Back on the Ice

I approached going back to skating after nearly 10 days of "rest" (read 'forced separation') with some trepidation. This always happens when I haven't skated for even 3 or 4 days. It's the fear thing.

I was so pleased to see my best skating buddy out on the ice, working on two of her dances, the Ten Fox and European Waltz, which she will be testing this month. Most impressive indeed. She is a lovely ice dancer, with great posture, expression and presence on the ice.

Gingerly, I put my blades on the ice, wondering if I am ever going to get my new boots and blades. Another month I have to wait. Total bummer! Anyway, I am working hard on improving my posture, so I started with slow stroking, holding the proper ice dance stroking position for one length down the ice on each foot. This is not easy, BTW, except for some people. I am getting the feel of the position, which pleases me. Then, worked on drop 3-turns for the European Waltz until Coach J showed up for my lesson. I announced we were going to work on - in this order - the Ten Fox, European Waltz and Paso. She came back with a suggestion that we work on the Fox Trot, EW, and Paso. Good idea. Why take time with Coach J doing the TF when I am working on this with Coach C?

We started with the Fox Trot, the steps for which I had completely forgotten. Had a good bit of difficulty remembering them, but once I did, I really enjoyed the dance. Then, on to the European Waltz. Coach asked me to start by showing her some random drop-three turns. I immediately did the end pattern (four consecutive drop-3s) and she looked genuinely surprised. I received nice comments on this attempt, with mention of the fact that I looked "very balanced" (I felt very balanced also). Then, I attempted doing the dance solo and we agreed that with the alternating 3s, my skill and form wasn't as good as on the end pattern. Much work needed here.

But the real fun began when we worked on the Paso. For some reason, I could not get the end pattern of the dance. So strange. Coach J finally drew the pattern on the ice. Once she did, "No problem!" Ah, it all fell into place at that point. Yay! When my lesson was over, I put on some music for the Paso and worked on the end pattern over-and-over until I felt very comfortable and could even do the end and right-side patterns in time to the music. Very cool, but not patting myself on the back too much. The left side pattern is difficult for me, but I am determined to learn this dance and do it properly. Most of this work was done solo, not in partner position with Coach. Note to self: It is very important that I spend more time working on the dances alone!

And the end of the session, I had skated two hours and was feeling really good. No pain in the hip and it felt wonderful to be on the ice. Onward we go!