Ice Skating Notes

Because no other adults have signed up for the slot, I am basically getting private skating lessons for the next six weeks. Yesterday was great and I want to get my notes down. There is almost no ice time during the week, so the only time I can skate is Friday nights and Saturday lessons.
Fundamentals: My hips and shoulders need to be square with each other. Keep the arms down and loose. Lead with the hips forwards. 
1) One foot glides - Picking up the foot and gliding balanced on one. Shift my entire weight to one foot before I take it off the ice. Balance is key. Be sure to bring the foot up, not back to maintain balance.
2) Forward Swizzles - Turn the feet out, bend, push and give it some power, bring the toes back in, feet together, rising as I do, forward, then again, feet out, bend, and push.

3) Snow plows. Push down with the ankle, and out with the other leg, the ankle of the leg is turned in, then goes out. Marion drew two hearts on the ice and I had to try to scrape them off.
4) Slaloms- Got almost no where with these, will need to practice. Weight over one knee, the leg bent, other leg straight. Straight leg is the push off leg, making this pattern on the ice.

Notes for myself: Don't LOOK DOWN AT THE ICE! When I look at the ice, my weight shifts forward and I will loose my balance. Focus on letting my muscles learn the moves. Marion might give up on me if I keep doing this.
My fears are, getting hurt, falling down and looking like an idiot. Pep talk: I will fall down, the accomplishment is worth the pain, and I already look like an idiot, but as I practice I'll get better. I must work through my fears with discipline and constancy if I am to become a good skater.
I felt more comfortable on the ice yesterday then I ever have before.Next time, pay for the extra ice time, it would be good to get the practice. Ask more questions about blade work, where my feet are and weight needs to be, and what edges do.
Continue with strengthening ankles and improving balance. Try to work out at least twice a day, before and after work.
Question I ask myself, what is my end goal with this? Do I want to just be competent on the ice, or do I want to learn how to dance, or do advanced moves?

Dancing Outside

To me, there's nothing quite like dancing outside, whether its in the bright sunshine, in the rain, or under the stars, there is something special about it. On of the first pictures my mom has of me is when I'm dancing outside. I remember dancing to Robbie Rob's "In Time" from Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. I remember my Mom telling my I had a gift. A few years ago, a friend who own a spa in Alexandria, Izalia's, had an outdoor party with tribal drums, it was AMAZING! I remember she had a lavender lemonade stand and going back and forth from that to the dancing, with the hanging lanterns and mirrors she'd hung in the trees, it was magical. I remember her mom dancing in a beautiful white gown, and making sure that everyone was comfortable. And by the way, her mom is deaf, and she danced with such amazing joy.
Like I said there is something wonderful about dancing outside.

30 Day Shred

I'm on day 4 of my 30 day shred, and wow, do I feel a difference! When I first started, I could do less then five minutes and my legs were killing me for two days. But, I got back in the saddle, it stretched my legs out and I've been working my way up. I'm at 21 minutes now before I had to do modified versions. I love how the exercises stretch and strengthen my muscles at the same time and how I am still covered with sweat, six minutes after ending. Thanks Jullian!
To round off this day with dance, I turned on my new favorite soundtrack, from "Mirror Mirror" and belly danced to "I Believe In Love". I focused on the arm movements at first, head pats, snake arms, lotus and diamond (those are my favorite, so exotic looking! Then on the second round of the song, I just went and did what I thought was fun. I tried to pretend to play the flute while at the same time pretending to be the music coming from the flute. I wasn't satisfied with the results, but it reminded me that sometimes having pictures in my head about what I am trying to be as I dance helps me dance better. Also, really thinking about the lyrics and what they mean to me, that helps the focus and find ways to express it.
I read about the 17 people who were killed today in Afghanistan for dancing. I feel so sad that there is such actions in the world. I am also so grateful I live in a country where there are men and women willing to fight for even my most basic rights. So to all the service men and woman, thank you, you and your families are in my prayers always. If anyone feels to do so, please tell the next armed forces member "Thank you." It takes courage every time, but it always makes a difference.

Bollywood Ice skating.

So today I thought about on the Metro how fun it would be to learn to skate really well, then cheoregraph a routine with Bollywood music on ice. I wonder if it's ever been done before. Let me check YouTube.
Okay back now. I didn't see any that I really liked, but if you have one you'd like to share, feel free! TO me Bollywood dancing is about joy, drama, grace, and passion. Ice skating has this too. There must be a way to combine the two.
What do you think?

Stake Dances

Another Dance memory: Stake dances. Growing up, my church had bi-weekly youth dances, and I used to live for them! Packaged rice krispie squares and Brittany Spears, with N'Sync, that was what I loved. My favorite thing was to get a bunch of people in a circle and everyone would just dance. Sometimes someone would go to the middle and everyone would cheer, but it was just fun seeing everyone together.

Ice Skating

Today, I learned to ice skate! I never could get the hang of it when I was in high school, and a few years ago tried again, but lacked confidence, and man it hurt something awful! But I think I must be stronger now, because it was easier then I remember and I stayed on the ice for an hour with only two breaks! Push, Push Push slide. It was a little daunting because everytime I tried to move faster, I would stumble, but I only fell once. My little niece was there too, and she was doing really well. My sister, her mom, was in the same class and we really had a blast. I am hopefully going back next Friday, and next Monday's lesson.
How is skating like dance? You must face it without trepidation and smile the entire time, with confidence! And don't look down! I'm so glad I am conquering this!

Dancing in The Circle

Because I have a lot of posts to make up for, I've decided to record some of my favorite dancing memories.
My parents moved our family in the late 80's to a Virginia home. I remember being scared to death of the second floor, I'd never lived in a house that was so big before. It was on five acres of land, with lots of trees and an Indian wall that soon became one of our favorite places to play. The drive way came straight towards the house then split into a circle, with a wide grassy area in the middle. We called it "The Circle". We'd ride our bikes and banana cars around and around it.
I remember dancing in the circle when I was about 6 or 7. Mom has pictures of me with my arms flung out, and my mouth is open, like I was singing to myself, and my little bottom is stuck out at an angle. I remember thinking I was so pretty.  I'll post that picture as soon as I get a copy.
Dancing, for me, is a way to express what I feel in harmony with something that is higher then myself. It almost seems to make me a better person and soothes and fills something inside me. I thought yesterday how my life would be if I didn't have legs. I think I would still dance with my arms and if I lost my arms, I'd dance with my body. It's simply that amazing.