Core, Connecting the Upper and Lower Body, Beginner Through Expert Skier

For the beginner through expert, connecting the upper and lower body for skiing is fundamental. This is one way to understand it.

[@drgnfr]

At last a ski instructor that can speak in anatomical terms. A sophisticated instructor for the thinking skier. I loved that video! Thank you!

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Love it

[@drgnfr]

@@DebArmstrongSkiStrong We love you too, Deb, for your beautiful mind!

[@Andrey-hj3rr]

Rest assured, the instructor is well-versed in anatomical terms :). Let's clarify: rotation in a sagittal plane? In a sagittal plane, flexion and extension occur. Rotation, on the other hand, takes place in a transversal plane. The entire video is to say that a counter-rotation occurs in the lumbar spine, not at the hips. Such a revelation ;)!

[@kuanjuliu]

It’s like he’s falling over himself trying to convey the richness of just this one aspect of skiing. There really is so much to learn! Wonderfully clear yet technically in-depth, and presented with such infectious enthusiasm. How lucky are his students. And the skiing … oh! So fluid it brings tears to my eyes. Thanks for another wonderful video.

[@michaelmatos9656]

His legs are like spaghetti! 😁 There is such fluid movement, esp. at the end when he changes the tempo of his turns. I like how he describes moving laterally without twisting. It really makes sense how that would short circuit the power of one’s stance. Deb, you have the best guests on your videos-each person brings their own nuggets to the discussion. Just great to watch!

[@Capshockey1234]

Such an underrated channel - keep coming back to your videos before each ski trip. Thank you for the great content.

[@fernandog.aguirre2791]

This is why I lLOVE skiing so much! Every run thers room for getting better, cleaners and more natural athetic. The art of turning! Every single time! Thanks Deb!

[@seaskiguy]

Finally! A full video dedicated to the core as the base from which movement emanates. For years when people talk with me about ski conditioning I am stressing core, core, and more core! I am constantly working my core on the hill. It's fun to play with that based on the turn shape/radius, pitch and speed. For example, at the end of a gs turn when the pressure i high, I love flexing the core tighter as I pull my inside knee to the chest to increase that edge angle and pressure to the outside ski -- and dang, the power is incredible!

[@luduong]

Thank you so much for this Deb and Alain. Skiing reminds me of fly-fishing. A constant, never ending, pursuit of technical and flow perfection. Never attained, but always strived toward.

[@markdezuba]

Thanks Deb. My wife and I are from Colorado Springs and we are going to ski at Taos this weekend. I’ve been skiing for 6 decades and my wife just started this year. I had her take a few lessons. She is coming along good for her age and ability. Maybe she will be lucky and “bump” into you. She loves watching your videos.

[@Osnosis]

Very wise not to teach the spouse! Let someone else do it.

[@julierosenberg5020]

Great to have him explain upper-lower body separation that 2nd time as he did it a little differently. As we know many people learn very differently so variations to the same end is so valuable in teaching!!

[@dpardo74]

To be able to describe a concept in multiple ways demonstrates true understanding of a concept.

[@philiplacey5430]

Ok, so my takeaway is that upper / lower separation is (almost) always present but doesn't have to be overstated and is always appropriate to the terrain and desired turn radius. And yes Deb, many PSIA instructors have trouble communicating these nuances, especially to adult learners. We, or at least I, tend to overthink things and frequently confuse the cause and effect.

[@melissalund4564]

I loved this video! What a great skier. I was lucky enough to have been taught to ski this way in France - with good separation between upper and lower body. Great to see an expert still doing the demos this way!

[@kellyburgessart]

Great video!! Love them all but this is just what we needed today!!!! Love this guy.

[@TeamQuack]

Love this video, I'm going to watch it a million times till I completely understand it.

[@michaelobrien2190]

Deb - this is unrelated to this specific video but just got back from a trip where we hit Keystone, Brec, Vail, and Beaver Creek. I'm used to East Coast skiing and going to Colorado can be a bit demoralizing. It's kind of like being an expert road bike cyclist and going to a feature-rich park on a mountain bike. It's so entirely different. I got addicted to your channel a few months ago and Deb, oh my gosh. I skied SO much better. Instead of being frustrated, I was able to do all sorts of runs that I wouldn't have in the past. THANK YOU SO MUCH! You're the best.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Love it!!!

