Starting to See The Light at the End of the Tunnel

 Good lesson for me today.  First time ever skating a full test pattern of the Blues to music overhead.  I think it was pretty good.  I still need more expression in the dance and to quit looking down at my feet. The Chocktaw is getting better and step 14 - the back CR and LBO edge are making progress.  I still look a bit bent forward at the waist.

As for the Paso Doble… all I can say is … it’s like patting your head and rubbing your stomach.  I am getting closer to muscle memory of the steps but I really need NEAT FEET and more push on all the strokes and of course EXPRESSION in the dance.  Step 17 I always forget is 2 beats.

2 Lesson Week

 Since I didn’t skate last week I decided to take 2 lessons this week.  Today was #2 and it was at 7:00 am.  That is NOT my favorite time of day to skate.  I rallied as best as I could.  We skated hard for the entire hour but I just captured the dances we did with overhead music.  Ironically the best runs are the ones without music playing.

Back After Another Week Off

 I had a good lesson today.  Worked hard.  Made so many runs.  Got through 3 dances with music.  These are not easy and as you can see - the steps are sometimes a challenge.

Get Your Head In The Game!

 2nd Lesson of the week.  A short one but we got lots of Blues practice in and I learned that I have been turning my head the wrong way … forever during the dance, fighting the direction we are skating toward and not looking “out of the circle” like I should.  

When the coach tells you this … it sounds like an easy fix, but for me with what I call “choreography dyslexia” trying to fix something in my upper body means forgetting what my feet and legs are doing!!

Lesson Day Interrupted by Virtual Testing (other skaters)

 Usually during a virtual test other skaters on the session try and skate out of the view of the videographer so as not to block any perspectives a judge needs to see.  I get that.  But it seemed today we spent a lot of time at the wall just waiting for a skater doing “skills”.  Great for her, but it cut into my hour session and my hour of my lesson too.  Oh well.

Swapped Jury Duty for a Skating Lesson!

I somehow got lucky enough to be “dismissed” from jury duty on Tuesday and was able to snag a last minute lesson with coach Vitali.

 

TGIF Pre-Gold Dance Lesson

 End of the week lesson.  We had lots of time to work on most of the dances except the Kilian.

Really struggling (and dislike) the Blues.  I no longer fear the Chocktaw but the Crossroll after and the 4 count LBO edge…. I keep doubling at the waist because ?????  Who knows.

Starlight is my favorite but it’s exhausting to practice over and over.  Trouble area is the change of hold toward the end of the pattern… who wants to let go????

Paso Doble.. I am really still learning the steps .. there are many and they are fast and boggling to my mind.  Many cross behinds and in front … that one will trip me up for sure.

2 for 1 = Same video

 Video edited twice today with different platforms.  Same session.

Awkward Morning On The Ice

 Had a short lesson this morning after walking 18 holes of golf yesterday.   I felt some back pain and could not ever warm up enough to settle into the ice.  Not loving the Blues dance too much… there must be a trick to it.

New Years Goals - Go for the (Pre) Gold

 Happy New Year.  My year started with a minor surgery on Jan 2 - Which is the reason for no video last week.  I really hope to put some extra effort into practice and these dances - all of which I kid you not.. are difficult.