Snow storm in April? That is certainly not unheard of in my neck of the woods. Today I rescheduled my meetings in favor of working from home. I was glad to be spared much driving, but I am feeling the effects of multiple bouts of shoveling.

I am not sure exactly how much snow there is out there, but it’s been snowing on and off for about 24 hours. And the kicker is that even though it’s pretty much stopped (I think? I hope?) there is enough wind to blow the snow around so that it still feels like it’s snowing.

I thought I did a nice job clearing the sidewalk (corner lot, arghh!) and the driveway, but after another hour I went out again to face huge drifts. I’ve cleared everything again, but no doubt this will happen again.

Doesn’t this remind you of skating? At the beginning of last week I thought I had this head weight thing all figured out, but today at my lesson I was once again tipped forward towards the ice, with the inexorable pull of gravity working against me.

To be fair, I haven’t done much skating this past week. I had a work-related trip to San Francisco. Warm and sunny, no snow, great food. Sigh.

Anyone up for a trip to Nagano to join the snow monkeys in the hot springs?

The good news is that I am back on the ice. And that my lesson included an additional tip about the head weight thing. I shouldn’t be doing this by tipping my head back, but by putting the head and neck in alignment with shoulders relaxed down the back and lifted chest (though not pushing my ribs forward).

Getting this to where it feels natural rather than strained will be a challenge, kinda like keeping my sidewalk clear. But at least it’s a start!

On a happy note, here’s the lovely Asal, who passed her Bronze Freestyle test with flying colors! Hooray!

Lesson notes:

• Inside edges: practice the second half of the edge with a strong hold, then move directly to a power V push with no extraneous movement
• Mohawk, back edge, turn (practice hold, rise and turn of head)
• Swing roll: more twist on initial entry. Watch wrists!
• Outside loop (enter as if for a hooking spin—get that loop smaller!)
• Head weight is moved back with the entire upper body, not just by tipping the head
• two-footed rockers, work on getting better edges immediately into and out of the turn, watch that you don’t block yourself with your right arm/shoulder
• Forward cross rolls: don’t pitch forward
• Backwards cross rolls: don’t swing shoulders around, movement should be more continuous
• outside three, back edge (practice turning body, then head)
• Head weight back is really working
• Three step mohawk feet together after mohawk
• Mohawk back outside step forward, cross roll
• Really work on that cross roll, hips forward, don’t come up and over, cross at shins not at thighs
• Mohawk, back outside, back cross, back outside three into mohawk and repeat on other side (axis)
• Choctaw step forward, cross stroke (same advice), tuck behind, PRETZEL
• Choctaw, back outside three