My jumps

I started working on jumps again, after a 2 years break, as I'll need them in my Freestyle program. Long story short, I initially didn't remember the entrances and edges, and I thought I lost them. But they are coming back quickly enough. They are not much, as I learned them in group classes, and the requirement to pass the level was to "get them" not master them.

I wanted to see how they looked, so one day I filmed them all. Firstly, I was very surprised and  happy that my jumps are higher then they were 2 years ago just from working on Ice Dancing and MITF.  It seems that working on basic skills and edges really pays off. On the negative side, I see that on all of them I have a weak landing. I think the problem is the checking... I can see my left hand being in front of my body a lot, as I remember, it should be at 10 o'clock. I also see that the free leg is bent, the back it's not arched, probably the landing leg should have more knee bent. I'm sure as I'll start working on them with my coach he'll find a million things to correct.

The Bunny Hop:

I worked on this with my private coach and I described it here. Analyzing the video I think it looks rushed, let's say I was excited when I filmed. From a technique point of view, I should jump more up then forward.

The Waltz Jump:

 

Technique corrections from my private coach were
- before jumping to bring the free leg at the heel of the skating leg (it took me like a month to fix this, meaning for it to became body memory, to do it without thinking... but I do it now)
- to jump tangent to the circle I was riding, before, I was jumping around
- to jump up not forward, actually he says 45 degrees
- when landing, to look forward, looking back was ruining my checking of the landing.
As I watch I don't like that the free leg is bent while swinging up. Maybe the free leg knee could go more up, to that h-position (my coach didn't mention that yet but I red about it)

The Half Flip:

I totally forgot this one, I asked some friends that are at that level to teach it to me :) I don't know what to say about it, it seems very small...

The Salchow:

This was my least favorite jump in group classes. I absolutely knew I didn't get it... I started working on this with my private coach but all we covered until now  is the entrance. The 3-turn shouldn't be too round, wait after the 3 turn, bend that knee, check, don't release the free arm before jumping. I think again, I'm jumping around not tangent to the circle.

The Toe Loop:

When my left ankle was hurt I was afraid of working on the Toe Loop (on the Salchow too actually). I know you have to transfer the weight on the foot you vault yourself from. I can see at least on my first try I'm not doing it. I also know you shouldn't rotate on your toe pick and jump forward. 

The Loop:

 

I think the entrance is good. I don't think I push enough from the right foot, the arms are wild and I know I'm pulling out too soon.

The Flip:

I've got the idea 2 years ago, but it wasn't consistent, so I don't think it's worth it to try it now without a coach supervision.

Now a tiny bit of bad news. My hip muscles got sore after that jumping day, enough to get me cautious. It's the left hip, the one that was hurt... I don't know if it's from pushing from it, or from lifting the right thigh and knee up. So I cannot get too excited, I cannot have jumping days... for now.

Skating Technique: turns - Forward Outside 3-Turns

turns - part 2.

Disclaimer: this is my understanding of the technique and my experience in learning skating, could be not the correct one...

The Forward 3-Turns allows you to go from skating forward to skating backward without changing feet, so you stay on the same foot. It is called a 3-turn because it make a mark on ice resembling the figure three. As I was saying in the previous post about the Forward Inside Mohawk, it is not an easy skill. I actually don't find it a beginner's skill. At this level you get the idea, and you do it better and better as you progress.

