What has skating REALLY taught you?

[rosereedy]

I'm not talking about jumps, spins, turns, etc. Let's dig deeper than that. 
It has taught me patience, courage and how to really listen to my body.  I learned that holding back with just hinder me.  I carry that with me in life now.

You?

[Live2Sk8]

Lots but I'd say these 2 things are top of list:
- perseverance and determination to keep trying difficult skills despite utter lack of talent, just for the sheer joy of skating
- willingness to try things that scare you even when your basic personality type is to be very cautious

[irenar5]

Bad days come and go. 
No matter how impossible something seems now, eventually it will be possible with work, time and desire.

[SynchKat]

To be tough!  I learned early to be able to have someone basically tell you to your face what you are doing wrong and to be able to take it without falling apart. 

[Cush]

Fall, get back up. Fall get back up. Fall...

[ChristyRN]

Fall, get back up. Fall get back up. Fall...

On that line of thought--If I don't fall I'm not getting out of my comfort zone and learning new stuff. And that I'm not too old to learn new skills in a sport that is considered a young person's.

[VAsk8r]

Falls are learning experiences. You have to fall to learn.

If you keep working at something, you will improve. It might seem like you're working five times harder and longer than other people, but your passion for getting it right is nothing to be ashamed of.

Getting last in a competition or failing a test does not make you a failure. It says nothing about you as a person. How you react to it does say something.

It's your life; spend it doing what you love. Don't be afraid to say, "I can't do that tonight because I have skating. How about tomorrow instead?" (This is an area I've really struggled in lately.)

[ONskater74]

what everyone else said

well said too

[icedancer]

Doing figures as a kid taught me about discipline and work.

In fact skating in general has taught me loads about discipline, difficulty and work. 

We were always "working on something" as skaters - repeating, repeating, repeating, repeating - perfecting and shaping.

Love it!

[Cush]

Fall, get back up. Fall get back up. Fall...

Falls are all good I believe. What I meant to convey is that you've got to persevere despite the pain (physical and emotional). I honestly don't feel any shame in falling anymore.

[sk8great]

Skating has taught me lots of stuff.
- Perseverance
- Determination
- To believe in myself
- Hopefulness
- That practice does really make perfect
- That falling is part of the game
- Patience
- Fearlessness
- Be tough

When Im on the ice, Im on a totally different world. I put all my problems or worries aside. Skating will and forever be part of me. 

[hopskipjump]

To never tally up monthly skate costs.  Just pay one lesson/session at a time.   

[Mergen Tatara]

- Determination
- Hardwork
- Self-confidence (since skating is unfairly perceived as a "girls' sport")

[LindsayH]

To never tally up monthly skate costs.  Just pay one lesson/session at a time.   

Lol, so true!

Skating has taught me that I don't have to sit on the sidelines and watch others do cool stuff. All it takes is a little bit of courage and I can do it too!

I've learned that stepping outside my comfort zone is really good for me. It makes me feel like I'm really living my life rather than watching it go by.

I've also learned that there are few things more rewarding than setting a goal and working towards it.

[treesprite]

I think the only thing skating has taught me is how to relax and be One with the Universe.

[Doubletoe]

Figure skating lessons applied to:

1.  Investments:  Just look at the annual trend; don't pay attention to the daily fluctuations.  And, of course, past results are no indication of future returns!

2.  Project Management:  Like scratch spins, projects are slow to get going, but the pace always picks up near the end!

3.  Meditation:  Be here now.  Focus on anything other than what you're supposed to, and you will do a face plant!

4.  Gambling:  You have to love the game, not just the winning. . . Because you just don't win often enough to justify the cost of the game!

5.  Competition: You are your own worst enemy and your only real competition.

6.  Bikini shopping:  Ice preserves!  Even on our worst skating days, this sport keeps us bootylicious.

[slcbelle]

That my left glute is weak.  So, I've started physical therapy to fix the imbalance.

[RosiePosie.iskates]

Skating has taught me that life is too short to waste. It's given me a taste of being, "Grown up" and having to work to pay for something that I love to do. It's also shown me that hard work really does pay off, and that exercising really is fun. It has let me know what it feels like to love a sport so much that you would give up some of the everyday things that most kids my age do, just to skate all the time. (Like going to school, or having fancy phones or video games) It has taught me to appreciate life, my family, and even the littlest things a whole lot more. I know that may sound cheesy, but it really has been an incredible journey.

[adragast]

I'm not too old to learn new skills

This is what skating taught me. When I started, I thought I was too old for that and that I would never be able to do anything (except going forward). I was wrong and for once, I am happy I was.

[Janie]

Courage and confidence!
Especially since I moved to the intermediate/advance adult group class. Our class coach likes us to do "show and tell" where each of us takes turns to go out and show off one thing. It was so nerve-racking at first because I felt like nothing I could do was up to par for exhibition, but now I've learnt that you should just exude confidence and things will come together. I've learnt not to be (or try not to be) afraid of trying new things or performing.

[AgnesNitt]

That my left glute is weak.  So, I've started physical therapy to fix the imbalance.

Share your pain,
My right leg is weak. Who knew? But I've doubled the weight I can press, lift, sashay, press, squat, and fling in PT.

[emitche]

Skating has taught me that just because something looks or feels daunting at first doesn't mean I'll never be able to do it. Regular practice and pushing myself can lead to those scary things becoming easy things. Progress is really about dedication and not necessarily talent.

Skating has also helped me be more confident, to love my body and my heart, to love my quirky self.

[ChristyRN]

I'm going to add to mine.

I've learned to respect my body's limitations.  Since I've been diagnosed with Sarcoid, my body has been telling me to take it easy.  It absolutely kills me to be off ice, but my lungs don't tolerate any exertion at all.

[ls99]

Besides the ability to learn to skate, discovered I have a modicum of performing arts skill.