[@khalilhamdi9210]

Since a few years i put students with good physique and basic technipue on more aggressive skis and boots to get them to experience what is possible with modern designed skis. All through great experiences for my guests. To be aware of what your ski is designed for, how it behaves and what it can do helps alot to understand what is actually happening when we ski. Since about two years your content is enriching my coaching and skiing and your passion is just inspiring. Thank you Deb for what you're doing.

[@Huttify]

Much gold here! Great video. Another thing that is very good to mention in this case is that when the upper body rotates less than the skis in a turn, the sideways angle can't be the same. The body can't be straight from skis to head, seen from front or back. I see many beginners strugle with this and I have heard ski instructors trying to teach upper and lower body separation by dropping the hip inside the turn. It seem they don't understand that the separation is a result of keeping the upper body in the direction you want to go. Without the separation and high enough ski angle, the upper body will twist up and down, and not in the wanted direction.

[@johnschranz5271]

Hi @Huttify, this seems really interesting what you're on about. But could you expand on it - I have to admit that I couldn't really get my head around to what the essence of the point is, even if I can feel there is something that could really talk to me. Thanks!

[@Desleiden]

These videos are the most meaningful ski videos I have ever seen. Thank you!! I would like to go and ski there.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Awesome. Thank you!!

[@kevindi]

Wow! He nails so many concepts here! Awesome video.

[@cherylpeep]

Love the detailed core conversation and the beautiful skiing, accent and enthusiasm.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Hey! Is this you my friend? Give me a sign😉😉😉😉❤️

[@Neo-kx3fe]

Really appreciate the sharing. As a skier of 4 years, I start to learn carving and find it extremely important to understand the mech and drill the fundamentals. Good to revise them here.

[@dj_617]

Wonderful skiing. And indeed in sports all movement starts from the core.

[@DR_1S]

Hi Deb. Yours videos help me to move my skiing ability to another level, thx a lot you are ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ coach 💪🏼

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Great!!!!!!!💪💪

[@scott.e.wiseman]

So many great statements here! I’m so glad it’s documented so I can review it time and again.

[@tonyg3091]

This gentleman is an amazing skier.

[@zorroBG]

Wow, what an energy and passion!! Brilliant explanations :)

[@509tyler]

Functional tension of the core is essential to good skiing. The hands and arms are the most accessible appendages to assist with balance. While the clarity of the message may be challenged, the concept is 100% accurate based on my understanding of great skiing. Thank you Deb!

[@ziggymatuszewski2803]

Deb, this was probably the best educational video i have ever seen. I always thought of this way of thinking when it comes to hands, core, lower and upper body but could not understand why we are being thought by many instructors to be just a stiff cube of meat and bones. Personally I never liked it nor agreed withI like what he says simply because I do exactly what he demonstrated with free moving hands, freedom of lower body, strong and active core and suddle movement of the upper body. Loved it and thank you very much for great educational programs :)))

[@davidbeazer9799]

Thanks for the great info and for documenting this gem of a ski master!

[@GMec78]

Twist the hip catch an edge; I just did this over the weekend and had an up close and personal moment between my face and an icy mountain. New to parallel skier, on an icy slope, just learning how to aggressively turn rather than simply gliding down a slope. First 5 runs, no problem, then technique got sloppy (a little overconfident). Started feeling more hip twisting (not a lot) but I was getting away with it up until I wasn't and then the mountain let me know she was still the boss. Glad to have the helmet (and I'm a 70s-80s kid; we didn't grow up with safety gear).

[@davechilling8139]

Thanks Deb for introducing another master

[@emilferent23]

Agreed, midline stabilization is the foundation of any sport!

[@DD-xg4fe]

Wow such an encyclopaedia! He has an unique view on torso centrality in skiing movement, I should try it out next time I’m on the slopes

[@Eeoin123]

Thanks Deb! These videos have really helped me to focus on improving my technique this season.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Great!

[@dcasandman]

Man I love watching how smooth and ballet like all these skiers are. Someday I need to make it for a real lesson to Taos

[@YB-iq7fc]

going in to week to Zermatt, so I am checking your videos which are all great.... thanks a lot for sharing

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thanks!👍👍👍

[@OutdoorExperience.101]

Great video and great explanations! Thanks for sharing, Deb! 🙂🙏🎿

[@thriveonthebasicswithlesli9042]

This makes so much sense! ❤❤

[@thriveonthebasicswithlesli9042]

I need to watch this ten times

[@fourftr]

Alain must be close to the “GOAT” of instructors.

[@_R.F_]

I hope you have more videos with this guy. Pleasure to watch him both ski and explain.

