Ahhh!! Sometimes I feel like all I can do is jump!! I can spin, but they are no where near as good as my jumps. The highest spin I can do is a sit back-sit and thats not to great. But I am working on double sows double toes, and I have a consistent axel. Also, I have to work with a ballet coach on my program. My coach says that I am such a powerful skater that its not uncommon to have to work on grace and arm movements. I hope that it gets better after working with her, because I can do all the elements in my program, its just the in between stuff. Has this ever happend to anyone? Or something similar?? Any feedback would help.

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SKATING: It's the feeling you get at the end of a hard practice when you pushed yourself to the limit. It's a part of YOU, something you LOVE and HATE. A bond that NO ONE ELSE understands, but that's okay, because every time you get out on the ice it isn't just you; it's all the friends and coaches, all the practices, the pain, the tears, the memories,the laughter, the "off" competitions. It may seem, skating is really a team sport, it's more than just a sport. IT'S A WAY OF LIFE."

Try laying down on your bed with your eyes closed listening to your skating program music. This exercise is to have you feel each note and beat of your music. Then when you've played your music through 5 times start thinking about how your arms, legs, head and whole body would move to each note of music. Do this often. You and your music need to become one.

Then go back to your choreographer and listen to her every detail and if you feel your body should move another way, ask her what if I move this way to this part of the music. Work with her. Don't become a robot. Feel your music from your heart and soul.

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"It's not age that determines but the heart." "Skating is not just a sport for the young but it's a passion for the soul of the young at heart." Brigitte Laskowski

I am a nomadic adult skater who is a member of Windsor FSC (Skate Windsor) WOS SC again since Sept. 1st, 2008.

http://eastcastlemusic.tripod.com

Singerskates Sports Music Editing

I wouldn't worry about it - some people are jumpers, some are spinners, and others are expressers. For example, I am a spinner. I can't get my axel consistent, but I can do camel-layback-back sit, camel-back camel, flying camel, flying back sit... No one is the complete package!

I think it's a great sign you have a ballet coach. You have recognized a weakness in your skating and are working hard to improve it. You may surprise yourself with the improvement in your presentation after you've worked on it.

As far as your program, you should do some run-throughs without elements - no jumps or spins. Remember, jumps are only about 3 seconds total of your program! The rest of the time you can spend doing all kinds of fun stuff. I think the key is to find music you really love, because you connect with it you will be able to present to it easier.

My daughter was the same way, and I was concerned and asked her coach about it. The coach said that athleticism cannot be taught, but artistry can. I'm sure that is not absolutely true, but you can definitely improve your artistry with coaching and work.

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