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Ice skating
Jan. 3rd, 2013 02:19 pmMonday was my first ice skating class and after painfuly slow making one round on the 400 m ice rink, I was assigned to he beginnersgroup. Most of the time during the first class we worked on posture and balance, meaning how to stay in the correct position without falling over. I was okay, except for me not figuring out how to close my skates properly.
Second day: different teacher. A skinny guy named Wytze who probably is Fries. The Fries province is well known for ice skating during the winter and sailing during the summer. Things started to click in my body as I was feeling more secure on he ice and better balanced. Also, I figured out how to close the clasp on my skates what might have helped.
Today was the third day and I noticed that I didn't suck. I can do pretty decent strokes when I am skating (it's all about efficiency, less strokes are better). I also found some interesting parralels with dance, for the ballet fans out here. In order to increase your balance, you have to be in demi plie the whole time. Foot placement is like a fifth position (well my fitfth position with feet at 90 degree angle. Real dancers would do 18-0 degree, which wouldn't work for skating). Weight is placed on the heels, boh the working as the standing leg. Weight transfer from the body from one leg to the other is much more like the weight transfer in belly dance, trying to shift seamless from one leg to the other.
After class I stayed a bit longer so I could practice a bit n my own. Trying to find my rhythm, if I could skate with my hands behind my back, and trying to stand as long as possible on one leg before shifting back. It was hypnotizing, just me, the ice and the feeling offling over the ice. Like running, but less exhausting.
Tomorrow is the last class, I'll ask the teacher what kind of skates I'd need if I wanted to continue. Probalby not with weekly classes, but going to the rink once every 3-4 weeks is realistic. Tomorrow w'll do more of the scary part, with the technique for gong through corners. Eep!
Second day: different teacher. A skinny guy named Wytze who probably is Fries. The Fries province is well known for ice skating during the winter and sailing during the summer. Things started to click in my body as I was feeling more secure on he ice and better balanced. Also, I figured out how to close the clasp on my skates what might have helped.
Today was the third day and I noticed that I didn't suck. I can do pretty decent strokes when I am skating (it's all about efficiency, less strokes are better). I also found some interesting parralels with dance, for the ballet fans out here. In order to increase your balance, you have to be in demi plie the whole time. Foot placement is like a fifth position (well my fitfth position with feet at 90 degree angle. Real dancers would do 18-0 degree, which wouldn't work for skating). Weight is placed on the heels, boh the working as the standing leg. Weight transfer from the body from one leg to the other is much more like the weight transfer in belly dance, trying to shift seamless from one leg to the other.
After class I stayed a bit longer so I could practice a bit n my own. Trying to find my rhythm, if I could skate with my hands behind my back, and trying to stand as long as possible on one leg before shifting back. It was hypnotizing, just me, the ice and the feeling offling over the ice. Like running, but less exhausting.
Tomorrow is the last class, I'll ask the teacher what kind of skates I'd need if I wanted to continue. Probalby not with weekly classes, but going to the rink once every 3-4 weeks is realistic. Tomorrow w'll do more of the scary part, with the technique for gong through corners. Eep!
