Things to make me go hmm...

Ever since April this year I´ve been trying to do a twist on one foot (with skate of
course), didn´t yet pull it off. Sometimes I try and do not get very much further than 2 steps before having to lower my other leg to get my balance back or to prevent me from falling. Then I leave it alone and try again a week or 2 weeks later. Yesterday I found out I haven´t been practising this step for quite some time now, so I tried it again. Suddenly it worked, not yet subtle and completely under control but it just worked. Fairly surprised I kept practising this for over 15 minutes which is a strain on your legmuscles (especially the calf and the upperthigh, because they were getting pretty hot).
And today the muscles on both my shin-bones hurt...
Things that make me go hmm...

Body; The entire material or physical structure of an organism, especially of a human or animal.

Physics; The science of nature, or of natural objects; that branch of science which treats of the laws and properties of matter, and the forces acting upon it; especially, that department of natural science which treats of the causes (as gravitation, heat, light, magnetism, electricity, etc.) that modify the general properties of bodies.

( definitions: http://dictionary.reference.com )

A smile on my face

I suddenly remember a lot of other things. Last Satuday we had our second Masterclass of the new season. Learned some new steps and jammed them together so we had a little routine. One of the steps looked quite difficult. Allready tried it the week before and it didn't work because I didn't really know how to do it. Saw it and tried to copy, too difficult, move on, maybe next time.
So last saturday this kicking-kinda-step was one of the new moves we learned. But now I had the opportunity to look at it real up close. We also got an explanation on how the step worked, which way to turn and on which wheels to balance. Still looked difficult and after trying the first time I fell. It's just a slight movement of balance to make it work, but you have to feel it first. Since I now know how little the details can be and how to control them within about 5 minutes I got it. Still have to practice to make it work 10 times out of 10 :-) The funny part was that everybody complained and sighed about this new step, but it was clear we had practised a lot this last summer, because within 5 minutes almost everybody got it.
"Oh no that's too difficult, it's much too complicated. Nag, nag, nag before even trying, you bunch of whiners!!! Now you see, no need to sigh and complain, u'r all doing just great!" And that was the compliment from our teacher which made us all smile. Next to being kinda surprised in realising that sometimes things can look more difficult than they are instead of the other way around.

Masterclasses are the more intense and harder training classes, it varies in content but it's always hard work. I remember the first weeks of following Masterclasses, within 1 hour I was allready worn out and sometimes I had the urge stop earlier than class ended (which takes 2 hours with a 5 or 10 minute break).
Not anymore, time flies, could add another hour.

The first 45 minutes of the Calypso lessons are warming up the muscles. First months I did those lessons I was totally concentrated on the teachers and myself to get these basic exercises done. Last thursday I was doing these basic steps, while looking around, chatting away to my skatin' neighbour who was pouring sweat. Hahahaha. All she could utter was pffff, ooohh,, ouch...sigh and breath heavily. I on the other hand was just groovin' away, singing along with the funky tunes, clapping my hands and shout out to my neighbour, whilst squeezing in a pirouette-turn which doesn't belong there because it's a beginnersclass: "Don't give up, hang in there, it will get better."

I smile cause I'm happy I can look back and see what I've accomplished.

Past the very basics

Have to get used to a different rhythm. Change of activities means composing a different kind of schedule without losing the same physical power I put into it. Been real sick so first of all I needed some time to get my act together to work out again. Luckily I was more fit than I thought I was.

I can set new goals since I'm on a different level now. Besides regular training (gotta keep working on all basics because these are essential) I can try to focus on some other things too. Of course there is still so much more to learn about basics and essentials, cause I'm not done yet, but they will come gradually as I move on.
Now I can dug in a little bit deeper to see what else is going on. Like last sunday; went to a class for beginners and first thing I noticed when doing the exercises was that I wasn't paying attention to my skates at all because they were moving without a shadow of a doubt. I was much more concentrated on my posture. Stand up straight, make my moves more sturdy, finding a way to make it look smooth without making it harder for myself in a technical way.
Technique is another thing I'm more aware of now. You need to know the works of the body to sense what it can and can't do. And how to go about it if you still want to master a move when your body thinks it's impossible . No frustration but working the brain & body ability for a solution.

In bed I close my eyes and repeat all the moves, syncs and exercises we got to take home for learning. I repeat them over and over again in my head. To contemplate can create just as much than the actual doing so (but not waste time on just contemplating cause THAT won't get you anywhere hahaha).

Thursdays in Calypso, every other saturday the Masterclass and every other sunday the beginnerlessons to keep the basics on repeat. Tuesday or/and wednesday at home (weather has gone sour by now). See if I can squeeze in some more because I would love to keep up the 5-days in a row.

To conclude this update; ready to keep the groove on, I'm up for it with some whole new insights.

Rousing Retrospect

Caught a cold om my chest yesterday and my lungs are killing me but couldn't resist!!! Just got home from the first indoor lesson in Calypso of the new season. My GOD it felt soooo good!!! Only the lessons from 7.30 pm till 9.00 pm and then went straight home to do the wise thing.

It's 1 year later since I had my first lesson in that very same venue. Not being able to do anything then stand there totally out of control and with no balance at all. 1 year later since I worked on my stamina, my endurance, my trainingsessions and -lessons, my discipline and my moves. Did it pay off?? OH YEAH!

A lot of people started today as beginners and I saw them stumble without control and no balance. Could not believe I stood there the same way as they did tonight. Sue Ann, Liza and I (they also started a year ago and are now just like me a few of the hardcore rollerjammers) were secretly gleaming with pride. We were lookin at each other smiling, remembering exactly the same thing of us standing there as beginners. It must have been a joy for Brian and Lourens, skate-ambassadors of Quadsk8, to look at us and see that their hard work of teaching and guidance payed off as well for them too. It's the gift of teaching.
It was the bomb!! The best part was that lots of people came over to ask how long ago I started this jammin', how fast they would be able to learn it and to tell how very, very, very exited they got seeing us doin' our thing. Getting even more determined to come to the lesson every week and to learn just like us. Some of them I allready met at the summerseason and when people ask me about skating I just jabber on and on and on. And apparently I do not hold back any emotions when it comes to skating because everybody tells me they can read in my bodylanguage and the way I talk that I looooove what I do. My Mojo..

Gotta get into my bed now, cause I do have to get enough sleep. Everybody else if probably enjoying the rollerdisco now (as always after the lessons). I'm kinda cranky 'bout the fact I couldn't stay longer but I really don't feel that well and don't wanna to make things worse because the day after tomorrow: First Masterclass again for this year!!

It's been an invigorating and energetic year for me with exhilarating and intense experiences. I'm up for it, ready for a new year with lots and lots to learn for me, and to get others inspired.