When I learned these in my group class, the only instruction I remember I was given, was:
- to go on an arch (lobe), so outside edge turned at the top of the lobe into an inside edge,
- start with the opposite hand than foot in front,
- twist the shoulders towards the inside of the circle
- turn on the ball of the foot
- twist the shoulders back (to check)
And it was demonstrated. I was saying before, the group classes were more "monkey see, monkey does"... While I understand that beginners can be overwhelmed by too much instruction I wish I knew a little more. Like:
- to keep my weight on my skating hip (that usually translates to me in don't drop the free hip)
- twist your shoulders is actually twist your upper body (from the waist up, so the core, rib cage and shoulders) while engaging the core and keeping the upper body connected with the hips. I had a breakthrough when I was told bring the hips around too, but it may be a correction just for me because I have open hips, and I used to really leave the free hip back...
- you turn on the ball of your foot to lift the rest of the blade of ice so it won't scrape and stop the turn
My private coach says for 3-turns you should work on 4 things
- head (turn your head first)
- upper body (that I explained already)
- bend- rise- re bend, that is you ride the edge with the knee bent, you rise to bring your weight on your skating hip and the ball of your blade, then bend again after the turn to hold the inside edge
- AND LEAN. I mentioned the lean when I was talking about edges, and I was saying that that's more an intermediary requirement, because it wasn't mentioned to me as a beginner. But I think the beginner should be aware about the lean and start working on it

The most interesting fact that I learned about the 3-turns was that the turn is done from the skating knee. This may an intermediary level information, so as a beginner maybe ignore it...

I think this is a good time to say that, surprise!, there are different types of forward outside 3-turns...
The "figures" style 3-turn is an oldie but goldie or goodie. This would be done at slow speed in a controlled and exact manner. I don't think this is a beginner turn but maybe it should be...
And here is a link to an old book I found online. Do notice that what they call spirals are actually edges: http://iceskatingresources.org/Chapter3FO3Turns.html
This 3-turn relies in the understanding of edges done using the lean. And the free foot is kept at the back of the skating foot (in a T-position) and the free hip hold back (that I was saying I was corrected to not hold back... as a beginner). The foot and hip in this position help to hold the back inside edge, more precisely to do not over rotate it after the turn. And the turn is done by shoulder rotation, leaning and turning on the ball of your blade while being align on your skating hip. They also mention to press into the ice. That would be bend-rise-bend that happens a lot in skating.
The Freestyle 3-turn (before jumps or spins) is faster, straighter and with the free leg extended.
Ice Dancing 3-turns that I know are the dropped 3-turn and the American Waltz 3-turn. They are exact, compact so the partners can do them together, they have a very specific count and they are very pretty :)
The MITF 3-turns are a little bit of everything. Plus each level of testing asks for the 3-turn to be put in a different combination. One of the skills in the first test (Pre-Preliminary) is the "waltz eight", and while there is no specific requirement about the 3-turn, is customary to be done with the free foot extended on the exit edge, to look waltzy... I think this is the easiest, the beginner, waltz eight 3-turn and goes like this:
- stroke on an outside edge from a T-position. Opposite hand is in front, the skating hand laterally-back. The skating foot is bent and the free foot is extended as long as comfortable then brought near the skating foot, laterally, not in the back. This helps keeping yourself over the skating hip. Also it brings the hip around, which ideally would be done with the core being engaged during the upper body twist, but I feel beginners don't engage the core properly.
- twist the upper body until facing the inside of the circle, the free hand should point to the center of the circle. Press into the ice with the skating foot while still bent and when you feel the twist is almost turning straighten the knee and get on the ball of your foot while still pressing into the ice. Then release the pressure into the ice to allow the foot to turn. The ball of your foot is the axis of the turn, the heel of the foot will make an arch.
- check the upper body after the turn (twist the other way so the skating hand is now in front), press into the ice again and extend the free foot back to help with the check. The skating knee should bend again to have a better inside edge. I was kind of snapping that free foot back while holding the lower back and buttocks tight, and while it helps with the check it flattens the edge... The alternative was that I couldn't hold the exit edge at all, I would have put the free foot down immediately, so while not ideal, it was helpful. I also could't bend the knee until I was stable on the edge.

The 3-turns are hard!!!

Skating Technique: turns - Open Forward Inside Mohawk

turns - part 1.

Turns are what allows you to skate from forward to backward and backward to forward. Disclaimer :) this is my understanding of the technique...

