'Perfect Practice Makes Perfect'

Congratulations, students and parents! You have made it to the end of another Learn to Skate session, an important milestone for all ice skaters. For those of you who passed the final test and are ready to move on to the next level, well done. For those of you who are repeating a level, there is no need to worry; in fact it is better to fully master your skills instead of moving forward too quickly.

As we head into the holidays, take this time to skate more and improve your skills before the new session. They say a skater should practice at least one hour reviewing and working on the skills learned for every group lesson taken,.  Skating on open sessions with friends and family will not only get you into the holiday spirit, but will also give you the opportunity to show off all that you've learned. You can also take private lessons by contacting one of the Learn to Skate coaches and coordinating a day and time.

I'm sure many of you have heard of the phrase, 'practice makes perfect' and the long held belief that if you practice for 10,000 hours then one can become an expert at a particular skill.  This can apply to skating because if one is persistent in his/her practice and puts in the hours, one eventually will improve and become proficient in the skill.  In skating, there's a term called 'muscle memory' which basically means that if one practices countless hours then the muscle- really the brain- begins to memorize the movement and eventually your body will be able to perform the skill without consciously having to think about it.  However, I strongly feel that the key to mastering a skill is not just continuous repetition but to do it in the correct way.  If one keeps practicing the wrong movement then one would have to unlearn the wrong technique and take more time to learn the correct way.  Believe me, I can attest to this because I learned to do a jump and practiced many times but later found out that my technique was wrong because I wrapped my leg when I jumped and I had to take time out and start over and relearn how to jump which made me lose much valuable time.  So what's important to remember is that practice does not make perfect, only 'perfect practice makes perfect' as said by legendary football coach, Vince Lombardi.  One becomes an expert in a skill by how smartly he/she practices and not just mindlessly repeating the skill wrong over and over.  I think this is such great advice not only in learning to master a skill in skating or in any other sport but a positive and empowering mantra in striving for excellence in life.

Practice is not just important in refining your technique but it's important for another reason.  When you become good enough to compete then there are skills such as learning to be mentally tough which then becomes an important factor in performance.  Speaking from experience, I still get so scared and nervous when I have to go out there on the ice and each time it feels like it's my first competition despite competing for all these years.  No matter how much hard work and training you've put in, I feel that if you don't have the mental toughness then it's very difficult to skate a clean program.  Your nerves and mind take over and if you don't have self confidence and can't stay focus and calm under pressure then no matter how much training you put in, you would not be able to perform to your potential.  That's why it's important to practice and train hard so when you become good enough to compete, you can rely on your physical training and muscle memory and need only worry about mastering your fears.

So, my advice is to take the time to practice and work hard now while on holiday break because it will pay off in the end.  Besides, what better way to spend time with family and friends than skating and showing off all that you have learned in our classes.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!  

Importance of Crossovers

Hey everyone, Happy New Year! Today is the first day back to Learn to Skate, and I hope you all are just as excited as I am to get back on the ice and learn new skills. 

This week I decided to focus on crossovers, one of the basic yet most important elements of figure skating. I begin every Learn to Skate lesson with forward and backward crossovers, and I often receive complaints from my students. "What is the point of crossovers?" they ask me. I can relate to the annoyance they feel about practicing crossovers every session, as I also despised them when I first started skating. However, it is important to understand that crossovers are a necessity of skating- all skaters including elite athletes and professionals need to know the proper technique of crossovers. Crossovers give you speed, help you transition between elements and are the leading element into every jump and spin. It is so important to properly do crossovers in order to acquire good basic skills and become a strong skater. 

Take time this weekend to watch the US National Skating Championships and notice how much every skater uses crossovers throughout their programs. 

Proper Blade Care

It is important to take good care of ice skates, especially when you move from rental skates to your own pair.  Skate blades are one of the most important components of the skates as it affects your speed and balance and the precision of your jumps, spins and turns.  You should always wear skate guards when you are walking in your skates around the rink and use skating soakers once you've taken off your skates and dried them ready to be packed away. 

My skating guards for my freestyle figure skates and ice dance skates

Your blades must be kept dry, clean and safe to prevent any damage. You want to make sure your blades are protected from rocks, metal, cement or wood because they can result in nicks and scratches on your blades.  Once your blades are damaged, it will result in uneven skating and negatively impact your performance. To prevent this from happening, you should buy skate guards from any local skate shop or online. A recommended brand would be Rockerz which is what I have and I customized my own guards with different colors.  Unless you're on the ice, skate guards should always be worn.  The guards will keep your blades shielded and protected. One important thing to keep in mind when it comes to your skate guards is to take them off when you are about to get on the ice. If you forget to take off your guards, it will be impossible for you to stand on the ice.  Your skates will slide from under you and you will crash hard onto the ice.  Although it's the funniest thing to see, it's quite embarrassing for the person who fell and he/she looks like such an idiot; however, it's bound to happen because we all do it at least once in our lives.  When you take the guards off , make sure you carry them with you onto the ice so that you can put them back on the moment you get off the ice.  To maintain your guards, you should often clean out the insides because they accumulate dirt and grit over time which can be abrasive to your blades.

