This is a continuation of my series on skiing. published last year, but re-released now. I’ll have a fresh addition to the series in just a couple of days. Love and light, guys!
Skiing As A Mindfulness Practice
I grew up in Colorado, and like most other Coloradans, I just LOVE to complain about all the people “invading” the state.
Realistically, these folks have just as much of a right to be here as we do,but if you find yourself sitting next to two “natives” on a chairlift, don’t be surprised when they start bitching about all the ‘Texans’ or ‘People from California’, or basically anyone else who appears to be new to skiing or snowboarding.
This has been the case for years, but let’s look at the practical application of mindfulness in this situation.
Living in The Moment and Enjoying It While It Lasts
So this whole mindfulness thing seems to lean pretty heavily on learning to be patient, right?
In my opinion, there is really no better place to apply this than on a ski slope. When I was a kid, my dad had a habit of griping about the snowboarders chewing up the runs and making them icy. I think this is a good place to start.
If you are of the opinion that others are inconveniencing you because they are making conditions less optimal for you, take a second and remember that the mountain does not belong to you.
As with every other aspect of life, we’re all just doing the best we can. Besides, Dad, skiers careening down the hill in the “flying wedge” formation are definitely causing just as much erosion on the run as the ‘boarders are, so quit being an elitist…but I love you anyway!
Furthermore, the Buddhist focus on impermanence also applies here. That velvety layer of powder is not going to last forever, regardless of how many or how few people push it around with their boards ‘n skis.
You will benefit from enjoying each passing moment on the powder runs while they are fresh, rather than dwelling on how it’s ‘good, but getting worse) or how shitty and icy the snow will be in the afternoon.
As with your yoga practice, it is self-defeating to focus on anything besides where you are, right here and right now.
Your Breathing Practice Should Be Like Carving Down A Newly Groomed Run
You know when you see someone who is zig-zagging haphazardly across the run without any semblance of form or control? That’s a lot like how a newbie breathes in a yoga class.
The way you carve says a lot about how you ski. For example, look at how well-formed moguls are created on an un-groomed run. There is a very distinct elliptical pattern that persists all the way to the bottom of the field of bumps. This is because more advanced skiers understand that there needs to be consistency in how you carve in this sort of terrain.
Now take a look at the hordes of novices bombing down the nearest green run. They’re all over the place, either fumbling their way down with the gracelessness of baby horses or careening from side to side in an erratic carve that is almost totally unpredictable.
Now take a look at that in contrast to how a new yogi might breathe when they’re freaking out in a yoga class for the first time. It’s stunted, it’s erratic, it’s generally happening in the wrong order and with little positive consequence besides getting them to the end.
The focus and meditation required by an advanced skier are similar to that of a seasoned yogi: if you don’t focus to find your symmetry and balance, you will fall, and there is a distinct chance that you will get hurt when you do.
Next time you are carving down a run, ideally, one that you have mostly to yourself, see if you can coordinate your breath with your movement. It will open your eyes to skiing from a whole different perspective.
Sometimes Life Gets Hard…Take A F***ing Break!
Last week, I had an epic ski day. I went out by myself and I skied literally all day long. It was a beautiful experience. However, I got a little overzealous, I didn’t eat enough and I started to get fatigued.
Towards the end of the day, I wound up on a difficult run that simply required more energy than I had. It was steep and icy, with enormous moguls. I got halfway down and just stood on my skis peering down and thinking, “this sucks.”
So I took a break. I took my skis off and sat on them for ten minutes. I watched other skiers and boarders flying—or struggling— down the hill. And I also took several really big breaths.
Afterward, I made it down and finished the run and the day in an especially non-sucky fashion all thanks to ten minutes of decompression.
It’s easy to get carried away, especially when you’re doing something that you truly love. Sometimes when things get hairy, and the anxiety and stress or whatever is weighing on you gets to be too much, it’s all you can do to just sit down and take a few deep breaths.
It’s remarkable that this is so difficult for most folks, but when you’re cold and hungry and your knees are aching from fatigue— when that mountain just seems a little too big and scary— take it slow, take a breath and do what you need to do to care for yourself.