[@52holly52]

Thanks from Northern British Columbia, Deb and Alain - another great video.

I understand that the core is important. And I also understand that there is a disconnect between the upper body and the lower. But it is not easy to translate this into skiing. The problem, IMO, is the difference between cause and effect. We know the effect we want, but what cause can be used to reach that effect? To me, I try to use the classical "have your upper body point downhill all the time, and let the skis go back and forth". I think that will cause the upper and lower body to disconnect. This is efficient if you want to be able to fairly quickly turn back and forth. One reason is that you don't fight momentum on rotating the upper body back and forth. However, it isn't always what you want. If you want to do large radius carving, I think it is fine to have the upper body follow the skis. This is different, and it is important to recognize that the situation isn't the same. When I do large radius carving, I use another trick to get the effect I want. I let the hand on the outer curve point in the direction I want to go. The hand on the inner side of the curve can rest on the leg or knee. The interesting thing that happens when you transition from a curve in one direction to another, switching hand positions, is that it indirectly helps your upper body to do just the right thing.

[@andylowrey5174]

Kinda brilliant? Here Debbie, hold my beer! I'll go you one better. Brilliant! With decades of clinicing with some of the finest clinicians in the NW, I don't recall anyone putting it together with a bow around it, quite like that. Well done seizing the moment and drawing him out for more detail. In addition, I loved his demonstrations. A perfect blend of classic techniques and modern skiing.👍

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Fantastic!!

[@jenniferhaefner9132]

Beautiful skier!

[@cmacski4066]

I describe this to my students as “focus where you want to move”, not where you’re going! At an early level, it is a very flat or lateral movement.

[@TheFreddieFoo]

Fantastic camera work Deb!

[@johnpetersen8116]

This stuff is very challenging to explain. There are so many subtle yet significant points illustrated here that are at the very core of great skiing. Pay close attention and watch till the end!

[@andarrigo]

As always, he is amazing. Thanks Deb. Already miss the classes ❤

[@karlk9316]

13:12 Love the rapid little turns with edge changes at the end of the video, and what it demonstrates. Very quick! What to call it? Shimmy shimmy?

[@saschaayad5126]

Good eye! Not doing those with 90 mm underfoot

[@Gottenhimfella]

It's a great way of staying interested and expressing joy without taking up too big a lane on a cat track. I often do this when one lift feeds another nearby, and my poles are still just held in one hand. But I cannot do that reliably, rapidly and smoothly without tipping my pelvis in the direction which induces a convex curve in my lower back (using the hips as hinges) - which he mentions at one point as a way of freeing the three-joint lower body from being impeded the upper body. I demonstrate this to clients by first getting them to do the opposite (stick their bum out, like a scared bunny, at which point their back curve goes hollow and their shoulders automatically come back) and have them try and wobble their knees, as a pair, side to side as quick as they can.They can do this on or off skis, I've even had them do it after the lifts close while continuing the discussion indoors, waiting for the bartender to notice us. Then I have them produce the opposite curve in their spine (hollowing the stomach) and try the same wiggle/wobble. Try it! One way feels locked up, while the other feels sinous, like a snake.

[@choski76]

​@Gottenhimfella that's a great experiment!

[@tombrayton4412]

Great video Deb. I loved the video where racers talked about ankle flexion too. Yoy should get an intercom or walkie talkieintercomlike hello skiers use So that your experts can ski and explain at the same.time

[@lukecico5155]

Dude’s a character. Fun.

[@YB-iq7fc]

Waoooo. the comment about the equipment and the skill and how to balance both.

[@karendalury2094]

That is intense. I must ski with you both! From the East but have Taos connections. Please let me know. L3 alpine, tele examiner, yoga, Pilates fitness teacher. Daughter lives nearby. I would come!

[@hayleypbop6997]

Oh to be half as cool. I tried to concentrate on the info but was bedazzled by the cool 😎. Ill watch again…

[@Capo51]

This guy Alan is a ski professor, not an ordinary teacher. His teachings demand us, the listeners, much more than average to understand anythingat all , what he really says. 'The core is the base' does not open you, if you had not trained any sports on higher level, where core is the cornerstone of that sport. He also said thst he does not want to spoil his skiing balance by twisting'. For me he is the first of ski instructors, who mentioned it this way, by this phrase. Well, I have had few lessons by good teachers. And skied various Alpin styles ( slalom, RS, bit free ride) over 35 years. So.... Thank you Alain. One is never too old to hear and learn something new ✌️. As Debbie said: awesome. ⛷️

[@davidknecht5446]

Thanks so much for continuing to provide such great content.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thanks David!!!! Appreciate the support of the channel

[@johnparchman753]

Alain being the human camera Gimbal. The gimbal turns (lower body) but the camera stays relatively calm (upper body)

[@LolaBalletAndFigureSkate]

Amazing video!!

