You are viewing as a Guest.

Welcome to skatingforums - over 10 years of figure skating discussions for skaters, coaches, judges and parents!

Please register to be able to access all features of this message board.

Author Topic: The essences of figure skating?  (Read 8236 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Iceskating

  • Wearing Rental Skates
  • *
  • Joined: Nov 2014
  • Posts: 6
  • Total GOE: 0
The essences of figure skating?
« on: June 17, 2015, 12:15:09 AM »

There is something interesting happened to me:

Some of my friends are learning "Kendo"(a Japanese form of fencing, they use wooden swords.). The interesting thing is, they told me the essences of this sport are not fighting and attack as we can easily see. The essences of kendo are "focusing" and "awareness". The fighter needs to be really quiet and aware, then he/she can have a good performance and go advanced.

As a figure skating lover, I can't stop thinking what's the essence of figure skating?
We can see elegance and beauty in skating easily, but what's the true essence?
Courage? Self-confidence? ......

Love to hear from you, thanks!





Offline riley876

  • BladeLock
  • AOSS Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Dec 2014
  • Location: NZ
  • Posts: 788
  • Total GOE: 26
Re: The essences of figure skating?
« Reply #1 on: June 17, 2015, 12:54:23 AM »
Excellent topic!

I'm tempted to say, same as kendo:  "focusing" and "awareness".    Calm our wayward brains down enough to focus on what we're doing wrong.   Existing in the present, and not getting distracted by stuff from the past or future. 

Certainly there's a useful working relationship with fear in there somewhere.  I'm not sure how you'd distill that down to a single word, because "courage" doesn't fully cover what I mean here.   Courage is to be scared and act anyway.   But USING fear to delineate ones envelope of competence, and therefore identify and push the pinch points is something more again. 

"Power + control = grace" is another idea I have rattling around in my brain.

"Balance" has to be in there somewhere.  Both literally and figuratively, in terms of sport vs art.   And in terms of conformity vs individuality.



Offline alejeather

  • Ice Tourist
  • ***
  • Joined: Dec 2011
  • Posts: 748
  • Total GOE: 23
  • Gender: Female
Re: The essences of figure skating?
« Reply #2 on: June 17, 2015, 10:39:23 AM »
My first thought was patience and confidence.

Not only do you have to be patient in learning, but a lot of technique requires not rushing to properly execute.

And if you doubt you can do it... forget it. You can't.
"Any day now" turned out to be November 14, 2014.

Offline icedancer

  • Custom Skates
  • *****
  • Joined: Aug 2010
  • Location: USA West Coast, Left Coast
  • Posts: 1,820
  • Total GOE: 143
Re: The essences of figure skating?
« Reply #3 on: June 17, 2015, 03:06:26 PM »
It's all about the edge. And the glide (or flow) -

Offline Doubletoe

  • Three-Penny Three-Turns
  • ****
  • Joined: Aug 2010
  • Posts: 1,286
  • Total GOE: 139
Re: The essences of figure skating?
« Reply #4 on: June 17, 2015, 05:10:09 PM »
There is something interesting happened to me:

Some of my friends are learning "Kendo"(a Japanese form of fencing, they use wooden swords.). The interesting thing is, they told me the essences of this sport are not fighting and attack as we can easily see. The essences of kendo are "focusing" and "awareness". The fighter needs to be really quiet and aware, then he/she can have a good performance and go advanced.

As a figure skating lover, I can't stop thinking what's the essence of figure skating?
We can see elegance and beauty in skating easily, but what's the true essence?
Courage? Self-confidence? ......

Love to hear from you, thanks!

It's funny, I saw that news story about the Kendo World Championships on NHK News and immediately said to my husband, "This complaint sounds like what the old-time figure skaters say about all the young skaters nowadays: 'They should never have gotten rid of compulsory figures.  That was the basis of figure skating, and why it's called figure skating in the first place!  Young skaters these days have no clue!'"  Poor edge quality is also the criticism given to skaters who transferred from roller skating or other sports.  So I have to say the true essence of figure skating is the understanding and mastery of the 8 edges (LFO, LFI, LBO, LBI, RFO, RFI, RBO, RBI).

Offline riley876

  • BladeLock
  • AOSS Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Dec 2014
  • Location: NZ
  • Posts: 788
  • Total GOE: 26
Re: The essences of figure skating?
« Reply #5 on: June 17, 2015, 05:19:18 PM »
Ah, If you're going to reduce it down to the absolute essentials,  may I suggest:

"Push, retract, repeat...".

Offline Bill_S

  • Over the Edge
  • *******
  • Joined: Aug 2010
  • Location: Athens, OH
  • Posts: 3,196
  • Total GOE: 369
  • Gender: Male
  • Whack! Bam! Ouch!
    • Bill's skating pages
Re: The essences of figure skating?
« Reply #6 on: June 17, 2015, 05:58:44 PM »
Figure skating is the art of keeping the steel side down, and the flesh side up.
Bill Schneider

Offline ChristyRN

  • Salchow-a-Bunga!
  • *****
  • Joined: Aug 2010
  • Location: North Carolina
  • Posts: 1,417
  • Total GOE: 184
  • Gender: Female
Re: The essences of figure skating?
« Reply #7 on: June 17, 2015, 08:08:26 PM »
Figure skating is the art of keeping the steel side down, and the flesh side up.

