​Skiing and Structural Integration work very well together as many of the biomechanical and alignment principles are the same. As a ski professional himself Tom understands when a technical issue in skiing can sometimes be caused by a body alignment and mobility issue in the body. By addressing the physical restriction improvement can become much easier and that next level  more attainable.

 

 

SHARED PRINCIPLES

 

1. Establish a mobile ankle and foot that enables the body to be supported from underneath. 

Mobility in your ankle joint is crucial to efficient and expert skiing. The ankles and feet provide you with a base of support and give you feedback as to how you are balanced. Having the ability to be mobile in your ankles allows small fine movements to be made to adjust your balance and edge control. These smaller movements are important as they balance the Centre of mass without gross movement. 

Functional Body aims to mobilize the ankle joint so you have greater range of motion and educates you on how to use the feet more effectively for skiing.

 

2. Establish as best as possible the ankle, knee and hip tracking in a straight line.

Skiing produces large forces on the body. Whether it be from hitting bumps or making fast GS turns down a black run you need to be in the best position to deal with these forces. If you can enable the knees to track in a straighter path the forces from skiing are managed better and the health of your knees and hips is prolonged. 

The tracking of the knee joint is influenced by many factors. Bone structure, muscle balance and motor control. Functional Body influences muscular balance and sensory motor control to aid in the alignment of the whole leg.

 

3. Establish a balanced pelvis.

A hallmark of good skiing is the ability for the legs to work independently from the upper body. A balanced Pelvis allows the legs to work independently from the upper body and take strain away from the spine. Balance in the Pelvis will also allow for accurate lateral movements needed for high end skiing and the proper development of angulation.

 

4. Encourage the body to move from the core layer first.

As you go through the ten series of Structural Integration you will find you have a greater ability to make subtle movements initiated from the core of the body. This will enable you to create positions of strength and mobility needed for such an  open sport such as skiing.

 

5. Body awareness

There is no better way to get in tune with how your body functions than with the addition of touch. Through Functional Body sessions you will become far more in tune with how your  body moves, how you hold yourself and how to find more efficient ways to perform. 

 

6. Spinal alignment

The spine is the one of the most important structures in the human body to be in good alignment. A neutral spine position in skiing is just as important as a neutral spine position while squatting 100kgs in the gym or picking up a heavy box at work. When you encounter forces from the snow and dynamics of the turn that force has to travel through the spine. This is dealt with most efficiently if the spine is in a neutral position as opposed to hyper extended (sway back), overly flexed (rounded back) or kinked sideways (spinal angulation).

Functional body aims to get your spine and head in it's most neutral position possible and make you aware of how to keep it there.

Did you know that 90 percent of the energy output of the brain is used in relating the physical body to gravity. Only 10 percent has to do with thinking, metabolism, and healing, so when you have forward head posture, your brain will rob energy from your thinking, metabolism, and immune function to deal with abnormal gravity/posture relationships and processing.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​