When I first started skating, I knew I was falling all over. The ice felt so slippery, and lifting one foot off the ice was next to impossible. Over time, I learned how to balance on ice, and I learned how to use knee bend to push myself forward and backward, as well.
I no longer feel as much adjustment going from dry land to ice. Obviously, the mechanics of skating is different, but if it's just basic stroking, I can stroke as well as I can walk off-ice. I know I can walk just as well off-ice years ago, when I first started skating, so if I feel no adjustment, I wonder if there are small changes that actually happened in the way I move off-ice.
Have you noticed a difference in your off-ice balance, etc? I notice now that I can stand well on one knee, probably better than before skating (although having never really cared about balance in the past, I never bothered to check it before.)
I'm not sure about moving but I do think I have better posture. I tend to pull my shoulders back more now. And now that you mention it-I do feel like I can do the stretch where you hold your foot to stretch your quad without falling over which is an improvement.
The one downside to figure skating for me is that I do not like roller skating as much as I used to. I don't go often just for the school skating parties with my kids and I don't spend the extra money for roller blades. The traditional roller skates feel heavy and hard to move in. It's pretty much guaranteed that at least once I will try something I do figure skating without even thinking about it and fall or feel really awkward.
Most people who I tell I skate comment that they knew I skate or dance because of my posture. Not sure about movement because I have never really not been a skater. Although I am a complete klutz like walking into things hurting myself often but I am the complete opposite on the ice. My husband marvels at how I can be so graceful on ice but not off ice. :)
Quote from: mamabear on December 15, 2013, 10:48:45 PM
The one downside to figure skating for me is that I do not like roller skating as much as I used to. I don't go often just for the school skating parties with my kids and I don't spend the extra money for roller blades. The traditional roller skates feel heavy and hard to move in. It's pretty much guaranteed that at least once I will try something I do figure skating without even thinking about it and fall or feel really awkward.
That happened to me too! Rollerblades feel so loose now. And I don't feel comfortable stopping without a snowplow! (Just doesn't work on rollerblades...) :laugh:
But in regards to your original question, I think my balance has improved off-ice (maybe because of off-ice practicing for spirals, I think...)
I haven't really noticed any difference in my balance, but I am much more conscious now of my (bad) posture, thanks to my coach constantly asking me to pull my shoulders back and down. I think it's a good thing!
I'm pretty sure it helps with my balance overall.
I know that I lift my head and try to keep my shoulders back and down when I walk. I am aware of my posture as I move through the world. This has been from skating and also from yoga, dance, etc. -