I want to like this a thousand times!
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with one gorgeous redhead.  (Lucille Ball)

Offline Neverdull44

  • Making the Ice Cake
  • ****
  • Joined: May 2013
  • Location: Southwest Florida
  • Posts: 979
  • Total GOE: 120
  • Gender: Female
Re: The essences of figure skating?
« Reply #8 on: June 17, 2015, 09:44:54 PM »
Feeling is the essence of figure skating.

Feeling the music.  Feeling the program.  Feeling the wind.  Feeling your center.  Feeling for the right time to jump.   I could go on & on.  But, it's feeling.

Offline ls99

  • Zamboni Driver
  • **
  • Joined: Feb 2011
  • Location: 65 Miles SE of Pittsburgh
  • Posts: 111
  • Total GOE: 14
  • Gender: Male
Re: The essences of figure skating?
« Reply #9 on: August 27, 2015, 10:00:12 PM »
There is another Japanese word that my be helpful: wakarimasu,  means understanding. As in any martial art, understanding of any move is essential before it can be applied effectively, and with dedicated correct practice becomes one that can be said to be owned.

 Often said "practice makes perfect" it is a huge fallacy. Incorrect practice makes for perfectly incorrect results.  Perfect practice of a move in all respects creates perfection.

As a relatively newbie skater I do try to transfer this understanding to my skating.

Unless one understands the essence of any move, such as edges and is able apply without thinking all other stuff is likely to be sloppy. 

I had  conversation on this topics with a friend and skating judge in her eighties, she often laments the lack of understanding and application of basic skills in competitions.
There must be moderation in everything. Including moderation.

Offline Doubletoe

  • Three-Penny Three-Turns
  • ****
  • Joined: Aug 2010
  • Posts: 1,286
  • Total GOE: 139
Re: The essences of figure skating?
« Reply #10 on: August 28, 2015, 01:19:54 PM »
There is another Japanese word that my be helpful: wakarimasu,  means understanding. As in any martial art, understanding of any move is essential before it can be applied effectively, and with dedicated correct practice becomes one that can be said to be owned.

 Often said "practice makes perfect" it is a huge fallacy. Incorrect practice makes for perfectly incorrect results.  Perfect practice of a move in all respects creates perfection.

As a relatively newbie skater I do try to transfer this understanding to my skating.

Unless one understands the essence of any move, such as edges and is able apply without thinking all other stuff is likely to be sloppy. 

I had  conversation on this topics with a friend and skating judge in her eighties, she often laments the lack of understanding and application of basic skills in competitions.

I'd use "rikai" rather than "wakarimasu" for that, but yes, absolutely.

Offline Query

  • Asynchronous Skating Team Leader
  • ********
  • Joined: Aug 2010
  • Location: Maryland, USA
  • Posts: 4,104
  • Total GOE: 113
  • Gender: Male
    • mgrunes.com
Re: The essences of figure skating?
« Reply #11 on: August 28, 2015, 03:00:51 PM »
Fun.

Offline holdontilmae

  • Beware the Bars of Death!
  • *
  • Joined: Aug 2015
  • Posts: 56
  • Total GOE: 29
Re: The essences of figure skating?
« Reply #12 on: November 19, 2015, 05:40:57 PM »
Feeling is the essence of figure skating.

Feeling the music.  Feeling the program.  Feeling the wind.  Feeling your center.  Feeling for the right time to jump.   I could go on & on.  But, it's feeling.

I love this, Neverdull. I think it  perfectly sums up the essence of skating for me and my experience. I can't do anything until I understand what it's supposed to feel like. That's how I learn: just doing it over and over until I get that feeling of rightness. And once you get the feeling of doing an element, whether it's a great deep edge or a spin that's finally on the rocker, you always try to get back there.

Offline jbruced

  • Traveling in a Synchro Circle
  • **
  • Joined: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 148
  • Total GOE: 5
Re: The essences of figure skating?
« Reply #13 on: November 19, 2015, 08:18:33 PM »
I'd use "rikai" rather than "wakarimasu" for that, but yes, absolutely.
These both seem to mean understand. Is there a nuance in the meaning or use?

The OP's question is intriguing.

Offline Neverdull44

  • Making the Ice Cake
  • ****
  • Joined: May 2013
  • Location: Southwest Florida
  • Posts: 979
  • Total GOE: 120
  • Gender: Female
Re: The essences of figure skating?
« Reply #14 on: December 03, 2015, 07:42:21 PM »
It's the surprise of a very slow climb!    It's the most sweet torture!

I never know what tricks are going to be with me that day, month, or even year.   One day, I have a decent lutz.  Next day, lutz is gone but the camel spin is there.   

