Through my healing journey (aka life), I was introduced to the transformative power of gratefulness by my medicine lady. She assigned me the gratefulness practice as a 10-day integration homework to rewire my brain. Gratefulness, you see, is a high-vibration state, alongside joy, peace, passion, and love. When you’re in a high-vibration state, you’re in sync with the universe, accepting synchronicities, and manifesting your desires. It’s an elevated place, and I made a choice to live in an elevated place from then on.

One simple way to reach this high-vibration state is through practicing gratefulness. I journal or announce three things that I’m grateful for every single day. Here is an extensive example. Three things I’m grateful for today:

1. I’m grateful that I’m healthy: I got to ski today! My limbs are working, my bones are strong, and my heart is pumping elegantly.
2. I’m grateful that I’m wealthy: I have friends that I love and go on adventures with. I have time to go on adventures with my friends. I have warm boots to walk on snow. I have skis. I have gloves. I’m not in a war-torn area.
3. I’m grateful that my brain is working just fine: I can build relationships, I can articulate my message, I can communicate. I can learn new sports and new skills.

Most days, my gratefulness practice is as simple as:

• I’m grateful to have a dog to hug every morning.

• I’m grateful that my heart is pumping without my effort.

• I’m grateful that I get to eat a chocolate cookie for my breakfast.

How is gratefulness relevant to your skiing?

Gratefulness is a high-frequency state where you manifest fast and easily. Did you order a ski instructor? The universe might just deliver! It’s a joke:-) I’d like you to live mostly in a high-frequency state to raise our collective consciousness. Mountains are a magical place. I would not want you to miss the magical mountains because of low-frequency feelings. You have courage, you’re open-minded, and you’re curious instead of judgmental when you’re elevated. I’d love you to make your decisions in that state, instead of dancing with low-frequency emotions.

Facing Fears on the Slopes

Low-frequency emotions like fear, anger, guilt, and jealousy are also part of the human experience. When I’m at my low, I acknowledge them, sit with the discomfort, and work to raise my frequency. My recipe is dancing, hugging my dog, and doing any kind of physical exercise like skiing.

As far as starting to ski, let’s consider fear. You might be afraid of falling off a cliff or breaking a leg. How much courage would you have if you’re sitting in fear? You always have options:

Option 1: Skip the mountain vacation entirely (and miss creating memories with your friends and family)

Option 2: Stay in the lodge sipping hot cocoa (and miss the mountains’ magic)

Option 3: Hire an instructor and start on the bunny hill (and risk the embarrassment of making mistakes even though you know that everyone starts as a beginner)

Option 4: Join a group lesson with other beginners (where falling is part of the learning process, just like for pro skiers; where falling and getting up is a part of the sport, just like life)

Whatever you choose, there’s always a risk and a potential missed opportunity. Remember, whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right. I invite you to take baby steps towards your fears. Sometimes I take small steps; other times, I dive headfirst into what scares me. It can be teary, bloody, and gut-wrenching.

Meeting You Where You Are

In my ski teaching, I meet you where you’re at while gently encouraging you to explore your edges. If you say no, I respect your boundaries. I’ll suggest another small step. Once you’re comfortable, we move to the next challenge if you’re ready. We might do many laps on the beginner conveyor belt before tackling the steeper one. You set the pace, and I’m there with you every step of the way. This approach applies to life beyond the slopes too. Whether you’re facing fears on the mountain or in your daily life, remember that growth comes from gently pushing your boundaries, practicing gratitude, and embracing the journey.

Ready to start your snow adventure? Enroll in our Snow 101 online course and begin your journey to conquering the slopes with confidence and joy!

The post Gratefulness Practice: A Path to High Vibes on the Slopes appeared first on SkierTV.

Check out the descriptions to determine your skiing level. 

You’re a FIRST-TIMER if you have never skied before. You have never put on skis to glide over snow. 

You’re a BEGINNER skier if you say YES to 3 of those: 

1. Do you know how to stop?
2. Can you turn using a gliding wedge?
3. Can you sidestep up and down a hill using your ski edges?
4. Can you change your direction by turning your legs? 
5. Can you tip your skis to turn?
6. Have you ridden a conveyor belt and/or a chairlift? 

Beginner skiers ski on green terrain. 

You’re an ADVANCED BEGINNER skier if you say YES to at least 3 of those:

1. Can you link wedge turns?
2. Can you make turns to control your speed?
3. Can you steer your feet to parallel?
4. Can you skate on your skis?
5. Can you side slip on both sides?

Advanced beginner skiers are comfortable on all green terrain and they’re ready to explore easy blue slopes. 

In our ski retreats, you’re welcome to repeat any part from the previous levels if needed. 

You’re an INTERMEDIATE skier if you say YES to 2 of those: 

1. Can you match your skis before the fall line? 
2. Can you change the edges of both skis at the same time?
3. Can you link parallel turns in small moguls and powder?
4. Can you pole plant in every turn?

Intermediate skiers make parallel turns on all blue terrain. 

You’re an ADVANCED skier if you say YES to 3 of those: 

1. Can you change your turn size and shape on steeps?
2. Can you use your poles for timing and rhythm on every turn?
3. Can you carve short radius turns?
4. Can you link parallel turns on moguls?
5. Can you adapt to changing conditions in all blue and easy black terrain?

Advanced level skiers comfortably ski on all black terrain. 

You’re an EXPERT skier if you say YES to these:

1. Can you vary your turn size, shape and rhythm on all-terrain?
2. Can you adapt and ski in all snow conditions?
3. Can you make dynamic carved short and long radius turns in all conditions?

Expert skiers are the masters of all black terrain. 

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