Looking back, I'm surprised that the 3-turns and Mohawks, which are turns from an forward edge to a backward edge, are covered by ISI before the actual edges. They are covered in Delta and Gamma levels, which are the last to level of the Intro to Skating (read my view about skating levels here). More then that, my backward skating, when I started learning these turns, was less developed that the forward one. But, as I said two posts ago (Beginner Forward and Backward Skating), the backward skating takes time to develop because anything that messes your posture, messes the balance point on the blade. One thing that messes the posture is the backward push. From this point of view, the 3-turns and Mohawks are just another way to start going backwards, instead of the push... It will be equally hard, but they'll develop at the same time, and at the same time as the edges.

I vividly remember when I was first taught these turns, that I was laughing inside at the "crazy" idea that I will ever learn them. But I did... And I wish I've known at that point, that there are levels of precision expected for any skill, turns included. You first get "the idea" of them, you "kind'a... sort'a" (this is how an instructor in dance class was asking if we've got the choreography) do them. And then you improve them, and improve them more. My coach says that you still improve them on the expert level.

For me the Mohawks came a little easier so I'll start with those. I looked on youtube and most of the instructions there, are for a more intermediate quality, like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p-nKfrM2PU&t=29s
The instructions for a correct Forward Right Open Inside Mohawk (this is the easier side for me, the left one is the same but on the other side) are:
- stroke on an RFI (Right forward Inside) Edge on a bent skating leg with the free leg extended, facing the imaginary circle the edges curves on, right hand forward, left hand back, hugging the circle and hold the stroke for a length equal with your height
- at the point you want to turn rotate the upper body so the right arm and shoulder point towards the center of the circle, the left arm and shoulder press back. The skating foot increases the pressure into the ice at this point as you rise into your knee and bring your free foot at the instep of the skating foot. As a beginner I was bringing the heels together, not the heel to the instep. One tip I've got that helped me correct this was to bring the foot a little more forward then the instep. It helped at the time, but I have the feeling that messed up the turned out of my free foot and I started to bring the knees together too. Now, I'm trying to think of turning the foot out as I take the first stroke, and to lead with the heal when I bring the foot in and keep the knees separated (another tip I heard is make a diamond with your knees)
- immediately bend both knees, as a mini ballet plie, and put the left blade down on an backward inside edge (LBI), pressing into the ice and rising a little, then bend again to hold the edge. The right leg could be extended or kept at the back of the ankle.  At the same time, the upper body checks the rotation, so the right hand and shoulder goes back and the left ones in front, hugging the circle and still looking inside the circle.

Finally I found one video showing exactly what I was doing as a beginner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHCmI7tAc94 
- stroke on RFI edge, right hand forward, left one back, on top of the circle
- turn out your free foot as much as you can, don't mess up with the upper body
- just put the left leg down on a inside (LBI) edge somewhere where you are comfortable, it's ok if it's a blade length apart from the other blade, and it's ok if it's more near the heel than the instep... for now... Now extend the right foot between back and lateral, like 45 degrees  (if it's back it won't hold the inside edge. And really tighten the right side of your lower back and buttock. And push your right arm and shoulder back.

The ISI Delta level also asks for this Mohawk to be put in a 7 step combination:
1 left LF stroke
2 right RF stroke
3 left LF stroke
4, 5 right Mohawk RFI to LBI
6 push with the left inside edge into a RBO
7 turn around keeping your weight on your right hip and step on a LFO

They call the steps 6 and 7, so the RBO to an LFO, a backward outside Mowhak. and while everybody agrees it is a Mohawk, nobody calls it a Mohawk, but simply "step forward", being implied that is from an back outside edge .

How can an adult skater progress over a Beginner level and Warm up for beginners

There are many different categories of adult skaters. Each journey is somehow unique. Still, I would put in a special category the adults that skated as kids. They have a big advantage over skaters that started as adults in their comfort on ice and their ability lo learn skills...They do have their own specific challenges, like not being able to do everything they did as kids, and I'm sure many more that I'm not aware of. Then, there are the very young adults skaters. International competitions for adult skaters accept skaters over 28 years old. In USA the age is 21. These skaters that start in their 20s have a quick progress.