My soakers are always on my skates when I'm not on ice and they keep my blades dry and protected

When you're finished skating, you should quickly use a clean absorbent towel to wipe the blades dry to get rid of excess water. Water can lead to rust and deterioration of the metal and once your blades have rusted, it can never hold an edge again. So, it is extremely important to keep your blades dry and avoid water damage. You should definitely invest in skating soakers because they're made of terry cloth and are the best material for keeping blades dry and protected. Even after drying your blades, it will still be wet because the metal blades will be cold and after some time, there will be more water formed from condensate due to the warmer room temperature. The soakers will draw off any remaining water and keeps the blades dry until your next skate.  There are some really cute soaker styles out there - besides different colors, there are various animal skating soakers and some even make the sounds of the animals they represent!  My soakers are just plain purple which is my favorite color.  

The better you take care of your blades, the longer they last.  Skates are an expensive investment. When you advance to higher level skating, you will buy your blades separate from your boots and the blades can cost as much as $500-$700!  So, it's wise to take good care of your skate blades.

What Girls Should Wear for Lesson and Practice

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As a follow-up to last week's post, I want to specifically address the proper skating attire for girls because I see too many of them in their skating dresses and they look so uncomfortably cold.  I'm not sure if they want to or whether their moms want them to wear the dresses. There is no requirement to wear a skating dress for practice or group instruction unless your child insists.  I strongly feel staying warm and comfortable are more important that looking pretty on the ice. Many young female students from my skating club wear popular skating apparel tops and bottoms from Chloe Noel, Mondor and Ivivva (youth brand of Lululemon).  You can find the Chloe Noel and Mondor athletic clothings in the pro-skating shop at your local rink or online, (https://figureskatingstore.com/skating-apparel/) and Ivivva at your local retail store. I've also seen skating apparel sold in dance shops.  

When I go to practice, I generally wear tops from Lululemon.  They're easy to move around in and I find them form fitting which makes it easier for my coaches, particularly my dance coach, to see my body alignment so they can give me advice on my technique. When I was young, my mom use to make me wear Under Armour turtlenecks because she is so deathly afraid of the cold and thinks I would freeze on the ice.  However, my mom can't seem to understand that I like the cold and being cold on the ice was the farthest thing I was feeling especially when I was sweating profusely from working so hard on the ice.  Also, I hated wearing turtlenecks because I felt too restrictive in my movements and felt I was being strangled.  Nowadays, I generally wear a short sleeve shirt on the ice even during winters which drives my mom still crazy.  I also always wear my black Mondor skating pants for practice.  I don't really like those wacky colorful designer pants because I feel it attracts too much attention on the ice and prefer not to be noticed and observed especially when I fall on the ice.  My most important advice when purchasing skating clothes is to find appropriate clothing that would keep you warm in a cold ice rink.  

However, if your daughter insists on wearing a skating dress for practice because it makes her feel pretty then make sure you layer her up and have her wear a sweater or a snug sweatshirt or jacket over her dress.  Some of the more popular brand practice dresses are Jerry's, Mondor and Chloe Noel.  Both Mondor and Chloe Noel make high performance tights which can be worn with the dresses and the tights are thick but also soft and comfortable to keep legs warm.  These companies are leaders in the manufacturing of ice skating tights in the US.  They offer different color tights ranging from tan, suntan and caramel colors and some even come with a crystal appliqué.  There's also a huge selection of skating tights - footed, footless and over the boot, and all depends on your daughter's preference.  The footed tights fit like pantyhose and the footless, not as popular, will require socks or other hosiery when wearing skates.  Most skaters prefer over the boot tights because it gives them a longer leaner look to their legs.  Another big benefit is that it holds the laces in place and won't get unlaced.  It also prevents potential accidents of skaters hooking their boots together when skating.  The only wearing over the boot tights is that there's a tendency for holes to form near the toes because they're worn also the skates and have contact with the skate blades.  You will also need to wear socks or other hosiery when wearing this type of skating tights.
Please remember to keep an extra pair of tights in your bag in case you accidentally tear it.  

