Post by QikTrnz on Mar 13, 2008 8:34:29 GMT -5
The biggest problem adults have in learning or technique improvement is Fear.
This is a result of the fact that adults learn through the process of applied intellectual concept ....
.... in other words, they learn by reason ...
..... "First you do this, then you do that, then you do this, followed by that, then this, that and the other thing, but only if that will allow you to do this ... " etc., etc. etc., ......
A complicated instructional format that is bound to intimidate and strike fear into virtually every adult learner at one point or another.
Imagine if a baby, learning to stand up and walk, had to apply the the same type of intellectual process .... they would never get off the ground ...
Herein lies the secret to both the difference between how kids and adults learn skills, and the the missing link in adult ski instruction...
... Kids learn by feel, not intellect ... the baby trying to stand and walk is motivated by the desire to move as quickly as those around him/her, and in that pursuit, tries, and tries and tries again to stand, and then walk, without fear of failure and by a constant search for the feel of balance in all these new positions.
Just try watching a baby learn this ... the intuitive nature of achieving balance is clearly evident in the constant, reflexive adjustments made by the body to maintain balance when it is felt.
To one extent or another, adults have sublimated their intuitive feel process and replaced it with an intellectual process that includes a very highly developed risk assessment component, that is where the fear factor comes in ....
"Oh My ... I will certainly Die, or at least break my leg, if I fall, so I better not push it, therefore, it would be good to be timid and fearful of the consequences of being too aggressive"
.... well, of course, they don't necessarily say it that way consciously, but that is the net effect anyway.
The answer is to try not to think too much, go back to that child like state where you look for the feel of balance.
Ski instruction should be all about the pursuit of balance with the least amount of teaching possible.
More later ... and by the way, don't hesitate to ask Q's if you have any ....
This is a result of the fact that adults learn through the process of applied intellectual concept ....
.... in other words, they learn by reason ...
..... "First you do this, then you do that, then you do this, followed by that, then this, that and the other thing, but only if that will allow you to do this ... " etc., etc. etc., ......
A complicated instructional format that is bound to intimidate and strike fear into virtually every adult learner at one point or another.
Imagine if a baby, learning to stand up and walk, had to apply the the same type of intellectual process .... they would never get off the ground ...
Herein lies the secret to both the difference between how kids and adults learn skills, and the the missing link in adult ski instruction...
... Kids learn by feel, not intellect ... the baby trying to stand and walk is motivated by the desire to move as quickly as those around him/her, and in that pursuit, tries, and tries and tries again to stand, and then walk, without fear of failure and by a constant search for the feel of balance in all these new positions.
Just try watching a baby learn this ... the intuitive nature of achieving balance is clearly evident in the constant, reflexive adjustments made by the body to maintain balance when it is felt.
To one extent or another, adults have sublimated their intuitive feel process and replaced it with an intellectual process that includes a very highly developed risk assessment component, that is where the fear factor comes in ....
"Oh My ... I will certainly Die, or at least break my leg, if I fall, so I better not push it, therefore, it would be good to be timid and fearful of the consequences of being too aggressive"
.... well, of course, they don't necessarily say it that way consciously, but that is the net effect anyway.
The answer is to try not to think too much, go back to that child like state where you look for the feel of balance.
Ski instruction should be all about the pursuit of balance with the least amount of teaching possible.
More later ... and by the way, don't hesitate to ask Q's if you have any ....