I research in areas where new insights into brain function are yielding real benefits. This vid is extremely interesting. When engaged in DH, skiing and such, psychomotor co-ordination and visual inputs are processed by specific parts of the brain, with cognitive processes working flat out to process the information and make sure we don’t hit trees, screw up jumps etc. Meanwhile, anxiety originates in the amygdala and ‘overpowers’ the frontal cortex, affecting ability to make decisions - BAD THING. Singing seems to interrupt this process by blocking or engaging certain processing areas and preventing interruption of cognition, facilitating stress reduction and ‘unlocking’ (bad term but it will do) the natural level of performance in physical activity.
Sing...and you perform. The difference is startling. A great vid. And I am sure it transfers to skiing - why wouldn’t it? Irritatingly I have got an ear worm of ‘Money for Nothing’ which may well be my downhilling mantra. And ramp up the singing when the going gets tough....
Interesting - I do like a bit of cognition. Recall seeing something which suggested that singing and vocal harmonising has been a human trait since before speech, and singing 'lights up' the amygdala like a Christmas tree.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Quote:
singing 'lights up' the amygdala like a Christmas tree
And the ability to reproduce a melody is often one of the last cognitive abilities to be lost in dementia - when the words to the song are long gone.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
When I had to coax two very tired little girls in ski boots up the road to our apartment in a blizzard we sang - was just the natural thing to do and they (though not I) still remember what we sang. And I remember singing to keep warm on a chairlift at the Birthday Bash, a few years ago......
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
I guess I do too much singing to think of singing when I'm not singing. (Hope that's clear. ) I would only sing on a chairlift if I were learning rugby songs.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Been singing for years.
My go to is 'So Lonely' by The Police.
Nerys has been singing 'Dreamer' by Supertramp but with these words when she skis steeper terrain
'Green run, it's nothing but a green run.
Do I put my hands in the air? Oh NO'
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Mike Pow wrote:
My go to is 'So Lonely' by The Police.
You mean "Sue Lawley" ?
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@Gazzza, oh no ... here we go ...
Twisted lyrics.
Well ...
Get your money for nothing
And the chips are free ...
Interestingly we saw a ski lesson of little kids in Åre that were all cheerfully singing as they snaked behind the instructor. It was a lovely site, but perhaps it actually helps them too?
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@thecramps, at New Year we strapped a Go-Pro to my 8 year old nephew. Watching the footage back it turns out that he sings to himself regardless of terrain or how busy it is. Funnily enough pigeondave (who joined us on the trip) sent me the video in the OP a couple weeks back wondering if it's the reason that my nephew sings.
On the opposite side, I often ski with music playing in headphones but when I need to concentrate (e.g off piste, busy, mogulled or steep) then I'll pause the music. So I guess that it's not the music itself that's important, just adjusting your brain's focus slightly.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
@SnoodlesMcFlude, ...that’s right...listening to music is not the same as singing (in your head or aloud). Different brain process. The key thing is that singing appears to suppress anxiety, and it is anxiety that interferes with performance.
Sadly not when the singing is itself the performance. It would be lovely if it did - no more stage fright.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@Hurtle, ...very good point. You’d need to be able to sing (singing B) whilst singing (singing - A). Interesting thought. I think I need to go back to the physiological stuff on attention theory.....
A different sport, but an older acquaintance of mine who 3 Day Evented to Olympic level (and went round Badminton a few times) always sang as he went round the cross country. If he didn't then nerves prevented him breathing, so it definitely worked for him.
You could always hear him coming - he didn't sing quietly!
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
For years we have talked about stones just under the snow as 'sharks'. One of the French instructors in Tignes has a 20 month old who loves 'Baby Shark' made popular by Pink Fong, can't get it out of my head now even walking down the street but if singing it improves my tree skiing I may just forgive him:
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
) I would only sing on a chairlift if I were learning rugby songs. 
