During skiing, most people are aware of exerting force, but they may not know how to release that pressure. This is not limited to beginners; even intermediate and advanced skiers may face similar situations.
When skiing, especially for beginners, the tendency is to tighten up and use excessive force to control the snowboard for balance. This often leads to altered breathing patterns, with many holding their breath while gliding. The consequence of such behavior is increased fatigue, and in extreme cases, it can lead to a loss of interest in skiing altogether. Reflecting on this, one realizes the magnitude of the loss—a forfeited opportunity for a lifelong, enjoyable activity!
Why does this happen? When faced with danger or sudden tension, we subconsciously hold our breath to concentrate or exert force. While skiing, especially for beginners wearing snowboards on the slopes, initial excitement can turn into tension. When the whole body is tense, muscles tighten, and along with that, breathing is held, forgetting the rhythm of inhalation and exhalation. Many people experience running out of breath after only a short distance. After a day of skiing like this, muscles ache, making you feel far from being a superhuman.
In reality, skiing is a sport that involves both tension and relaxation. You should apply pressure and force when needed but also know when to release pressure, which translates to relaxing the muscles on the snowboard. This can be achieved by adjusting the stance height (moving from a low stance to a medium stance or vice versa), and regulated breathing is a method that must be learned.
How to practice this? First, maintain even breathing and synchronize it with the rhythm of skiing. For example, during a snowplow slide, exhale when entering a turn and inhale when transitioning. In the case of making short turns using a rhythmic pole plant, coordinate your breathing accordingly. When executing medium or large turns, try slowing down the rhythm of your breathing. Give it a try; the effect is remarkable, and you might experience a sense of elegance!
Just as yoga emphasizes breath control for achieving a balance between relaxation and tension, skiing follows a similar principle.