The essences of figure skating?

[Iceskating]

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!

[riley876]

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.

[alejeather]

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.

[icedancer]

It's all about the edge. And the glide (or flow) -

[Doubletoe]

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).

[riley876]

Ah, If you're going to reduce it down to the absolute essentials,  may I suggest:

"Push, retract, repeat...".

[Bill_S]

Figure skating is the art of keeping the steel side down, and the flesh side up.

[ChristyRN]

Figure skating is the art of keeping the steel side down, and the flesh side up.

I want to like this a thousand times!

[Neverdull44]

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.

[ls99]

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.

[Doubletoe]

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.

[Query]

Fun.

[holdontilmae]

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.

[jbruced]

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.

[Neverdull44]

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.   

[trixietoes]

 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.

[Doubletoe]

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."

[sampaguita]

"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!

[jbruced]

"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.

[jbruced]

I think the essence of skating is exquisite dynamic balance.

[AgnesNitt]

The essence of skating is gliding and silence.

[tstop4me]

THE essence of figure skating is Dorothy Hamill. 

[riley876]

It's a love affair.

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

[trixietoes]

tstop4me   :

You speak the truth.

[Doubletoe]

Doubletoe thank you for this; very helpful to me.

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