IE takes to the slopes again--with almost enough snow

There wasn’t much snow this year, still IE was looking forward to another experience of snowshoeing, She was thinking of getting some tips from the Nordic center experts. However it was all for naught when she arrived and looked at the slopes:

 

The Nordic experts suggested just wearing regular hiking shoes and taking some poles. 

So IE set out in search of snow,

 and that high mountain feeling of trees and birds too high up to see, only to hear,

the sound of the wind in the trees where the snow bounces off and the canvas pure white.

It doesn’t seem like winter because in the sun it’s not cold and yet there is the 

chill of nothingness in the air, the pine fresh smell. Cold, clear, and simple.

Dancing isn’t a place we can get to all the time. 

 But it can be a practice that opens us to other experiences. 

And in that moment walking up

 the hill in the snow with the trees

 

the high branches waving in the air and the birds calling to each other,

and the gentle melting edge of the snow, uncovering  ground that was muddy and warm with rocks coming out.

"I praise the dance,

for it frees people from the heaviness of matter...

I praise the dance, which demands everything:

health and a clear spirit and a buoyant soul.

Dancing demands a whole person,

one who is firmly anchored in the center of his life,

who is not obsessed by lust for people and things

and the demon of isolation in his own ego...

Dancing demands a freed person,

one who vibrates with the equipoise of all his powers.

- Saint Augustine

Cheers,

IE

Intrepid exerciser hits the slopes--and the studio!

No--IE was not skiing but snowshoeing--Really fun!

 

 While it doesn't have the thrill of the downhill,  you get to drink in the alpine high without the "yardsale" risk.

And since IE is working on an injury (more on that later) this was the perfect exercise to get circulation going, joints rolling, and "elevate" the mind and heart rate.

 

By luck, I coupled it with a "dynamic stretching" class--which really was a personal training since it was just Nancy (the instructor) and I.

In this beautiful chalet-type studio, Nancy, a PT, and trainer for several National Snowboard Team athletes, led me through a series of moving stretches.

According to  the  Norcal SC website http://www.norcalsc.com/what-is-dynamic-stretching-why-is-dynamic-stretching-important. Dynamic stretching are active movements of muscle that bring forth a stretch but are not held in the end position."

The opposite of this is static stretching, like yoga, where the position is held for any given amount of time--depending on your insturctor--see my post on that at: http://plierelevelife.blogspot.com/2013/01/intrepid-exerciser-3-pilates-and-yoga.html 

NC site explains the science behind Dynamic Stretching:" Your body has many mechanisms that need to be activated and stimulated.  When you put your body through a series of stretches while in motion, it sends signals from the brain to the muscle fibers and connective tissues in that area to prepare to do work.  Your body’s temperature begins to rise and blood is pumped to the working areas of the body... Along with getting proper blood flow to the working area, the muscle fibers and connective tissues will gain more flexibility and range of motion. In other words, by doing dynamic stretching after your warm-up and before your workout, you are going to feel stronger and work up to a heavier load."

My favorite stretch was the one that is probably most sport specific to dancing, called the "scorpion".

 

 Followed by a dip in the pool, and viola, apres ski anyone?