Off Ice Programing
In “Fancy Footwork: Two Figure Skating Experts on Injury Prevention,” sports medicine physician Dr. Ellen Geminiani, in response to being asked what needs to change to reduce the number of figure skating injuries, states: “We need to get over the idea that figure skaters have to spend countless hours on the ice at the expense of everything else. Training off the ice helps athletes develop strength and mobility that’s critical to preventing injury. Unfortunately, it’s going to take a culture shift within sports as a whole for many coaches and athletes to embrace this more balanced approach.”
Proper off-ice training is vital to the development of on-ice skills as well as in preserving the longevity of the athlete. Figure skating requires flexibility, muscle strength, balance and coordination, and mobility and range of motion of joints. While these attributes may develop over time with consistency and dedicated training on the ice, incorporating a structured off ice training program into your skating journey will definitively develop each of these elements safely and exponentially.
Combining my knowledge of dance, pilates, yoga, plyometric exercise, strength training, and dynamic movement, my off ice classes will not only advance your on ice abilities, they will increase your overall wellness, health, and proprioceptive awareness.
Ballet For Skaters
Speaking from personal experience, and the proven success of my students, ballet is an essential tool for every skater that will refine performance skills, grace, and upper body control. There are myriad similarities between the two forms of movement, and the most skilled skaters reflect their dance training in their performances on ice.
However, the two techniques can contradict each other in certain areas. My Ballet For Skaters class takes the most effective parts of the ballet technique, and applies them to your skating specific training.
Jump Training for Skaters
Properly developing your advanced skating skills requires repetitive and consistent training, and a lot of coordination. Training jumps and spins off ice will allow you the opportunity to condition proper alignment, timing, and control. By incorporating off ice work into your training plan, you can effectively double your progress by adding additional time and focus to your difficult elements without having to be on the ice.
Flexibility and Stability
The ability to take your joints through full range of motion and being able to control that range of motion will allow a skater perform movements on the ice efficiently and reduce injury potential.
My approach and belief is that overall flexibility is best achieved through dynamic, not static, stretching. My classes will help develop greater flexibility through movement, rather than sitting for long periods in difficult positions.
Off Ice Training on Wheels
Learn how to skate without ice!
After I discovered Pic Skates in 2016, and toured London and Holland for day's skating on them, I began cross training skater's (and non-skater's) as a way to effectively practice elements when ice is scarce or unavailable! It's an incredible new way to approach your training and offers a lot of insight for new ways to move and flow!
Check out this video of my
Fitness For All
You don't have to be a high level figure skater or accomplished dancer to enhance your fitness, flexibility, and strength.
In 2015, I launched a new fitness class in NYC called FigureFIT. The class introduced the same kind of training techniques that world class athletes use to condition jumps to anyone interested in fitness. The class structure was designed to educate and encourage big, explosive, dynamic movement - all without the use of weights or equipment - and produced greater mobility, flexibility, power, and coordination in every client. While many figure skaters frequented classes, it primarily targeted and encouraged non-figure skaters to engage in a new and unique way to train.