10 THINGS I WISH I KNEW BEFORE I STARTED MY FIGURE SKATING JOURNEY ⛸️

[@emiwiaffxiv776]

I don't want to be that girl, but when your coach says do off ice, do off ice, that's how you get your jumps faster

[@cathydingg]

Yesss off-ice is definitely underrated and just as important as on ice training!

[@Yurito12]

I heard a friend say that they started imitating Mao Asada axel and it helped them jump their axel, oh and while I practiced a off ice flip, it really made me understand why some people turn before they jump on their lutz and flip.

[@cathydingg]

Japanese ladies know what they are doing on the axel for sure!

[@valenlevalenle6394]

This!!! Currently learning a flip and I’m jumping and turning at the same time and that’s why I can’t get it! It feels so weird to turn first but it actually does work and help to get a flip jump!

[@Yurito12]

@@valenlevalenle6394 You need to really know how to use your lower body/legs and the toe pick in order to lift off the pick when you jump, I recorded myself and simple tapping + reaching far back and having a slight knee bend helped me tap and immediately lift into the air, im currently struggling on wrapping my legs tight correctly, OH and i jumped an axel it was scary but easy i just went for it with a higher kick through and bam, sadly I tried to do it again and i havnt been able to do it again *sad*

[@Google-U]

Isn't that friend of yours Yuzuru Hanyu? He said in an interview that he too imitated Mao's 3A. lol

[@Yurito12]

@Google-U I seen a interview of rika kahira also say she looks and mao for inspo, I guess alot of people do this of replicating their favs technique

[@johntousseau9380]

11: nothing will be more humbling than the video camera. I can't tell you how many times I've thought I was doing something awesome, recorded it, then went "oh... that looks like shit." Or thought my sit spin was so low, but on camera I'm like hunched over with my skating leg slightly bent lol. But it is a great teaching tool as it lets you see yourself. Because of that and my coach's help my sit spins are actually low and I can do some variations. I have to do the same for my camel spins now. That spin also lies to you and will make you feel like you're rotating level when you aren't.

[@cathydingg]

Oh my god I feel you spiritually on the camel-I swear to god because it's so slow, I think I counted 4 revs when it's actually only 2

[@caseysegel1042]

I’m trying to reframe falling for me. I suffered a head injury falling on a toe loop, so now I wear a helmet when training jumps and am working through my fear of falling again!

[@user-kh9ki3kq8m]

i switched to skating from gymnastics so i got my off ice axel within like a week and started trying to chuck doubles and finally i was like “ok this isn’t right lol” and it took me like a full 1.5 years of going back to single axels to fix my technique but i’m SOOO grateful i did

[@cathydingg]

That's still so impressive! Gymnastics definitely sounds like such an insane and impressive feat- glad you were able to find the right technique!

[@queen_of_ravens]

I learned my toe loop incorrectly. 😭 Took years of work fixing it. I'd definitely advise aways prioritise correct technique over just throwing yourself into jumps. You'll thank yourself later.

[@darielg8231]

I landed my axel after one year, and I lost it; it’s about 2 months now and I’m still working to get it back. I happened to work with another coach and a fell so hard, that I think that’s why I lost it. Also agree with everything you said, spins are very important (back scratch) *** Great video!

[@cathydingg]

Thank you for watching! Ah yes consistency in the axel is the bane of everyone's existence but congrats on having landed your axel! That's a huge accomplishment in itself!

[@LemonLutz]

Sorry that happened to you

[@eljj7968]

These are all good points! I think another thing to point out about spinning is that unless you have triple jumps (which obviously most skaters do not), spins are worth a lot more in competition so are worth spending the time on - like a basic combo spin is going to get you more points than an axel. And certainly if you just have a couple of single jumps, spins are worth a lot more. And thank you for the axel point! It takes most people YEARS! Important to remember that all these 'I got my axel in x months' videos are not realistic for the vast majority.

