Peachstateskater - I think we are basically in agreement. Figure Skating and Dance are not exactly apples and oranges but maybe oranges and grapefruit.
It's just that I get somewhat worked up when some poster will say, so and so is so balletic. A skater can never be balletic because skates do not have an instep nor would a skater get very far if he skated in turned out positions, but Skaters can have a balletic line, yes! The 'glissade' is not the same as crossovers. A skater can never do an I or Y position without the aid of their hands and the resulting struggle to reach the top of those moves. So and So to me, is acrobatic and that's ok to be acrobatic but it is not ballet. Skating to me is a sport and whatever gets a medal is what a skater must do. So the Is and Ys are ok for the sport.
When I go to the ballet, which is often, I want to see good ballet moves in the ballet manner. When I watch as much figure skating as I can, I want to see genuine figure skating moves in the best esthetic manner (i.e., without struggle - just flow).
Just my taste and I would not impose it on another.
Btw, if you are still skating, all the best to you in your goals.
Cheers - Joe