Another important thing for girls to wear are hair ties so that the hair is not hanging over your daughter's eyes and they can see clearly ahead and won't be distracted when learning to spin or jump.  Girls can either tie their hair back or put it up in a ponytail.  If the hair is very long then maybe also consider braiding it or putting it in a bun.  

Please remember dressing properly will help you skate better!

How to Properly Tie Skates

As with any new sport, the start of Learn to Skate attracts many excited yet confused parents. If you are concerned about properly tying skates, don't worry - you're not alone. It is definitely a complicated process - they are often too tight, too loose, wrong size, etc. It is important to tie skates properly because it will affect your child’s experience on the ice. I often have to retie skates for students during the lesson and this is counterproductive because it wastes time and takes my attention away from other students. Each lesson is only 30 minutes, so in order to maximize the little time we have, all students’ skates should be tied properly before the lesson begins.

Tying the skates is extremely important in terms of providing comfort as well as ensuring the efficiency of the skates. Skates that are too loose can cause wobbliness and the risk of a twisted ankle, while skates that are too tight may prevent proper foot movement such as bending and pushing. To begin with, make sure you receive the correct size rental skate and that your foot fits snugly inside. There should be room to wiggle your toes, however not too much room that your entire foot can slide around. Begin with the laces closest to the toes and tighten them by pulling until it is secure. These laces are only meant to keep your foot in place, so they do not need to be extremely tight or constricting. Tie each lace slightly tighter than the last as you go up the boot. When you finish tightening the laces, you will reach the ankle which is the most crucial part of tying skates. The ankle requires the most support so it is important to make this as snug as possible to prevent any foot movement on the ice. After tying a secure knot on the ankle, work your way up the remainder of the boot by looping the laces around the hooks. These laces should be tight as well since they will prevent the skaters’ foot from shifting on the ice. When both skates are finished, make sure your child is capable of bending his/her knees and walking properly. There should not be room for the heel to lift while walking, but there should be room for toe movement. Listen to your child and adjust his/her skates based on how tight or loose they feel they are. As usual, the skaters’ comfort is of utmost importance.

First Day ...What Do I Wear?

Today is my very first blog entry and also the first class of a new Learn to Skate session. I'm so excited to start blogging (yet nervous too) and to meet my new students and parents (and also to have my old students/parents back with me)!  The first class is usually the craziest and most confusing, therefore it is important to arrive at the rink early so you and your child have ample time to check in, lace up your skates, layer up and meet your instructor.  Make sure you have your child come prepared to class with warm clothing.  I don't know how many students I've taught who don't wear jackets and gloves/mittens on the ice and they get so cold by the first ten minutes of lesson and lose focus and concentration and consequently, don't learn much during the rest of class. 

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Wearing gloves not only keeps your child's hands warm but also provides protection in case he/she falls and we all know, falling is highly likely when learning a new skill.  I recommend buying inexpensive gloves and having more than one pair in your bag because kids seem to often lose or misplace their gloves easily. You can even buy different colored gloves - maybe your child’s favorite color or a bright/neon color - to help make them stand out on the ice.

It's also a good idea to layer clothing and have a jacket so that your child can take off when he/she starts moving a lot and his/her body temperatures get warmer.  It's best to wear clothes that your child is comfortable in and will allow him/her to easily move and stretch.  I always see one or two kids wearing jeans to class.  I highly recommend no jeans because it can be bulky and too constrictive and conforming to legs that it does not allow your child to move freely on the ice.  Also skating in wet jeans can be very uncomfortable and again, it's all about staying warm and comfortable to have a good lesson.  Sweatpants or leggings are also appropriate and I would recommend snow pants to be worn over them to protect your child from getting cold and wet when falling.  In addition to jacket(s), gloves and appropriate pants, it's important to wear thin socks.  Thin socks are better than bulky ones because it allows your child's skates to fit snug around the feet and also avoids having any potential bumps inside the skates.  Don't worry so much about your child's feet getting cold because there's ample insulation from the skates.  I also don't recommend cotton socks because the fabric absorbs moisture when your child's feet sweat so he/she will have cold and wet feet which leads to discomfort. 

A good fitting bike, ski, or hockey helmet is also highly recommended if your child is under 6 yrs of age.  Even older kids are encouraged to wear helmets, especially if it is their first time on the ice.  Forgetting any of these essential items can negatively affect your child’s experience on the ice as comfort and safety are extremely crucial aspects of skating.  So be prepared and your child will be happy and sure to have a great time learning new skills and tricks!

Wow, my first blog post and it was not super complicated at all …actually, so fun! I’m really happy I can impart my knowledge and inspire others of my skating passion and hope I can truly make a difference. Thanks for reading!