Learning a Side Lean Spin

 Today in my weekly lesson with Naomi we worked on putting the ending together for my free dance. We recently revamped the required Character Step Sequence which needs to use up the short axis of the rink.

Still Dancing on Freestyle Blades

 I’m still skating in my Freestyle boots and blades.  Some edges feel less secure while others more so ..

Today we didn’t get much past the Silver Tango.

Moving To Arizona

 Big news.  We have decided to make the move to Arizona permanent and give up our big beautiful home in Liberty Lake.  We’ve been loving it for 10 years but it’s big and a lot of work.  So we will start 2024 as new full time residents of Arizona probably escaping northbound as Reverse Snowbirds.. like Canadian Geese!

With all that on my mind it was difficult to skate well this week.

Foggy Lesson Day

 Special affects?  No just some Arizona rain and building humidity.  It created a foggy foggy rink with some bumpy drips in the center of the ice.

Still on FS blades working on a decision to stay in them or go back to my dance blades.  There were several instances today when my blades “clicked” … spinning feels better but speed across the ice is lessened.

In my lesson we changed the ending choreography putting the long edge (spread eagle) after the character step sequence on the short axis … it’s ALWAYS a challenge.

Marching Into Spring on Freestyle Blades!

 I did it.  I tried going back to my old skates this week.  The jury is still out.  I was skidding quite a bit at first.  The blades are not set exactly as my dance blades and I feel like I have to work harder on things like stopping and stroking .. however everything else felt fine while in partner.  I didn’t get a chance to do the spin in my program run.  I know I will be able to do a better spin in these skates.  Will try again Wednesday.

Last Lesson On Dance Blades (for a while)

 I’ve grown increasingly frustrated on my dance blades.  They are working great for preventing tripping on the tail of the blade during partnering but I cannot get comfortable doing solo spins and I am nearly to the point of going back to square one.

Next week I will try both lessons on my freestyle blades and see what comes of it.

Back from (watching) Sectionals

Watching Adult Sectionals this past weekend was inspiring.  It was great to see everyone skate and especially nice to be just watching and not sitting there with butterflies worrying about my event!  

My lesson with Vitali went pretty good on Monday after a long drive Sunday.  I was tired but tried to give it my all. 

I only have till mid April to whip these dances into testing shape.  I hope I can do it.  The American Waltz and Rocker Foxtrot are giving me trouble.  Practicing these dances without a partner are virtually impossible so far.  Trying to do the swing 3 turns alone just throws me off balance and the rocker isn’t happening at all.