Monthly skating review: progress and goals adjustment

I had my Freestyle group class in the morning and I've got the Flip (that I didn't do in 2 years) back!!! A good way to start the month!

I was writing before, that the summer ice schedule is so all over the place and I cannot get a rhythm, and that is all still true. And after my fall in the second week of last month I felt that I was somehow both physically and mentally fighting to skate. I'm still thinking about training and progress when it wasn't possible. And I wasn't enjoying skating either.

So, last two weeks I slowed it waaay down. I skated the public skate (adults only) on noon Monday and I had my weekly private lesson immediately after. Tuesday, Wednesday off. Thursday, my two group lessons, one Freestyle, the other power and edges. Friday off. Saturday, lovely empty practice ice where I did dance mostly. Sunday off.

And I'm letting go of my Friday yoga too. That's a long story, but doing yoga just once a week, even with a little practice at home, was let's say, confusing. I hope I'll get to write a whole post about it.

With so little physical activity, I finally felt that my body was rested and responsive, and I wasn't worrying about hurting my hip again.

Anyhow, my progress last month was:
Freestyle: With my private coach I graduated from the back spin in the change foot combination that was consistent (but foot not crossed over), to the scratch back spin from the inside edge entrance! My forward scratch spin is also looking stronger.
In the group class we mostly ran trough things as the class was just 5 week long. My level is Freestyle 4. The loop jump that I had two years ago, was lost  as I didn't practice it, but it made a quick reappearance. Muscle memory is both good and bad. Good that it made me remember the loop, bad because I've kept the mistakes I had (pre rotation, free leg not crossed and flat footed landing). Plus the instructor taught an entrance from a right inside 3 turn that I didn't know before. That I cannot do just yet. Half loop feels as awkward as ever.  I didn't want to work on the sit spin as I'm protecting the left hip. We refresh the back spirals that I needed refreshed and the back 3 turns, that I didn't.  I had the flip two years ago but not as consistent as the loop. And on a quick try last week I couldn't remember the entrance or the feeling of the jump... But it happened today :) They are not good jumps, but it's a start.
MITF: I didn't work much on them, I tried to keep them at the same level until I have more time on ice and I'm confident in using my hip.
Ice Dancing: Well, that goes well. I feel I can improve the pattern dances without putting any strain on my hip. With practicing for MITF, the basic exercises for Ice Dancing and almost everything Freestyle I'm still cautious. Every lesson this last month was dance. The coach mentioned testing the Willow waltz but at another rink, as our rink has a test session just in November. But If I go to the trouble to go to another rink I would like to test the Ten Fox too.

First week lesson:
Ten Fox: the first 2 lobes are still wimpy, because I hook the first edge. Instead of allowing it to go perpendicular away from the axis, I'm rushing to turn parallel to the axis.
Same hooking after the 3 turn...
Mohawk latest correction, allow the upper body to turn from forward, laterally, with back at the circle.
Willow waltz: stroke, don't step (bend the knee) into the 3 turn
After the middle chasse step forward, let the LFO stroke go into the middle of the rink, finish on outside edge so you can stroke strongly into the next RFO
Spins: Keep at them. Press while back spinning
Waltz Jump: Jump at 45 degrees, not long, not high.
Second week lesson: just 15 min, for the first time the coach was late
Ten Fox: the intro 3 turn goes 1/3 on the first lobe.
Corner 3 turn placement ends at half circle. Draw left foot in to be faster, rise/re bend and push
Third week lesson: I cancelled the lesson and I only skated my group lessons all week
Forth week lesson: lots of partnering exercises and polishing the Willow.
Fifth week lesson: We worked on the back swing roll as I need it for Ten Fox. It was the first time I felt in control of the rotation. I was trying the last weeks to push straight away from the axis, and not hook it. on all back lobes.  Now the coach brought up (again) the arms that need to coordinate with the feet. And I finally was able to do it, and the core got engaged on it's own! Now, on Ten Fox he likes the first half, the second half is still wimpy.
And we worked on the backspin.

Goals for next month:
Freestyle: Keep working on the back spin and loop as they don't strain the left hip at all. Add the flip. But! Maintain what I have! Looking back, when I couldn't work to improve a certain skill (for being hurt, or prioritizing something else to work on for a test), I stop doing it altogether... That would be the Salchow and forward scratch spin that I was working on lately, but also bunny hops. Do them even twice a month, few tries.
MITF: whenever is not crowded work on the forward to backward 3 turns on the pattern. I don't remember when I did them on pattern last...  And work specifically on the right back power pulls. These are weaker than the rest of the elements for this test.
Ice Dancing: enjoy! and of course get ready to test them.
Off ice: I've got into the habit to do some here and there stretches and strengthening exercises at home. I cannot really call it yoga, but whatever it is, keep it..