Without body consciousness, it is difficult to get results in ski learning. To modify our motor behavior, we should first achieve body consciousness through sensorial perception.
The goal is not simply “doing” but perceiving our body behavior and from there, apply the desired transformations. It is a mistake to train stance and movements if body perception is not assimilated yet. This is often observed in the teaching-learning process, in which we believe we are learning (placebo effect), when in reality we have no corporeal consciousness developed, which inhibits incorporating relevant motor behaviors.
In the early stages of learning, movements are defined by our cognitive capacity. As we overcome successive phases, we develop movements based on body consciousness that acquire through sensory experiences and this determines the spatial and temporal boundaries of our movements. The relationship between corporal consciousness and learning is enriched by motor experiences, and this collaborates in the preparation of actions before performing them (anticipation). So doing, we get the consciousness of bodily characteristics in line with our own movements and postures built in different time-space aspects of our skiing motion.
This attentional process is focused to expand body experiences that help our learning process by incorporating new elements and modifying the ones we already have. Body consciousness facilitates learning by making motor experience motivating. This is reflected in more comfortable skiing, contributing to detecting postural changes and in the development of our body axis’ notion. At the moment in which we do not have to remember where and how to locate our body, it is when we start to enjoy skiing.
To attain a certain grade of body knowledge, we should vary our movements like performing times (fast/slow) and sensitivity levels (sudden/gradual). By perceiving these differences in orientation and mobilization of body parts during motion, we will learn to discern opposite impressions (contrast consciousness).
Not all of us react the same way while developing body consciousness. It needs time but even more, it requires constant will for overcoming our own barriers that hinder evolution, as it is observed in the expert skier, which has a continuous record on his body and the place that occupies in space.
Body consciousness in the re-education of inefficient skiing behaviors
Body consciousness helps recognize behaviors that hinder efficient technical performance providing a re-education method. Activating it contributes to the substitution of the unfavorable motor and emotional habits.
When a technical deviation is corrected, we must change our body consciousness status by modifying our internal image. Doing so helps to produce the necessary changes in information about the new stimuli (re-education) to modify then our skiing behavior. Changing the attitude is the starting point for corporal reflection that will enable us motor modifications that are being sought.
According to these considerations, you can apply the following recommendations in your own skiing:
- First, you should remember that without body consciousness it will be difficult to get positive results in ski learning.
- Your goal shouldn’t be simply ‘doing’ but perceiving your body behavior and from there, you can apply the desired transformations.
- Vary your movements, like performing times (fast/slow) and rhythmic levels (sudden/gradual), so you will learn to discern opposite impressions as contrast consciousness.
- When you want to correct a technical deviation, you must first change your body consciousness status by modifying your internal image.
