Divided by a Common Language

[LivingProof]

Recently, I've been skiing with members of a race team and they are just a bunch of fun to ski with. Serious and dedicated, their technique centers about racing turns. Not pretty, but, they leave trenches and are way faster than me. No love for PSIA, no knoweldege of Harb, the bible for present is a book by Frank LeMaster and some USSA Racing publications. Most have been heavy into recreational racing for many years and winters are planned around a racing schedule. Many love to discuss technique. I am confounded by lack of a common dictionary. It's challenging and amusing to try and discuss technique as we just don't speak the same dictionary, and, movement based skiing is unknown.

I don't have the chops to tell them there MAY be a better way....mostly, just keep quiet. If someone knocked on your door with a message and invitation to find the truth in some area of life, I think I know what your response would be.

So for those of you who enter into technique discussions, how do you respond? What words do you have if someone asks for an opinion? Can active listening skills be used when you just plain disagree? Can you, or should you, try to use influencing skills? Sometimes, I relate to the Bill Clinton quote - " It all depends on what your definition of "is"..."is"!

[Gary]

You explain through performance...if they like what they see, don't worry....they'll ask!

[jbotti]

Good students are hard to find!!

The majority of people are not searching for something better and are not open to new approaches.  Living life as a student and pursuing things from the mind of a student is not something that most people possess.

I personally say nothing to anyone unless they ask for it or unless they leave a very wide opening and are asking for it without saying it. You can get some feedback from Max who is a certified PMTS blue level instructor and a great teacher. He can give you some feel for what it has been like for him talking about PMTS and ski technique in general.

Funny thing is that I do now have several people at my home mountain asking me about my drills, and my approach to skiing. Having said that most have little dedication to doing drills or even working on their skiing. Most just want to ski.