Offline trixietoes

  • Axelicious!
  • **
  • Joined: Oct 2015
  • Posts: 85
  • Total GOE: 0
Re: The essences of figure skating?
« Reply #15 on: December 07, 2015, 07:28:30 PM »
 The essence of figure skating is the feeling of freedom and flight controlled by the blade on ice ;  it transports the spirit and transcends any other form of human movement.

Offline Doubletoe

  • Three-Penny Three-Turns
  • ****
  • Joined: Aug 2010
  • Posts: 1,286
  • Total GOE: 139
Re: The essences of figure skating?
« Reply #16 on: December 08, 2015, 08:20:04 PM »
These both seem to mean understand. Is there a nuance in the meaning or use?

"Wakarimasu" (infinitive form is"wakaru") simply means to know or to understand, but without the implication of a deep comprehension.  Example: "Nihongo wakarimasu" means "I understand Japanese." 
"Rikai" is the noun that means "understanding" or "comprehension".  Adding "suru" to it makes it into a verb "rikai suru" (or "rikai shimasu").
Rikai is a deeper level of understanding than "wakaru".  Example: "Watashi no tachiba rikai suru" means "He/she understands my position."

Offline sampaguita

  • Alex, I'd like to buy an axel…
  • *****
  • Joined: Feb 2011
  • Posts: 1,551
  • Total GOE: 44
Re: The essences of figure skating?
« Reply #17 on: December 11, 2015, 01:10:21 AM »
"Wakarimasu" (infinitive form is"wakaru") simply means to know or to understand, but without the implication of a deep comprehension.  Example: "Nihongo wakarimasu" means "I understand Japanese." 
"Rikai" is the noun that means "understanding" or "comprehension".  Adding "suru" to it makes it into a verb "rikai suru" (or "rikai shimasu").
Rikai is a deeper level of understanding than "wakaru".  Example: "Watashi no tachiba rikai suru" means "He/she understands my position."

You speak Japanese??? Cool! :)

Offline jbruced

  • Traveling in a Synchro Circle
  • **
  • Joined: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 148
  • Total GOE: 5
Re: The essences of figure skating?
« Reply #18 on: December 11, 2015, 07:31:30 PM »
"Wakarimasu" (infinitive form is"wakaru") simply means to know or to understand, but without the implication of a deep comprehension.  Example: "Nihongo wakarimasu" means "I understand Japanese." 
"Rikai" is the noun that means "understanding" or "comprehension".  Adding "suru" to it makes it into a verb "rikai suru" (or "rikai shimasu").
Rikai is a deeper level of understanding than "wakaru".  Example: "Watashi no tachiba rikai suru" means "He/she understands my position."
Doubletoe thank you for this; very helpful to me.

Offline jbruced

  • Traveling in a Synchro Circle
  • **
  • Joined: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 148
  • Total GOE: 5
Re: The essences of figure skating?
« Reply #19 on: December 11, 2015, 07:35:34 PM »
I think the essence of skating is exquisite dynamic balance.

Offline AgnesNitt

  • Asynchronous Skating Team Leader
  • ********
  • Joined: Aug 2010
  • Location: East o' the sun; and west o' the moon
  • Posts: 5,384
  • Total GOE: 516
  • Gender: Female
    • The ice doesn't care
Re: The essences of figure skating?
« Reply #20 on: December 11, 2015, 08:30:02 PM »
The essence of skating is gliding and silence.
Yes I'm in with the 90's. I have a skating blog. http://icedoesntcare.blogspot.com/

Offline tstop4me

  • Alex, I'd like to buy an axel…
  • *****
  • Joined: Oct 2015
  • Location: USA
  • Posts: 1,572
  • Total GOE: 196
  • Conserve Angular Momentum
Re: The essences of figure skating?
« Reply #21 on: December 12, 2015, 06:35:27 AM »
THE essence of figure skating is Dorothy Hamill.  8)

Offline riley876

  • BladeLock
  • AOSS Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Dec 2014
  • Location: NZ
  • Posts: 788
  • Total GOE: 26
Re: The essences of figure skating?
« Reply #22 on: December 12, 2015, 05:46:01 PM »
It's a love affair.

An insane from the get-go, sometimes physically abusive, utterly mad and usually unrequited love affair.

Offline trixietoes

  • Axelicious!
  • **
  • Joined: Oct 2015
  • Posts: 85
  • Total GOE: 0
Re: The essences of figure skating?
« Reply #23 on: December 13, 2015, 11:07:40 PM »
tstop4me   :

You speak the truth.

Offline Doubletoe

  • Three-Penny Three-Turns
  • ****
  • Joined: Aug 2010
  • Posts: 1,286
  • Total GOE: 139
Re: The essences of figure skating?
« Reply #24 on: December 14, 2015, 02:53:55 PM »
Doubletoe thank you for this; very helpful to me.

You're welcome!  And sorry to everyone else about the Japanese language thread drift, LOL!