[@cathydingg]

Amen- definitely agree to all of the above! Thank you for sharing (:

[@queen_of_ravens]

Tell me about it 😂 my progress at first felt "meteoric", I learned waltz jump through to loop without even ever falling. Fast forward... 10 years on there is still no axel, and I am in my mid 40s and starting to be a real chicken about it. Good point about the spins. I neglect my spins something tragic, because at the end of the day I skate for fun, and jumps are fun.

[@Google-U]

I saw Sotnikova's back in the thumbnail and I was nervous because I thought it was another video criticizing her, lol. Awesome! I admire you for practicing skating while working! It took Mao Asada almost 10 years to fix her Lutz, but she overcame it. But I don't think many people can do what she did.

[@cyberqueen7784]

Wow, I am so glad I found your channel! You brought up some good points. I have to keep telling myself, the only one I'm truly competing against is myself. I wish I wasn't afraid of falling despite the fact I wear butt pads and knee pads during practice. My 2 foot spins have recently improved a lot, but I wish I could build more power into having more revolutions during spinning. I'm also an adult skater that's about the same age, and I just came back from a 4 year hiatus due to the pandemic at the start of this year. It's been 4 months, and I'm so glad I'm working on waltz jumps and 2 foot spins, which was where I left off before the pandemic hit. I guess my previous skating background has helped me progress faster than expected. I started to learn skating when I was 13, took a break due to high school, and started skating again in college (though I had too big skates, which made spins and jumps so much harder and my balance completely off). I intended to continue learning skating after college graduation, but the pandemic forced me to withdraw up until this year.

[@ivyofskies9797]

Loved this video as I just started my adult figure skating journey and your tokyo vlog as I am going there in April. Can't wait for more skating content, I would love some more vlogs and practice content.

[@cathydingg]

Sounds great! Thank you for the input and definitely more of that to come soon! And ahh Japan is such an amazing time so that's so exciting! Not sure if you are planning on hitting some other cities in Japan but I may post something on Kyoto, Osaka and Mt. Fuji soon! Hope trip planning has been going well!

[@gosiakwiatek6830]

Thank you for this video. So comforting especially the part about Axel. I have been practicing it for over 2 years now and only managed to get it off ice. Anyway thank for sharing this really helpful 😊

[@Myrtw_]

Hello from Greece! i just figured out that i have been doing a flutz all this time and i have to get used to a lutz🤣🤣. last week i fell on my knee and nearly broke it because i forgot to take my guards off. that reminded me that i think it would be great if you could do the " we're figure skaters.." trend. thank you this was very entertaining!!!!!!!!!!!

[@cathydingg]

Haha for sure! That trend is so funny and I love it- if I do it - I’ll probably do it on my Instagram!! (:

[@ntinagon.5742]

Hello from Greece!! Can I ask you some things about ice skating?

[@splatlord]

i've been subscribed to your channel for a while--first off, seeing your progress has been really cool as someone around the same age (but started later haha) also struggling with a busy full time job! i rewatched this video on a whim and honestly really needed to hear a lot of this as someone dealing with a huge backslide in progress currently after a hiatus due to life situations. funnily enough the thing that's causing me the most frustration/rage is the fact that i somehow completely lost the ability to do even a basic one foot spin so...yknow. spins. thank you for all the great videos and looking forward to your future content!

[@cathydingg]

I feel you so hard- spinning is not fun but I have faith that you will get it back soon! I promise it won’t be as hard as the first time and things/life happen so all will be ok!

[@frozenhoneyy]

Can you do an off ice routine video?

[@Rosiefiguresitout]

I love your skating content and am looking forward to more!

[@cathydingg]

Thank you love! Let me know if there's anything particular that you would love to see!

[@elenaspano5067]

Hi Cathy. Loved the video! I love all of your figure skating content as a fellow adult figure skater. Would you be able to vlog a week in the life of an adult skater? Like showing practices, off-ice, if you do anything skating-related in the gym, rehab etc. Looking forward to the skating content! Also can I ask you what you graduated in? I wanted to go into management or marketing consultancy after I graduate from my Comm. Science bachelors so I'm wondering what your academic background is.

