Abstract: A device which can be manufactured in multiple embodiments which makes it possible to break down and practice separately the steps involved in various ski techniques that require sliding the skis sideways into the snow as is required for a hockey stop, christies, and other common skiing manuevers. One embodiment of the invention contains a suspended overhead beam and a harness for holding the skier that is pivotally and slidably engaged with the overhead beam. This guides the direction of the skier while traversing the slope.To effectively learn skiing techniques requiring the sideways sliding of the skis such as the hockey stop, a skier is suspended in the air and makes first contact with the ski surface in sliding postion. In this manner, the skier learns the feel of the slide, one of the ending steps, prior to earlier steps. By breaking down the skill and learning the last steps first, learning and confidence is facilitated.

Abstract: A rotationally advanced dental floss holder and applicator assembly that includes a source spool and a take-up spool member to be held in each hand of the user. Dental floss is easily advanced from the source spool member to the take-up spool member by means of rotating the members with the fingers and thereby lessening the time necessary for flossing as well as reducing the amount of dental floss waste. Also disclosed is a dental floss dispenser having a locking mechanism to lock a freely rotating internal spool of dental floss relative to the dental floss dispenser. The locking mechanism is actuated by squeezing the dental floss dispenser and the dental floss dispenser has a finger grip so that the dispenser can be held by the fingers only.