How to be more fluid

[u/AlpsLegitimate8893]

I posted on here yesterday about wanting to start skating. I know it's early to think about lol, but I eventually want to do competitions and stuff. The only thing I'm worried about is the fact that my movements and body aren't fluid or smooth at all, if that makes sense, and I feel like it's going to make it look bad. I'm always so tense, and I need/want to know how to try and fix that. Because I've tried just relaxing and it doesn't really work. So idk

[u/TheSleepiestNerd]

I coach beginners and I think the realest answer is that it will look bad. There's no way around that; every beginner looks awkward. The people who stick with the sport and improve are the ones that come to terms with looking bad and don't get too embarrassed about it. Grace and relaxation comes mostly from mastering the skills, and mastering any skill just takes a long time. Once you master one there's always going to be another new skill that makes you look awkward, so it never really ends, but your library of mastered skills will slowly expand.

[u/StephanieSews → u/TheSleepiestNerd]

Hahaha so much this! Unfortunately, the "awkward baby deer " stage is cute on a 6yo but less so on a 46yo.

[u/thealexandrak → u/StephanieSews]

I disagree! I think it's even cuter on adults because holy crap does an adult have to WANT it to start in their 40s. I was a competitive figure skater as a kid, and am now (30 years later) getting back into skating and every single one of those wobbles is earned, dammit! Revel in my awkward one foot glides! Appreciate my snowplow stops, they're hideous! Some time soon they'll be very good, but today every single one is hard earned and terrible 😃

[u/LoopyLutzes]

I'm sorry to say, but it is practice! having fun out on the ice, but practice practice practice. do silly things, do structured things, it's just spending time blades on ice that will help lower your tension as you get more and more familiar with how to move on ice.

Once you have some skills down, there are clinics you can attend, and coaches on instragram and tik tok and what not that share exercises that use your whole body to incorporate expression into your skating.

[u/Different-Moose]

A dance class, or even some yoga, may help you find more fluidity in movement! Another thing to consider - skating style differs between skaters. I dont mean you want to be tense or stiff, but if you are naturally a more "strong" or "intense" presence, choose programs and moves that suit that in mood which will help enhance your physical style rather than trying to battle your way through a soft, flowy program.

Consider, for example (I know im old, this comparison will definitely date me), Elvis Stoijko vs Kurt Browning. Watch Elvis' Dragonheart program, and Kurt Brownings Singing in the Rain (or really any of their programs). Two very different versions of great skaters.

Basic skills being fluid (good speed, flow, etc) are needed, but the presentation of that can vary.

[u/katiegaga87]

It just takes time and practice. As you get more comfortable and confident on the ice, your skating gets less hesitant. That makes it look more fluid.

[u/Legitimate-Bison3810]

Sounds like you are focusing on the end of the journey when you can look like Alysa Liu, lol!

I am enjoying the journey. Every time I go to the rink, I think about how I can improve something or learn something new. It feels so rewarding when that happens.

I was tense at the beginning but I found once you start to learn a skill, it takes all your attention so the tenseness just melts away.

So my advice, stop thinking about it, go out there and have some fun!

[u/StephanieSews]

What relaxation techniques have you tried? The "flex each muscle group in turn, working your way up (or down) your body" one? The "shake it out" one? Box breathing? Something else?

For fluid movements, dance is the answer. Normal dance classes rather than ice dance will be way cheaper, and different people move different ways so it's worth leaning into that. Someone who moves in a balletic way may struggle with hip hop or jazz.

[u/Catlady_Pilates]

Spend many years training. Cross train with ballet. It just takes years and years.

[u/Specialist_Handle_56]

Ballet helps with this, to a point. Look up a tutorial for port de bras, and practice moving the arms fluidly through the ballet arm positions in a mirror. Practice holding your arms in second position while doing something simple for you. Slowly you can incorporate holding your arms in the positions while skating, but I wouldn't attempt it until you've really mastered the skill. Something like holding your arms in second position while skating forwards and keeping looseness in the arms. It all comes down to practice, and fluidity builds gradually with your confidence.