by Bun-chan » Sat Jun 02, 2018 12:59 pm
I really appreciate the people who took time to read my question (Is One-Footed Release the same as Super Phantom?) and respond, but am frankly surprised to see different answers and explanations to a seemingly simple question. All I was expecting is Yes, No or a simple clarification about the difference if any. But the more responses I see, the more I felt that perhaps there might be more to it than Yes or No.
Then, I tried to show what my understanding is by breaking the movements down, hoping someone can give me a short black and white answer or find any misunderstanding that I might have. I had no intention of introducing new ideas, re-writing PMTS or inventing terminologies. I was just hoping to see my simple question answered by some PMTS expert. That's all.
In any case, if I read Harald's comment correctly, the answer seems to be Yes, i.e., they are the same ("There is no difference between the two, the "Super Phantom is just and only just a step further for those who are doing an incomplete P.M. transition").
Just to add: No one knows me in this forum, but I thought I should talk about my experiences since some seem to have a wrong idea about me. Unlike some seem to suggest, I am not a kind of person trying to over-analyze things only in his head without actually doing anyting. I believe in practicing and repeating until my body automatically move and respond. I have watched Harald's and Diana's videos countless times to burn the images in my memory so that I can replay them in my head while I actually pratice on a slope. I go back and forth between reading, video-watching and praticing. I even hear their narations and the music in my head as I practice.
Since I "discovered" Harald Harb's book by chance at a book store in early 2000s, I have been hooked by PMTS. In 2003, when I saw all the PMTS camp instructors ski down the slope of A-Basin after we (students) finished the first run, I was blown away. I've never seen extreme carving like that. I still remember that I felt chill in my spine. I felt PMTS is the ultimate skiing.
Three seasons ago, I restarted skiing after 12 years of hiatus. One day, while I was doing usual Two-Footed Release exercise and transitioning into short linked turns, I suddenly felt that I was unintentionally bleding Two-Footed, One-Footed and Weighted Releases. It happened by accident, but I thought that was what Harald meant by "using all four edges of skis" in his video. It gave me a similar excitement that I felt at the moment when I first learned to ride a bike as a child. I would say it was a breakthrough for me.
Also, recently, I was fortunate enough to be able to share the above experience with a great PMTS skier who told me that the only difference between the release moves is timing of balance transfer and that the actual movement of transfer isn't at the top of the skier's focus. (I think this is what jbotti explained well in his comment about free skiing. Thank you jobtti. You always give me great insights.) That comment really meant a lot to me since it helps me understand the mechanisms better. I actually printed out the note and put it in front of my desk.
For me, understanding how things work and what they are for is important and necessary to actually do them. An Olympian whom I admire says that, when you ski drills, it is important to understand why you are doing them and how they help your skiing. She says just simply doing drills is not enough. I agree.
Harald, Diana and PMTS really changed my skiing. PMTS breaks down seemingly seamless skiing move into descrete components so that we understand the mechanisms in detail. But of course, we practice to build up those components back to achive seamless skiing movment. At least, that is how I see it. And, I don't find a similar teaching system elsewhere.
Since I had a serious injury and cannot move well (plus the season ended for me), I decided to review all the videos and books so that I can be ready for the next season. While I was watching ACBAES2 video, I came up my original question. I am a kind of person who doesn't feel comfortable leaving things fuzzy or unanswered. That is why I posted the question in this forum. Again, I had no intention of upsetting or influencing anyone.
I don't believe I ever used any offensive language or expressions in this forum. But if I made any inappropriate comment that is against the guideline of this forum, please kindly let me know. In the past, some people in this forum gave me valuable responses to me. I really appreciate their help.
I would like to stay as a member here. This is a great forum. But if there is any reason that I should not belong here, please let me know and please kindly explain why. I have no hidden agenda. I have nothing to brag about or show off. I have no intention of influencing people here. As an older man, I just simply want to improve my skiing and keep skiing as long as I can. And, I know there are great skiers who are willing to help people like me. But apparently some people were offended by the way I asked questions and made comments. I would appreciate it if anyone can give me some suggestions about proper protocols here.