[@davidmutio8130]

Fab video

[@michaelbell9402]

Another good one to watch. I hope to see you in Taos and say thanks in person.

[@TheSnifmister]

Wow is like to spend a day learning from him

[@waynewilliams839]

Thanks again Deb keep it squared for strength

[@ansoogund]

Seen so much of your videos and because I have to wait to be on the slopes so far away each year, i find myself knowing how much more I don't know. and it scares me more

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Keep watching. Take good care😉

[@chrismanfield7444]

"Ski instructors tend to over bake things"....quote Deb Armstrong !

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Ha!!!!

[@choski76]

So true. Riding a Gondola listening to one talk incessantly on a topic put me to sleep. He wasnt instructing me,, someone else.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

@@choski76 ha!

[@gregorymartin8316]

Thank you. So clear.

[@benjaminvolant2469]

great video

[@PepeVega]

Great instructor

[@tomreid9779]

Hmmmm. I don't get it. My ski instructor would be criticizing him for rotating his body with the skis and dropping his inside hand and shoulder. I can't see the upper and lower body separation he says he has. Am I confused?

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Not sure if you are confused or not. I don’t see what you see however

[@tomreid9779]

@@DebArmstrongSkiStrong well I'm gonna keep working on it. But I want to get a private lesson with you in the next year if you do those.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

@@tomreid9779 taos ski valley skistrong experience

[@Ca_milo_G]

the summer start to look autumn here south America. tik tak

[@JohnB-uf7ft]

The problem is, sometimes we can way over explain and then lose the overall message. I’m a physician and even I struggled to make practical sense of the lesson. Sadly. I am a subscriber btw.

[@chiplunsford3369]

Just fantastic!

[@alexkuiper1096]

Wow - fantastic!

[@camlebans]

Brilliant,

[@roy87345]

Wow….brilliant ❤❤❤

[@KenpoOjoko]

I think there are many good things discussed here, but it's hard to follow. Maybe It's just me.

[@4plum]

Not just you. This is one of the more poetic videos on the channel - for me I prefer the great clear prose that Deb produces :-)

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Fair enough. One style is not for everyone

[@KenpoOjoko]

@@DebArmstrongSkiStrong I enjoy your demos, instructions, and explanations. They are clear and easy to understand. :)

[@Skedawg88]

I think if you’re a ski coach ( I am. ) it is easy to follow but for many it will be hard to follow. Still, Alain is very well qualified and very good.

[@KenpoOjoko]

@@Skedawg88 That may be the issue. I don't think Deb intended to make this only for ski coaches. I feel his passion and enthusiasm but prefer Deb's clear explanations. That is why I follow her. :)

[@roblipton9121]

the chi position you see in tennis, golf, baseball fielders, etc - pushing your lower back through to your lower stomach while your legs are pushing laterally, actually, just weighting the downhill ski, does this work

[@dasalpengluhen1747]

In German: "Alpines Fahrverhalten" 😉 A good exercise to control this is to make sure, that the zipper of your jacket can always be seen by someone who is watching you from down the fallline. To work with this idea not only helps concerning separation. Moreover: If you add the idea to be aware that the upper part of the zipper is always vertical to the gradient, you automatically push your upper body to a) a more stable and upright position and b) a better adjustment along the turn - and c) you can enjoy the landscape instead of looking down to your feet. 😉

[@alphonzoirwine6231]

Love it 😊! Thank you Deb! May I ski with you sometime soon Deb, please?!

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

The SkiStrong program in Taos

[@debbielombard5132]

@@DebArmstrongSkiStrong I'm looking it up right now, hopefully January 2024. When does the next signup start?

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

@@debbielombard5132 not sure. Are you able to email them?

[@debbielombard5132]

@@DebArmstrongSkiStrong They have a phone number, I'll give them a call, thanks!

