The Kettering Rec Center is not an unfamiliar place. During my last year of law school, I used to get up early a few days a week and ice skate before class. Several competitive figure skaters used to practice there, and they kindly gave me tips. One of the last times I went, I wiped out in a turn and landed squarely on my chin.
I still love to rollerblade and ice skate, but I’ve never formally taken a lesson. And when my rental skates first hit the ice on Saturday, I realized it was for the first time in more than four years.
Sara, the instructor, teaches ballroom dance and figure skating. I’ve met her at dance events and seen posts about her competitive figure skating students, and she kindly agreed to give me a lesson. The first thing she did was sit me down and tighten my laces. Then we went out on the ice.
My confidence level plummeted as soon as we hit the ice. I’d brought my own ice skates, but exchanged them for rentals because they badly needed sharpened. The rentals felt a little awkward and unsteady on the ice.
But Sara encouraged me. We started with the very basics: inside forward edge, inside backward edge, stopping, and forward crossovers. Sara helped me focus on things I never think about, like positioning my body for balance. Then we worked on a two-foot spin.
As always, it’s wonderful to make progress. I went in not being able to spin on ice skates, and I walked out with that skill.
The two-foot spin starts by putting your left toe pick in the ice, then sweeping your right around it in a half-circle. With that momentum, you then put your feet together and let your body spin. (It’s terrifying.)
Sara showed me, and when she did it, it looked effortless and elegant. I wobbled an attempt.
“Good job,” Sara said. “Try putting your arms out.”
It was counterintuitive to stand in one place and spin. It felt like I was going to fall. But the final time I tried, I made it into a spin. It felt light and simple.
“Great job!” Sara said.
After our lesson, she encouraged me to practice a while and then stay at the rink for some figure skating performances. 
I was glad I did. After having spent the last half-hour trying to gain confidence and stability in a spin, it was amazing to see skaters go into full one-footed spins and jumps.
As always, it’s wonderful to make progress. I went in not being able to spin on ice skates, and I walked out with that skill.
I came out of the rink into the bright October day, and was ready to take on the next adventure.