Growing up in the northeast, Yochanan Berkowitz has developed an appreciation for the outdoor sport of skiing.  Yochanan Berkowitz reports that skiing can offer an exhilarating release for someone that has a lot on his or her mind. The sport brings a skiier in direct congress with nature, says Yochanan Berkowitz, as he or she travels over the snowy expanses of open land.

Yochanan Berkowitz points out, however, that skiing is a sport with a higher learning curve than many others. To ski well requires training and practice, says Yochanan Berkowitz, and some brief formal instruction is necessary as well. The key element of skiing, says Yochanan Berkowitz, is maintaining balance. Balance is best maintained, says Yochanan Berkowitz, by mastering the correct stance.

According to Yochanan Berkowitz, the correct skiing posture involves standing with feet shoulder width apart and toes pointing slightly inward, drawing the heels slightly apart. The next step is to bend the waist, instructs Yochanan Berkowitz, and fan the arms out slightly to lower the center of gravity. Body weight should be evenly distributed, notes Yochanan Berkowitz, on the heels and the balls of the feet. This balanced stance, says Yochanan Berkowitz, is the best way to maintain control and speed while skiing.

Yochanan Berkowitz suggests practicing this stance at home prior to putting on ski gear. When it comes to controlling yourself on your skis, says Yochanan Berkowitz, it’s all in the feet. Wherever direction the feet are turned, explains Yochanan Berkowitz, is where the skis will go. Before shoving off, Yochanan Berkowitz suggests lifting one leg at a time and turning the feet gently to the left and to the right. This exercise will get a skier used to the encumbrance and responsiveness of the skis, instructs Yochanan Berkowitz. Being strapped into skis is not a natural position for the feet, explains Yochanan Berkowitz, and it is best to spend some time getting used to this before tackling any runs.

About Yochanan Berkowitz

Yochanan Berkowitz began his professional studies in Psychology at Queens College in Flushing, New York. In 1994, Yochanan Berkowitz earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and following further studies Yochanan Berkowitz was awarded a Masters of Clinical Social Work. Later Yochanan Berkowitz received the designation of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

During his studies at Queens College, Yochanan Berkowitz had the opportunity to employ his passion for helping others in the New York City Public Schools as a special Education Instructor in Brooklyn from 1993-1994. Yochanan Berkowitz also served for several years as a school Psychologist and Social Worker with the Brooklyn Board of Education. Several years were also spent doing an internship in social work at Maimonides Psychiatric Outpatient in Brooklyn.

In 1997, Yochanan Berkowitz became a certified school social worker and school Psychologist following studies at the Long Island University. Yochanan Berkowitz received his Masters of Clinical Social Work two years later from New York University. Completing additional studies in his chosen field, Yochanan Berkowitz obtained a Post Masters certification in Early Childhood and Adolescence Psychotherapy in 2000 and Gestalt Therapy certification from the Gestalt Association of Psychotherapy in New York City in 2002.

Yochanan Berkowitz used his experience to serve in Brooklyn as an outpatient social worker, MSW, CSW at the New Hope Guild from 1999-2000. Yochanan Berkowitz added breadth to his vocational opportunities while serving as Administrative Assistant, MSW, and LMSW at Fordham Tremont Center in Bronx, New York during the years of 2003-2004. While there, Yochanan Berkowitz began offering his skills as a Clinical Social Worker, MSW, and CSW at the Jewish Board of Family & Children Services in Brooklyn New York.

The years 2004 and 2005 found Yochanan Berkowitz at the Bikur Cholim Department of Clinical Services in Rockland, New York where he was the Administrative Director, MSW, and LMSW. Currently Yochanan Berkowitz maintains a private practice in Teaneck, New Jersey that primarily serves children, adolescents, couples, and families.

To contact Yochanan Berkowitz by telephone, call 646-338-5424. Yochanan Berkowitz can also be reached via email at berkj1517@yahoo.com. For more information about his private practice visit http://www.familiesheal.com.