When flying gliders at low altitude, we usually think about the angle of attack first and airspeed second. When circling a thermal, I often cross below the stal

When flying gliders at low altitude, we usually think about the angle of attack first and airspeed second. When circling a thermal, I often cross below the stalling speed due to turbulence etc. But if you don't try to force the glider to maintain altitude by pulling on the stick and just let it fall through, maintaining the same angle of attack, you'll quickly fall a few meters and gain enough airspeed to resume level flight. So you've been below the stalling speed, but you haven't actually stalled the airplane. This maneuver makes you lose a minimum of altitude, but obviously you don't want to be forced to do it at very low altitude.