I can only see years of ballet training in the world's top ballet companies.
I do see a wonderful figure skater in Mao and much skating training but not that much ballet training However there is some ballet-like arms.
Joe
Based on Mao' performance at Skate America, do you see years of ballet training showing up in her skating? If so, what specifically?
I certainly cannot see YEARS of ballet training, because there was no such thing.
Mao did some ballet training as a very young child - there was a video somwhere of her dancing the solo from Coppelia - but she gave up ballet when she switched to figure skating. I think she was about 5-6 years old back then.
She strated to practice modern ballet in July this year (in Obersdorf, Germany) and classical ballet in August (in Russia, when she trained with Tarasova there). Tarasova picked an elite ballet instructor for Mao and she also took her once a week to watch ballet performances together.
I think we need to wait a little while to see the result of the training - you don't become a ballerina in a month. Right now Mao is at the stage of learning basics and trying to learn the techniques quickly. As her ballet instructor said: "First you need to master the technique. Then the freedom of expression comes naturally". (More or less. My Russian is bad. )
But certainly I could see a lot of improvement since last season. Better posture, great arms, effortless yet elegant flexibility, a lot of balletic positions through her footwork and transitions, better leg turnout, much more dynamic skating, much better expression. Right now it is especially visible in practices and shows, because at Skate Canada she seemed too nervous to skate at her full potential (the exhibition was great, though).
There are some fluffs on YT showing Mao during her ballet training - they show how she really started from the basics. There was a rather cute moment where her instructor pulled on her ponytail to guide her heat into a proper position.
That doesn't make sense. She quit ballet at 5 or 6 and then was taking it for about a month or so? Then how come that fluff video on youtube showed her doing piroettes on point? That is definitely not beginner stuff!
BTW, does Yu Na do ballet, too? Do you think it shows?
I can only see years of ballet training in the world's top ballet companies.
I do see a wonderful figure skater in Mao and much skating training but not that much ballet training However there is some ballet-like arms.
Joe
Now tell me,since we both took ballet classes and figure skating lessons. I can't believe you don't see the difference. Most of the post that I read, I would say they have only seen photographs of ballerinas and not the real thing on stage.I can see years of ballet training in my peer students in my ballet classes that I have been attending for years. When I skated before, I also saw years of ballet training in my peer figure skaters who practiced ballet. People don't have to be appointed with the World's top ballet companites to be noticed what they are decently trained for years. I certainly won't downplay the hard dance training that the top skaters do off ice.
1. Why is it so important that all ladies MUST skate as you perceive like Ballerinas?
2. Is it not possible to skate like a champion without being ballet-like?
3. Just thought of it. Has ballet ever taken from figure skating?
Joe
Now tell me,since we both took ballet classes and figure skating lessons. I can't believe you don't see the difference. Most of the post that I read, I would say they have only seen photographs of ballerinas and not the real thing on stage.
At least go to a ballet class and see the work that is put into the ballet art form.
One big big big difference is the ballet slipper v. the skating blade. One can not manipulate the foot on skates as one can in slippers.
I have yet to see a Russian lady look like a ballerina on skates. I have seen some Russian ladies give the impression of ballet in Pairs. Bereshnaya for example. Now tell me that the one Russian skater Irina skated like a ballerina and that ALL Russian ladies skated like ballerinas?
Two Questions to all:
1. Why is it so important that all ladies MUST skate as you perceive like Ballerinas?
2. Is it not possible to skate like a champion without being ballet-like?
3. Just thought of it. Has ballet ever taken from figure skating?
Joe
Based on Mao' performance at Skate America, do you see years of ballet training showing up in her skating? If so, what specifically?
Now tell me,since we both took ballet classes and figure skating lessons. I can't believe you don't see the difference. Most of the post that I read, I would say they have only seen photographs of ballerinas and not the real thing on stage.
At least go to a ballet class and see the work that is put into the ballet art form.
One big big big difference is the ballet slipper v. the skating blade. One can not manipulate the foot on skates as one can in slippers.
I have yet to see a Russian lady look like a ballerina on skates. I have seen some Russian ladies give the impression of ballet in Pairs. Bereshnaya for example. Now tell me that the one Russian skater Irina skated like a ballerina and that ALL Russian ladies skated like ballerinas?
Two Questions to all:
1. Why is it so important that all ladies MUST skate as you perceive like Ballerinas?
2. Is it not possible to skate like a champion without being ballet-like?
Joe
BTW, does Yu Na do ballet, too? Do you think it shows?