Tai Chi Skiing

With the "flatboarding," (which is to ski by riding the board flat, not
on the edge,) lays the technical foundation, Tai Chi Skiing is to apply
the Tai Chi principles to downhill skiing. Tai Chi is an ancient
Chinese mentality/philosophy that pursues a state of the ultimate
existence called "Tai Chi," which literally means "beyond the
terminus." While its practice is beyond the scope of its article, [more
details can be found at my web pages:
http://www.taomartialarts.com/ski/ski_dance.html,] nevertheless, let's
take a look at the applying principle, "harmonized Yin and Yang
thrives."

In the worldview of Tai Chi, the world/universe is formed by two
opposite forces (Qi, in Chinese) that form the "whole." The force that
is invisible called "Yin," and visible [force] is called "Yang."

In skiing, gravity (invisible) is Yin, the skier (visible) is Yang, and
Tai Chi Skiing shows the path/way of "harmonized Yin and Yang," the
balance of the skier and gravity.

As inner skiing, the illusion is that we, the skiers, do all the
skiing, as we have the "power" to control the skiing, and the stronger
we are the stronger the techniques, and the stronger techniques means
"better" skiing... however, in reality that downhill skiing is a sport
of gravity, the ultimate power remains belong to gravity.

Gravity, the powerhouse of the universe, cannot be beaten. Although it
appears that anything that moves overcomes the gravity, however, when
the dusts settle, it is gravity that wins in the end. So, fighting
gravity is exhausting and flowing with it thrives.

Most other skiing styles fight the gravity, as "up-unweighting" in
parallel turns, and "hugging" the edge in carved turns, for examples;
nevertheless, flatboarding "flows" with gravity.

As with flatboarding, Tai Chi Skiing skis with a balanced stance for a
straight run, increase/shift the weight on/to one side to turn, and
"ride" to maintain the turning pressure; as the angulation of the body
balances out the angular acceleration that causes the turns, Tai Chi
Skiing rides a line that is in the equilibrium state with gravity.

Internally, mind makes perception into reality. With mind concentrates
on breathing, breathing drives the body to place the weight which
causes the turns, and as the line of turns matches the rhythm of
gravity, the graceful movements of the body manifests the equilibrium
force of the gravity, and that is being "one with gravity."

In "Oneness," Tai Chi Skiing reaches the realm of Tai Chi. Tai Chi
Skiing is the ultimate free style.

have fun,
IS