Yulia Lipnitskaya | Page 550 | Golden Skate

Yulia Lipnitskaya

GS article: Russia’s Pogorilaya dominates ladies in Moscow

Numb always sounds bad, I hope that it's only a pinched nerve or something.

Yulia was the victim of child abuse I guess

Yulia typically does well with short program. Numbness is nothing new, it is part of a pattern of problems that surface in the free skate. Remember the nightmare with the free skate during the R&J season. She already had issues in dealing with press and invasion of her privacy, also with letting people down. Then she couldn't skate to Ilya's music, she and Eteri tried their own music for their program rejected by the fed, she settled for R&J under a deadline. In the meantime Megapolis went smoothly. Then Ilya gave his famous interviews. Eteri didn't know how to help her (she called Eteri's group as a "very cruel world"). She expected to do well with Zueva (she said their plans were grandiose). All this time there were problems with weight and diet. Shortly after Skate America she gave up on Eteri and went to Alexei, an environment so pleasant she thought they might be trying to fool her. The point is that there is a huge amount of bad experience, nearly all involving free skate. And now her difficulties are with performing the free skate, including numbness. She apparently has no numbness at other times, she cooks and rides horses just fine. Numbness is a common symptom of extreme stress. It will go away if she finds a way to deal with the underlying stress. Much has been written about why stress and numbness are related, here is a good explanation http://www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety-symptoms/numbness.shtml . Even cramps can be traced to stress. If she deals with her underlying stress constructively, it is just a matter of time before she "eradicates" it. That includes skating when things aren't going well (yesterday they knew she was having problems during warm up) and completing skates. Her progress is ample evidence that they is on the right track. She didn't back down even in public. Her moist eyes were surely a product of mixed emotions as she listened to the cheers and applause.
 
@sijd
But it could also be something physical, those kind of things are often hard to diagnose. And Julia kind of stopped during a spin. A friend of mine, an ambitious rock climber suddenly experienced numbness in his arms during climbing. At first all doctors were sure that he faced a psychological problem and that was true in a way because he was naturally afraid that it would happen again. But then the same thing happended while he was swimming in the pool and the doctors told him that this was also psychological. But then it happended during cross country skiing and then he finally decided that he didn't believe that he really had psychological issues so he got himself properly checked - head, neck and back. He was afraid of having a brain tumor, but in the end it was "only" a nerve that got irritated due to a false posture he apparently held too long while climbing, swimming and cross-country skiing. His neck muscles were poorly developed. He's doing fine now, his physiotherapist has become his best friend.
My point is - it could be a combination of things, stress can trigger certain things and there could be a physical weakness.
 
Yulia typically does well with short program. Numbness is nothing new, it is part of a pattern of problems that surface in the free skate. Remember the nightmare with the free skate during the R&J season. She already had issues in dealing with press and invasion of her privacy, also with letting people down. Then she couldn't skate to Ilya's music, she and Eteri tried their own music for their program rejected by the fed, she settled for R&J under a deadline. In the meantime Megapolis went smoothly. Then Ilya gave his famous interviews. Eteri didn't know how to help her (she called Eteri's group as a "very cruel world"). She expected to do well with Zueva (she said their plans were grandiose). All this time there were problems with weight and diet. Shortly after Skate America she gave up on Eteri and went to Alexei, an environment so pleasant she thought they might be trying to fool her. The point is that there is a huge amount of bad experience, nearly all involving free skate. And now her difficulties are with performing the free skate, including numbness. She apparently has no numbness at other times, she cooks and rides horses just fine. Numbness is a common symptom of extreme stress. It will go away if she finds a way to deal with the underlying stress. Much has been written about why stress and numbness are related, here is a good explanation http://www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety-symptoms/numbness.shtml . Even cramps can be traced to stress. If she deals with her underlying stress constructively, it is just a matter of time before she "eradicates" it. That includes skating when things aren't going well (yesterday they knew she was having problems during warm up) and completing skates. Her progress is ample evidence that they is on the right track. She didn't back down even in public. Her moist eyes were surely a product of mixed emotions as she listened to the cheers and applause.


Well sometimes can psychical stress turn into physical issues (psychosomatic illnesses) like extreme sweating, nausea, diziness , sudden pain ..... This could be also the reason. Day before she was looking very relaxed during her SP.

