Change in Consciousness
by Tyler Barnes
PSIA-NW Technical Team Member

The rock wall in the climbing gym is only 16 feet tall to the top. Students are full harnessed in, top roped and protective padding surrounds the deck. “OK, remember, three points of contact at all times and use your legs for climbing rather than using your arms to pull yourself up.” The group nods. “OK, who’s up?” Anton steps up. He’s 14 years old, hooks in and starts his assent. No more than four feet up, his legs begin to “sewing machine”. Fear of falling overwhelms him. What’s going through his head? The same thing that goes through everyone’s head. Will I fall? Will I get hurt? Will the belayer catch me? The answer is “no” you won’t get hurt and “yes” I’ve got you. But, the mind is a powerful force. Actually the MOST powerful force in any sport.

Anton and I overcome this barrier by instilling trust in one another. First, I let him climb to the first or second hold, then have him lean back off the wall and let me hold him in the belay. “OK, yeah, this is pretty cool.” Next time Anton climbs a little higher, but not too high. With a little reluctance he leans back against the belay and pushes off from the wall and swings out. “Yeah, way cool.” Now we climb just two holds higher, which is way up there, 10 feet above the deck. “You got me?” “Yeah, I got you!” Anton leans back and swings way out, pushing off from the wall several times as I lower him down. “OK, now take it to the top.” Anton asserts himself on the wall, carefully chooses his route and climbs to the top in one continuous movement. “Yeah baby! That’s what I’m talking about.” You can see “it” in his eyes. Overcoming fear, the beginnings of mastery of a skill. Rewarding for him? Yes. Rewarding for me? Even more so. When a person conquers a fear, achieves a goal or learns a new skill, they undergo a metaphysical change. I refer to this as a “change in consciousness.” Once the barrier is overcome they are on the road to mastery. As teachers, coaches and instructors, we have this unique opportunity to influence people in a way that metaphysically changes them forever. And we never know how long this influence may last, possibly years beyond the end of the lesson.

For a lesson group of Level 1 students, depending on their age, the climbing wall may be their own ego. The sense of needing to fit in or the fear of falling and embarrassing themselves; all can be overwhelming. Do you remember what it was like to be new at skiing? Do you remember trying to keep yourself from sliding backwards in the Brooks Chair lift line on Saturday afternoon at Stevens Pass? I do. I also remember riding the Big Chief chair for the first time! Yes, Big Chief. I was so proud. Perhaps this is why I am so compassionate and eager to help my students overcome their fears and achieve their goals.

The novice participant in any sport experiences a special moment in their lives; a moment where they are going to learn something new, perhaps take their first steps down the road to mastery and are potentially about to undergo a change in consciousness. You may be their first coach and you may be responsible for this change. Keep this in mind when you take that group of first timers. Know that this is an honor that should be revered each time it presents itself. Share what you know. It can be as simple as adjusting their pant cuffs to cover their boots or as paramount as closing the inside ski in a wedge Christie turn.

Take a moment to reflect back on what you do. Keep in mind that a pro racer may be an expert skier, but is not necessarily a good (or great) teacher. Great snowsports instructors strive to be expert snow sliders, however this expertise is not only specific to performing within a discipline, but includes conveying methods for students to begin their own journey to mastery. Sure, Bode is fast and a risk taker and is probably partly responsible for helping grow our sport, but can he “convert and retain” a novice skier once they choose to try the sport? Maybe, maybe not. But I know you can.

Great snowsports instructors are enthusiastic, inspirational, selfless, compassionate, diverse individuals who provide an environment that fosters success. When you’re “on duty” be the best instructor you can be. When you’re “off duty” ski or ride to inspire others and don’t forget, despite where you are in your training or mentoring or learning that this is fun, and revisit all the reasons you began your snow sliding journey years ago.