I want to talk more about skaters that start when they are older then 30 because that's me and that's what I know about. I started casually at 35 and approached it more seriously after 40. I heard when I started skating that adults stop progressing at the forward one foot spin or Freestyle 2 level. I almost did...

Beginner adults usually start with adult group lessons. And almost each time on ice we learn something new and we are amazed. We pass the basic skills in one, two years. And then is Freestyle, where everything slows down. We get bored, frustrated, unmotivated and we look at ourselves and we think that we don't look like much of a skater. Plus we see kids at our level that look better and we lose hope that we, as adults, can get there. I occasionally made up a missed group lesson in a kids group lesson, and they were different. In the adult class we were doing everything from standing still. In the kids class they were moving around. I also saw the same difference in private lessons. At least at my rink adults are treated like they could break and they are not asked to move. Adults are not allowed in the group MITF group class, but i was allowed in once as it wasn't full. It was an eye opener... there it was were kids learned to move around. Kids also run after each other, playing, adults don't really play... This difference in speed was also visible in competitions. Same level kids were way faster, even if they had worse posture, lesser extension and toe pointing. So adults were actually looking better, though the kids were making up for it by owning an enjoying the performance.

The point I'm trying to make is that, to transition from a beginner level one needs to start moving. In time, the speed you are comfortable skating with will increase, and that speed will help in making the edges more stable so it will give more control to everything. This increasing in speed will give a skater more power. The second thing that would help this transition is the awareness on how to keep your weight over your hips and feet, when your are skating edges on one foot. If you look at older posts, there are lots about edges. That's because I think skating it's all about edges. So you need to put some speed and depth into those basic edges.  I would say that you are not a beginner-beginner anymore if you are able to do the forward circle eight well. Use what I described as edge presses to transition from a beginner to an intermediate skater. And I would say you are not an advanced-beginner anymore (as I think I am) if you can do the backward circle eight well. That's something I'm thinking and I use as milestones to motivate myself :) And just for the record I can do the backward circle eight reasonable well! The edge that's holding me back is the LBI (left backward inside). I can do it well enough at low speed, but I hesitate when I go faster because I need a little longer to find the balance on that edge. And that affects all the skating skills that include that edge as for example the LBI 3turn...

 So really is not the forward one foot spin... Working on the spin for 5- 15 minutes each time you are on ice it's gonna make it happen, but it takes a long time. I was working at it for an hour each time I was on ice, and I don't think it made it come sooner. I just wanted to pass the level and that was the only element that wasn't passing... But I could have used that time better.

I have some suggestions on how to start moving. Firstly, each time when you step on ice do few lines of warm up. I see that all the advanced skaters do this. The meaning is to both warm up the muscles but also ease into feeling the ice and using the edges. Advanced skaters do for example forward and backward power crossovers, edge rolls, edge crosses, and all kinds of fast turns on the length of the ice. Read about my warm up here. For a beginner warm up I would suggest to do:
- forward/backward swizzles where you should concentrate to find where the weight should fall on your blade (back of your foot arch for forward skating, and front of your arch for backward skating). Also you can work on looking up, posture and balance, maybe hand movements.
- forward stroking, read about it here
- edges, trying to make them both more stable and faster. Do them forward and only if comfortable backward. But do work on the backward edges later maybe at the end of the rink... you need them stable and fast for the 3 turns and Mohawks.
- forward slalom where you should try to get into the ice.

The second thing I would suggest is to consider working consistently on MITF maybe with the goal of testing them. That will give your training structure and motivation. The first test asks for stroking, edges, spirals, crossovers and outside 3 turn, all at basic, beginner level. If you plan to compete in USFSA competitions you need these MITF tests and Freestyle tests anyway. MITF covers moves in both directions, covers lots of turns (3-turns, mohowks) and asks for power and speed.

