Last Chance to Practice

On Monday I had my last practice before my skills test. I ran through all the patterns and they are mostly fine. My coach didn't even really have too much feedback. Maybe she just doesn't want me to overthink it. She does want me to lift and extend more in the two arabesques that come at the end of the 3-turns pattern. For three months I have been practicing this sequence and she never mentioned anything about the stupid arabesques! Now I'm worried about my arabesques and spirals instead of sloppy three-turns and following the timing of the music. Ha.

Other than that I did the usual 25 minutes of freeskating practice that I get on Mondays. I worked on some of the stuff that we usually do in the group lessons like 2-foot turns, power pulls, etc. Also I practiced some spins and had some luck with camels when I really paid attention to thinking about leaning to the left. Lately I am having a terrible time with back-sits, not sure what's up with that. Just the same balance problem I'm having with my upright backspin I guess. Oh and I practiced spirals and leg pulls!

Something cool that I have learned at physiotherapy is a balancing exercise that should help with my spins and glides. My physiotherapist got me standing on a Bosu with the flat side up, first on two feet; then on one foot holding on to a support; then not holding on; then adding a one-leg squat; then doing a one-foot squat and throwing a small ball at the wall and catching it. This progression took place over about two weeks. The first time I got on the Bosu it would wobble back and forth like crazy! This morning I got up to the part where I throw and catch the ball and it's fun. I can use the Bosu like this to practice my position changes in spins. If I feel it wobbling, I know that I would have travel in my spin at that point. Kinda cool!

Tomorrow is my test. Apparently I can come a bit early and get a little bit warmed up but not too much. Nobody will make a big deal about it but me so it's just up to me to stay calm.