Pre-Pandemic Mandi is Back!

Today was a good day! I had a productive practice before my lesson and the lesson itself was pretty good. I finally feel like I've caught up to my pre-pandemic skater self! w00t!

Practicez - I'm dedicating the majority of my practices to my weakest Moves elements (Backward 3s, Power Pulls, and Backward Cross Strokes). My forward power pulls are starting to develop a rhythm which is helping me perform them better. They are still a little snake-y but every time I do them, the edges are feeling more deliberate. Progress is small but it's happening. Backward cross strokes are finding their rhythm as well. These are developing nicely. Finally, I was able to do my FO-BI 3 turns in the full pattern! I had a couple on my bad side where I put my foot down but I've never been able to do the full pattern on both sides! Yay! I also worked on the Eight Step Mohawk but not in the full pattern. I just chose a hockey circle and worked on both sides for a bit to try to get more comfortable with getting an even cadence with my steps.

Lessonz - We started with Moves and he asked me which one I wanted to look at today. I told him to choose and, of course, he chose those damn backward 3 turns. At least I've been practicing them and was able to do them reasonably well. However, I'm either placing the turns too early or too late at the top of the lobe so we worked a bit on getting a better placement. Then we moved on to choreography for my new program music. We didn't get anything solidified today but just kinda messed around with some pretty movements. I'm really glad I decided to switch my program to something more lyrical. I really need something gentle and emotional right now. I want to skate pretty and with feeling rather than the aggressive in-your-face Devil program (which I'm going to do at a later date when I feel it's appropriate). Hearing my new music through the rink speakers was lovely and I can't wait to see how Christopher choreographs this. What we worked on today was already really pretty!

On Friday, I go back to the rink. Christopher asked if I would be interested in doing a group lesson with a bunch of other adults where we would work on movement and choreography. I said yes! I think it will be fun to have an adults only workshop. Neat!