The third suggestion is to put together a program and run it often. I don't have one yet but I think it would make me move with a different rhythm and maybe in a more personal way.

Having a program goes hand in hand with hiring a private coach lessons if you didn't already, because they do the choreography. A private coach I think would suggest what I just did before and would also push you to get it done. On the other hand a private coach will ask about your goals and customize the instructions towards reaching that goal. I feel that as a beginner I didn't really understand the possibilities.

The only other thing I would add is that skating twice a week is enough for when you are a  beginner-beginner. Over that level, I heard many skaters saying that skating twice a week maintains what skills you have. But if you want to learn new skills and to progress, you need more time on ice. To push from a beginner to an intermediate level I think you should skate 3 to 6 sessions per week. The more you skate, the more you'll progress!

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..

Learning skating for beginners (kids and adults)

It's the second time some family friends ask me to teach their kids to skate. To me, this translates to take the kids skating on a public skate session. And I would absolutely love to. And I would also love to present to the parents that don't skate themselves and are not familiar with skating,  what options they have for their kids AND for themselves.

The first option is to skate around during public skate, nothing fancy. Learning to skate around the rink I would say is like learning to ride a bike. You need a little help (few private lessons or lessons from friends) to start, and then you get more comfortable as you do it more and more. Public skating is usually offered just during the weekend. I'm talking about the covered rinks, but of course  there are the outdoor rinks in the winter. You can rent the skates.

Now if the kids (or adults)  love it and they want to learn some fancy skills, that is gonna take time. The skills need to be broken down and learnt step by step and the body needs time to get comfortable and memorize the strange positions we are trying to get to. It takes time, patience and commitment to a schedule. The options here are group lessons and private coaching. And buying your own skates... Beginner skates are around $150, intermediate around $250. Specialty stores also sell used skates, a good idea because kids feet grow quickly plus used skates are already "broken in".

Most skating rinks are affiliated with the local park district and they have group classes, for different ages and different level. The price in my area is around $100 for 2 months of once a week class. You can rent skates for around $5 per class. I decided after skating twice that I need my own skates as the rental ones were too wide for me so hard to control. Group lessons have a curriculum for each level and a testing in each session. There are 5-6 beginner levels, and then 8-10 Freestyle levels and specialty classes like for example Ice Dancing. Beginner kids  are encouraged to practice once more a week. Now, for the first level beginners is hard to practice on their own as they don't know what to practice, but even being on ice on public skating time is helpful. Beginners usually pass a level after one or two sessions.

I think group lessons are great for all levels, as they offer skating buddies that inspire and motivate each other. Being enrolled in group lessons also allows the students to participate in the ice show each rink organizes every year. Parents also get to meet other parents and learn from their experiences.

My biggest regret in my learning to skate journey is that I didn't start private coaching earlier. I started when I was in Freestyle 4 level. Private lessons are expensive as you pay for the ice time $7-12 per hour and the coach time $50-90 per hour. As the student gets to Freestyle level, there is no way for a correct understanding of technique without personalized explanation. But starting private lessons from beginner level will get the basics solid from the beginning. Private lessons started later will anyhow have to correct the basics...

There are local competitions starting from beginner levels. The entry fee I think is around $100-200. Most of the kids get excited to dress up, skate on music and be a star and they are motivated to work harder and polish their skills.

The last thing I want to mention is progress expectation. Firstly, while a beginner, a skater doesn't look much like the skaters we see on TV. I would say students start to look as skaters just at intermediate level. So patience!!!  Secondly, how quickly somebody progresses varies a lot depending on personal abilities and how much time is put into it. Let's say these beginners skills could be learnt in 6 months to 2 years.

Recreational skating versus training

As I mentioned in my first post, I started to skate in a recreational manner, once a week, in group classes and I enjoyed every second of it. I was skating around, sitting around, talking to people, and practicing at leisure, without pressure to get something until a certain time, or ever.