But did something happened during the warm up just befor her FS? There have been reports that she fall on her jump ? But truly I hope it is not psychological block and it was really something to do with the injury she had or that it was just pinched nerv.
 
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@sijd
But it could also be something physical, those kind of things are often hard to diagnose. And Julia kind of stopped during a spin. A friend of mine, an ambitious rock climber suddenly experienced numbness in his arms during climbing. At first all doctors were sure that he faced a psychological problem and that was true in a way because he was naturally afraid that it would happen again. But then the same thing happended while he was swimming in the pool and the doctors told him that this was also psychological. But then it happended during cross country skiing and then he finally decided that he didn't believe that he really had psychological issues so he got himself properly checked - head, neck and back. He was afraid of having a brain tumor, but in the end it was "only" a nerve that got irritated due to a false posture he apparently held too long while climbing, swimming and cross-country skiing. His neck muscles were poorly developed. He's doing fine now, his physiotherapist has become his best friend.
My point is - it could be a combination of things, stress can trigger certain things and there could be a physical weakness.

I too had doubts about stress until her recent interviews, and am always open to new information that would indicate something else. Your friend had the problem in more than one setting, and there was only a natural fear (his fear was not augmented by negative experience that threatened his future). If she felt numbness during short program, riding horseback, in the gym, or anywhere other than during the free skate, then I would suspect a physical condition. Plus she has so much baggage from her awful experiences with free skate. Previously she didn't know why she had trouble, now she is convinced that it is stress, and she is clearly improving. I have to remind myself that she started skating at age 4, went to Moscow without clear prospects at age 10, and was the hero of her country at age 16. This is her identity. Her challenge is complex and deep. Fortunately for her Alexei is exceptionally capable (Yulia's word is reliable). I have confidence that he will steer her through this to the best outcome.
 
Well sometimes can psychical stress turn into physical issues (psychosomatic illnesses) like extreme sweating, nausea, diziness , suden pain ..... This could be also the reason. Day before she was looking very relaxed during her SP.

But did something happened during the warm up just befor her FS? There have been reports that she fall on her jump ? But truly I hope it is not psychological block and it was really something to do with the injury she had or that it was just pinched nerv.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOK-CYFyLNw This video is from her warm up just before the free skate yesterday. Her movement is very labored, she isn't attempting elements. Alexei is giving her a knee massage, which she has told us is their method to overcome numbness in legs. This was maybe 20 minutes before her free skate (she skated 4th in that group). I think we can assume a lot went on between her and Alexei in that 20 minutes. As I said above, I think they devised a plan if the FS didn't go well based on her symptoms in the warm up, and we saw that plan go into action when she failed during the FS. Everything I have just said is from connecting dots after watching the videos. For example, notice the expression on her face as she goes to Alexei after stopping from pain, 6:32 to 6:36 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js1wJ1iy9Jg

We are told she fell when practicing for the free skate six weeks ago in Bratislava. The facts haven't yet come out on that, we don't know any details, just rumors, but the injury was enough to force withdrawal from Skate America. "How many winters?"
 
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOK-CYFyLNw This video is from her warm up just before the free skate yesterday. Her movement is very labored, she isn't attempting elements. Alexei is giving her a knee massage, which she has told us is their method to overcome numbness in legs. This was maybe 20 minutes before her free skate (she skated 4th in that group). I think we can assume a lot went on between her and Alexei in that 20 minutes. As I said above, I think they devised a plan if the FS didn't go well based on her symptoms in the warm up, and we saw that plan go into action when she failed during the FS. Everything I have just said is from connecting dots after watching the videos. For example, notice the expression on her face as she goes to Alexei after stopping from pain, 6:32 to 6:36 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js1wJ1iy9Jg

We are told she fell when practicing for the free skate six weeks ago in Bratislava. The facts haven't yet come out on that, we don't know any details, just rumors, but the injury was enough to force withdrawal from Skate America. "How many winters?"


Ah ok so it was fall before SA and not in this warm up. It's sad but you might be right. I see on her face not physical knee pain but more like psychological pain .

Btw anybody knows who are those 3 guys sitting in the audience ? Somebody from the skating federation ? They are in this video at 5:19 http://youtu.be/Js1wJ1iy9Jg
 
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as I know as, this thread is for supporting her.. I have lurkered this thread, but feel heartbroken to write first post in this time.. my fav skaters are all prone to injury....T.T
julia is my favorite lady skater and really hope her injury is not serious.. and want to see her programs again. her persence on ice is special and unipue although being less competitive.. good rest and come back!
 
