nothing else I know. I love my family, but breaking free from all responsibility and being in control of just me blasting through what nature created keeps me motivated to stay in shape, take care of myself, and earn money so I can do it!!! Skiing ties together all the things I am passionate about, especially now that my kids are getting independent on the hill too.