Now, I skate 5 days a week, I take 2 private lessons a week and it feels like training.Why? Because while I always wanted to skate well, slowly I realized that I actually could.

Before starting group lessons I had no contact with skating, I wasn't even watching much on tv. In group lessons I met people like me. The first realization was when I started to go to adult practice ice. While most of the skaters started as kids, there were some that started later in life and they were skating beautifully. What skating beautifully (as an adult) means to me, is skating with confidence, good posture, flow between forward and backwards and maybe some "tricks" (jumps and spins).

Next realization was when I got into the MITF (Moves In The Field) group class. That wasn't usually open for adults, but in one summer the class wasn't full so I was allowed to join. My previous group lessons were following Freestyle (FS) curriculum and covered mostly "tricks" not the flow that I wanted. Well, I found that in the MITF class.

The third realization was during the MITF class, which was a children class, and I saw that kids my level of FS were not actually much better than me. I had it in my mind that it's impossible for an adult to learn as kids learn. That is true for the highly athletic skills like jumps (triple, double, even... singles). But not so much for the steps with flow, edges, transitions, at least up to an intermediary level.

The last realizations was the kids practice schedule. At my level (a very wobbly FS4, that I would call and advanced beginner) I was skating twice a week, one group lesson and one practice session, they were skating 3 times more. They were in average in 2 group lessons, at least one private lesson, syncro team and practice ice 2 to 5 days a week. Some of them were also doing off ice training.

Training is committing to a certain level of practice focused on achieving a certain goal. My goal is to get to skate confidently and hopefully beautifully! As my first desire was to get flow on ice, I started to work on MITF and Ice Dancing. To keep myself motivated and have a structured approach to learning I decided to take the USFSA tests. Test would be a prerequisite if I ever wanted to compete, which I don't at the moment. I take one half hour lesson for MITF and another for ice dance every week, and I practice on my own 7 hours spread from Monday to Friday. I would like to somehow add soon the FS.

The commitment is huge, to learn skating means that after you got a skill correctly, you repeat it as long as you need for it to become muscle memory. And it takes a looong time... After I decided on the financial and  time commitment, I also had to accept the inconvenient schedule and the fact that skating takes away most of my free time. And then is hard work! My body hurts, I get discouraged, impatient, frustrated and then there it is, progress and satisfaction.

I am an adult figure skater

I started figure skating in 2010 as an adult, I was in my mid 30s. I joined a friend to an adult group lesson session offered by my local park district. At first I was skating once a week for 45 minutes in my group class, not thinking of actually learning but just enjoying the ice. I liked the easiness of the gliding, the cold air on my cheeks especially when it was warm outside, and the fact that for those 45 minutes my whole mind was there in a both relaxing and concentrating kind of way.

After around 2 years I graduated the beginner levels into Freestyle discipline, where the jumping and spinning starts and eventual you get to build up programs on music. My group class instructor suggested that I would progress quicker if I would add a practice session per week. Progressing? At that point I was so worried about having to jump, that I didn't actually want to progress. Little did I know that jumping (just half jumps at first) will come waaay easier that spinning for example. Things were becoming interesting, so I welcomed the idea of progress, only to find out that progress was slow. I settled for the next 3 years into a twice a week skating schedule, my group class and my practice session.

Somewhere along the way, skating became more than skating as I've got to meet the warm adult skating community, I gained new friends and I found out  more possibilities in adult figure skating. Like beside doing Freestyle you can do MITF (Moves In The Field) and Ice Dancing, you can take private lessons, put together a program, compete (there is even an adult nationals event), test in front of USFSA (US Figure Skating Association) affiliated judges. Wow!

Here I am today, after 7 years from when I first started, skating 5 days  a week, with 2 half hour private lessons.

I love it so much, I thought I'll share my journey and experiences!