[@Capo51]

The info package is here pretty tightly packed. I mean, for a recreational skier. This is more university stuff than college. Haha.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Ha! I like to offer content for all level skiers and all levels of understanding. Getting deep into technical content can be FUN for some, not others😉

[@dejanjankovic6839]

Tnx Deb, best regards from Jahorina

[@utahmogul]

Thank you for your love of the sport and your continued service in sharing your knowledge.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Hello m, hello and thank you very much. ❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏

[@Anthroposophy_a_way_of_life]

It is clear that the core is the centre the Trelease upper and lower body this is as if you can compare it with the wheels of a car and a driver and the car itself like the relationship between the driver and the wheels., It is the same in dancing or in martial arts

[@lpja2326]

It'a ALL about the core , 100% right

[@KTB3007]

So not only is off season leg training important - but maybe more so the core.

[@andrewdemyanov7600]

Georgeous!

[@beatakubicki3070]

Brilliant!

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Great!! Pass it along😉

[@beatakubicki3070]

@@DebArmstrongSkiStrong already done 😀

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

@@beatakubicki3070 love it!!!

[@arturdobrowolski8272]

What a great place to ski, where it was filmed?

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Taos New Mexico

[@skitrials360]

Deb buy a insta 360 camera. it will reduce the noise and focus on voice.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Good idea👍👍 want to support the channel?🙏 at the bottom of my KZbin “about” page is my tip jar❤️❤️

[@davechilling8139]

Thank you Deb for allowing us to see US example of best mogul skier demonstrate and French example of best all mountain skier demonstrate. Can you show us some Canadian Japanese and Korean master styles please?

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Not following you. Not sure what to make of this comment? Is it Sarcasm, a joke, genuine?

[@JakeFagan-y6k]

Pretty skier

[@stevechalk8639]

Thanks!

[@kuanjuliu]

My dad once told me that money doesn’t buy happiness. It buys freedom. And so does the core. That’s my takeaway!

[@razaman514]

Ski tuning video next?? :)

[@Anthroposophy_a_way_of_life]

I kind of understood , you should show more, The best would be to speak in French

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Ha!!!

[@Osnosis]

The simple terms is counter-rotation. The simple method to teach adults is to turn the head and look back over the shoulder (1st, and then look down the hill); the eyes lead the head, the head leads the shoulders, and the shoulders move the chest. Thus the teaching comes from a single instruction, instead of 10 minutes of complex descriptions.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Many folks appreciate the content if you take a look at the comments. Different strokes for different folks😉

[@Osnosis]

@@DebArmstrongSkiStrong agree 100%. As a 35 year veteran of teaching, I find that adults frequently have limited attention span, and I simplify as much as possible. That said, everything in the video is spot on. You always provide exceptional content.

[@dj_617]

Turn your head and look back over your shoulders? 😂

[@Osnosis]

@@dj_617 yes, sometimes it takes that much to get a student to ‘unlock’ the upper body.

[@bobdavis2689]

If they are old enough, have them remember Chubby Checker: "do the twist."

[@LonestarPaul]

C'est vachement compliqué quand même😅

[@paulc.8727]

i need to pause and to watch it later .. it's hard to watch Deb's video while eating a meal, too much information to process lol

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Ha!!!

[@jtwoolley]

tell him i said bonjour.

[@Bermantados]

Ничего не понял.

[@coolgiga]

👍👍🎿⛷️🇬🇪🇺🇦🥂

[@JanosKoranyi]

About the sagittal plan: a movement of the upper body in the sagittal plan is bending of the upper body straight forwards, in the hip joint. This is not what you mean I hope, when you talk about separation. I think that upper body movements in the sagittal plan has nothing to do with separation. In wedge turns, you should have a higher angle between your skis than what you create in this video and so the inside ski will refuse to support a separation really. Why would you struggle to get a separation in wedge turns at all? I think separation is really only needed in parallel turns. Again, I have to remind you, that the term "upper-lower body separation" is not at all good, because the hips are really parts of the lower body. Every ordinary people and medical experts say so. Only ski instructors say, that the hips are parts of the upper body, in order to defend this stupid name. A much better name is: leg-torso separation. because it is really the movements of the legs that must be separated from the movements of the whole torso and this happens in the hip joints. The turns of the skis must be created and followed by the legs, because you have your feet attached to the skis and you don´t want to twists your knees. Your whole torso should never turn completely together with your legs, because that would make you dizzy and confused, so you must turns your torso much less than you turn your skis together with your legs. skiingtechnique.wordpress.com

[@Anthroposophy_a_way_of_life]

It’s unfortunate that the English is not fluent because it’s not easy to understand and to follow

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

So very sorry 😉