Ah ok so it was fall before SA and not in this warm up. It's sad but you might be right. I see on her face not physical knee pain but more like psychological pain .

Btw anybody knows who are those 3 guys sitting in the audience ? Somebody from the skating federation ? They are in this video at 5:19 http://youtu.be/Js1wJ1iy9Jg

Yes.I don't know their names. But I know therir names from left to right: Irina Rodnina, I don't know who is he, Igor Bobrin,and her wife Natalia Bestsemianova
 
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Oh dear.. no this thread really does not need such kind of comment. Idc if anyone decided Yulia isn't worth their time and attention anymore but the last place they should take to announce that is over here. Really, how is it not common sense??

Gosh it was starting off so well she was looking great even besp uncle was excited.. then they both realized when it started going downhill (their 'oh no...' we can all relate). He said it's an instinct and really, who are we to blame her. No matter how much you must've disagreed with the decision. Yes she's aware of the pain, yes maybe she felt like she couldn't continue, but, it's in her that she didn't wanna leave it just like that. I think in the moment we all were flabbergasted (like besp fellas) but then again, decision was made.
I also wish that people wouldn't judge/point blame so quick.. situation like this, with the quick decision making is just not ideal. It kinda reminds me of CoC 2014 with Yuzu (a moment I wish I could erase for the scary image I witnessed).

Anyway it's so heartbreaking and upsetting.. why does it have to be her. Not that I wish it to happen to anyone else.. but just, she's been through so much she's only 18 I feel for her. :cry:
I just hope it won't exacerbate her injury and hope it can heal just fine because from the little we've seen, she was on her way to a solid performance. I pray for her health and hope she's dealing with it fine and has all the supports she needs.

Also, I hope we'll still get the chance to see her free a few more time.

:ghug:
 
I've read at one of the forums that Yulia has liked many Instagram posts supporting her. I think this means that she knows and feels all the love and support that we try to send her. Get well soon, our dear Yulechka! :love: :ghug:
 
I've read at one of the forums that Yulia has liked many Instagram posts supporting her. I think this means that she knows and feels all the love and support that we try to send her. Get well soon, our dear Yulechka! :love: :ghug:

Unfortunately she has received a lot of it since Sochi and it didn't help her. Sometimes I wonder if it actually contributes to her troubles. As long as she remained ignorant of the public in the pre-Sochi era her star was on the rise. Since then she realized she is being watched and just can't find a way to get to grips with it. :ohwell:
 
Unfortunately she has received a lot of it since Sochi and it didn't help her. Sometimes I wonder if it actually contributes to her troubles. As long as she remained ignorant of the public in the pre-Sochi era her star was on the rise. Since then she realized she is being watched and just can't find a way to get to grips with it. :ohwell:

I know what you mean. I think her heart hurt worse when she saw everyone crying in there with her and it probably makes it so much worse. I'd have been crying too so I understand. The love for this girl is a very strong one. There are a lot worse things though than being too loved ;)

I think she needed that bronze to help keep her eligible for the GP next year in relation to her WR. I think that drove them to compete here in the first place and that pressure made it difficult for her to stop. That Kill Bill program looked to be going so well too.

If she can claw her way back to another big event gold medal I think the tears will literally flow on an even more massive scale :laugh:
 
Anyway, after good times there come bad times and then good times again. That's life. And that's sport. It can't be everything perfect all the time. I think Yulia is so close to good times again, right now she just has bad luck. Let's wait for nationals :agree:
 
Unfortunately she has received a lot of it since Sochi and it didn't help her. Sometimes I wonder if it actually contributes to her troubles. As long as she remained ignorant of the public in the pre-Sochi era her star was on the rise. Since then she realized she is being watched and just can't find a way to get to grips with it. :ohwell:

I see your point and I agree that that contributes to this massive pressure on her...:( But this can't be helped already. She is really loved very much by people. I just dare to hope that, apart from the pressure, this gives her a bit of comfort and reassurance, too, that people love and care about her...
 
Glad to see she has a kind coach to lean on. Was so disappointed that she withdrew from Sk America cos I was really looking forward to seeing her. Sad that she couldn't perform this weekend. My guess is that we can't even begin to imagine the pressure these skaters have on them -- no matter what the country, no matter how many medals, etc. Wishing Yulia the best. :sad4:
 
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