Compartmentalizing movement training can greatly handicap
progress especially in the young skater. Are various
classes taken in the vague hope that "something" might help? Is
physical conditioning viewed as a necessary evil to just "do" and
get over with to achieve an end product? Continuity in
movement training brings organization to the learning process. When
all movement is connected in the mind and body of the skater the
"product", will be a reflection of the continuity of
training. Consistency in performance as well as
confidence in presentation will be achieved more quickly.
That more is not always better:
Endless repetitions of an exercise without precise
concentration on the task at hand or taking into account the age
and condition of the skater are two of the major causes of overuse
injuries. Learning how to focus, feel and accurately
communicate about the entire process of movement training
(involving the whole person) will increase: mental awareness,
physical control, efficiency of movement, and more accurate
repetitions. This in turn produces positive, progressive
change, reduces the risk of injury and creates a true sense of
mastery within the skater.
Intuitive awareness:
How raising intuitive abilities through visualization
techniques and intuitive analysis can improve technical
ability.
To recognize the differences between internal and external
visualization and how to utilize each at appropriate times in
training.
How the interrelationships between anatomy and
physiology play a crucial role in training:
How to assess your personal alignment "map"
Where and when not to stretch
Why sleep is so important both to the creative process as well
as growth and physical healing.
Why certain muscles need more warm-up time than others.
Why deep breathing is so important to emotional as well as
physical health
How posture affects attitude
Body Awareness and the "origins" of
movement:
Every movement has a proper origin within the body. To be
successful each of these origins need to be understood and felt.
For example: From where on your body does "turn-out"
originate? What are the primary muscles used in a jump
take-off and how does that affect the landing? Every
body part affects the whole, and even "isolated" movements require
control in the rest of the body. Proper body alignment and
awareness of these "origins" affects every aspect of one's skating:
jumps; spins; footwork and artistic expression. Applying
these principles consistently will unify and enhance every part of
your skating.
Spatial Awareness:
How balance, centering and moving on different spatial planes
are affected by eye focus and head position. The head, neck and
eyes are often neglected in movement training yet they are crucial
to balance and spatial perception. Building spatial
awareness into movement training through the use of varying eye
foci and head orientation during exercises precludes having to
"re-train" balance problems when later adding choreography.
What to look for in off-ice dance
classes
The quality of classes in any given field will vary from
location to location. Many parents, coaches and skaters
do not know what to expect or look for in dance class
training. Often dance studios, especially in rural
areas, are geared toward recitals (choreographed pieces) and not
toward teaching technical excellence as a methodical process.
Ballet is often reduced to just another "style of dance" and not
taught as the mind-body training method that it truly is.
Understanding the difference between simply learning the outward
appearance of a movement and learning the inner workings of that
same movement on a technical and intuitive level will help to bring
clarity, continuity and focus to any movement or conditioning class
and put it within the grasp of the figure skater's needs.
Who is this book for?
A - Adult figure skaters: To help skaters learn
how proper body alignment, placement and good breathing techniques
should feel within their own bodies and how to take that technique
into any lesson both on and off ice; to help skaters not to simply
copy movement but to create within themselves a conscious awareness
of the importance of moving with intelligence, freedom
and deliberate control from the inside out.the "mind- body"
connection; to stimulate creative thinking and exploration of their
own movement patterns within the context of good skating technique
and artistic expression.
B - Coaches: To help increase awareness as to
how applying the biomechanics of human movement to both artistry
and technique from "the ground up" will benefit every aspect of
their teaching and coaching; to identify what benefits their
skaters should be receiving particularly from their off-ice dance
classes, and to help provide a cohesive learning environment for
their skaters by reinforcing these principals during their on-ice
lessons; to use the technical as well as the creative methods in
this book to help spark the coaches' own creative forces.
C - Dance Instructors: To bring an awareness of
the special needs of figure skaters taking their classes. Edges and
velocity make a difference in body placement and the particular
feel of a movement; to recognize that whether the dance instructor
is teaching at the rink or the dance studio, skaters primarily need
to grasp origins of movement, musicality and the "Whys" of correct
movement technique respecting the differences between the two
forms.
Featuring:
Over 90 precise and clearly explained exercises illustrated
with over 400 color photographs demonstrated by:
Cloe Albiero, former student with the Paris Opera Ballet.
Kimmy Geddie, Director of Dr. Peggy Willis-Aarnio's Conservatory
of Classical Ballet, and Principal Artist with The Willis
Ballet.
Caroline Lee Pak 1988 U.S. Nationals Novice Gold Medallist, figure
skating coach and Pilates instructor.
Beautiful watercolors of elite figure skaters by artist Sarah
S. Brannen
Technical and artistic illustrations by Mary Gainer
Additional professional photography by: Sarah S. Brannen, Kathy
Goedeken, Dina Makarova, and Rhonda Wiles.
Reflective and analytical workbook questions with blank note
pages provided.
Conveniently spiral bound to lay flat for teaching purposes.
$69.95
NEW PRICE: Buy both books together and save $20.00! $99.90 Bundle Offer!