[@cathydingg]

Hi Elena! Yes of course- that's a great idea and look forward to making a week in a life video. I graduated with an undergraduate business degree from Upenn! So technically that took form in a B.S. in Economics with Concentrations in Management, Marketing and Operations. Every school is a bit different but we had "concentrations" so it's almost like a "focus" or "specialization." Let me know if that helps and if you have any other questions! I also have a "Day in the Life of a NYC consultant" video on my channel if you want a rough idea of what a career in consulting may look like!

[@Rayfooproductions]

14:30 I love this

[@LiveOutLoud87]

So thankful I found you!

[@cathydingg]

Thank you for watching and supporting the channel ❤️🫶🏼

[@CXLL31GH]

Hey Cathy can you make a video on the different levels of beginner skating

[@hoiyauchan1815]

How do you get into competitive figure skating?

[@skydiamondtack]

Is there a way to know if a technique is good or if a coach will be a good fit for you? I am starting in a group lesson for a few weeks before I move into privet lessons, and I want to know if there are somethings to keep in mind or look for when finding a coach. (I am 17 so I am starting later in life) :)

[@cathydingg]

Hi there! Great question! I'm releasing a skating Q&A video this Saturday that has the full answer to that question so stay tuned and hope that becomes helpful!

[@swaye9169]

Hi Cathy, what skates do you use? What kind did you start with and when did you upgrade?

[@CaraMarie13]

Am trying to get more flexible. Do you do yoga or just do stretching exercises?

[@cathydingg]

Hi! When I started off I mostly did stretching exercises- a lot of videos that focused on hamstring, hip, shoulder and back flexibility which are some of the key important areas for skating flexibility. I now also do Yoga sometimes on my recovery day just to help with active recovery and pain/soreness management! Both has helped with my flexibility a lot and would highly recommend it!

[@osoreo3697]

Hi! How old did you start? I’m 22 and starting next year…

[@cathydingg]

I started about the same age! I believe I was 20 when I started! (:

[@tilliemay22]

Hi! I have a lot of struggling getting the groove of actually gliding on the ice do you have any tips?

[@cathydingg]

Hi! Thanks for your comment- I would say something helpful for me at the very beginning when I was learning was to push yourself away from the boards (if gliding backwards) or try to use the side of the boards to get speed and then let go and try to balance. I think in the beginning when you are not as used to pushing with your blades properly, it’s hard to get speed and without speed it’s super hard to glide without falling so don’t be afraid of speed, leveraging the boards when are you starting to get the feeling of gliding with speed can be helpful! Hope that helped!

[@tilliemay22]

@@cathydingg ohh okay thank you so much 💜

[@frednamit6597]

A pro figure skater who curses.....fucking badass

[@2im36]

Pls the yuna and sotnikova thumbnail 😭😭😭

[@2im36]

Actually that might not be yuna but it looks like her danse macabre outfit

[@cathydingg]

@@2im36 nope you are right! It’s definitely Yuna hahaha

[@strawberrylime33]

I was under the impression that learning the proper edge on lutz and flip is unnecessary; it's more important to be well liked by the judges who can ignore your wrong edge?

[@cathydingg]

Hi there! Ah that is definitely not true even though it may seem like that some way. It depends on what judging system your event runs on. For example, some events are in a judging system called IJS which is what my event operates under and there is a technical panel that will call the wrong edge and you will get a deduction. However, the old 6.0 system which some events still run on today is more subjective and judges your skating more holistically. Needless to say, if can learn something the right way, I'll always try to strive to do it right! Hope that helps!

[@user-kh9ki3kq8m]

you probably heard this in the context that some skaters have notoriously bad flutzes and don’t always get called on it (evgenia medvedeva lol) but also some skaters become known for their “bad” skating skills and then get criticized for jumps that weren’t really that bad (like alina zagitovas lutz imo)

[@2im36]

I think that’s sarcasm, probably shade to skaters who do get it ignored, not actual advice for people to follow. Generally unless you have ties w judges (which you shouldn’t) then yes edges are very important