My first private lesson!

Well, what a difference a private lesson makes to a group lesson. Knackering for a start! As my new coach said, there is a lot more opportunity for standing around daydreaming in a group class!

Before the class, I said that I would like to go over basics, as these are rushed through in group classes - as long as you can do them, that's about all that matters. And it was a nice mix of basics, slightly more advanced stuff and things that terrify me :)

Forward Stroking: Apparently, I don't toepick on these at all, which I am really happy about! We worked on my down-up-down rhythm (straightening the legs briefly when the feet come together before going into a deep bend to push off again). I was amazed at just how much more power this generated, and I thought I was going pretty fast already!
Forward Crossovers: I have never had any coach pay any attention to these (they saw I could do them, and shoved me straight up to Level 5 on the Skate UK), so very helpful today. I need to make sure that I keep the crossing over foot in line with the circle, and that my back leg extends crossed behind, with a nice pigeon toe. As with forward stroking, I could feel the extra power generated. Really must work on these going CW more, as they were pitiful in comparison, but got better.
Backward Crossovers: LOTS of time on these - still with the guiding hand, but lots of new tips to take away with me. My problem with BXO's isn't the crossover - the bit I get unsteady on is when I bring my feet back together again. Apparently I do some weird wiggly thing, leaving my weight in the wrong place, so no wonder! D also told me to push the weight right over onto that inside leg before crossing over, pushing the inside hip into the circle, and then making sure I also transfer the weight right onto the crossed over foot. Otherwise, she said they were good, but it's nice to have some focus on what to work on. AND KNEES MUST BEND MORE!
Cross-rolls: I've never had any guidance on these, so this was great. She told me off for pathetic leg extension at the back, and rightly so as that is one of my strengths! So worked on getting a nice leg extension (which actually helped with increasing the edge to make a more complete half-circle) and doing the crossover a little more pigeon toed.
3-turns: Both FO3's and FI3's. FO3's really showed up my recent lack of practice, and were pretty woeful. I eventually managed to do a couple of RFI3's but have certainly done those better as well! D also spent some time helping with with the LFI3's which are lagging behind. She says I either need to speed up the pre-rotation or do the turn sooner as they are not quite in sync.
Backward Consecutive Outside Edges: Hmmm. Something new and scary for me to try. Admittedly, I had assistance today, but scary! I have to practice pushing off at right angles to the line of direction, and also not cheat by doing them on two feet till the very last minute!

So that was my first lesson - it feels like we covered loads. I skated on and off for about another hour and a quarter afterwards and made a small amount of progress on the FI3's and cross-rolls.

The other good thing was that I took a tumble! Not usually a good thing to recall, but you have to understand that every time I have fallen, I have generally hurt myself. This time I fell on the (very) well padded part of my bum, didn't hit my head, my wrists or any other bits of me. I got straight up, and carried on with what I was doing. A few more falls like that, and I might just stop worrying about it!

Sorry, long post. Hope it hasn't been too tedious reading it, if you have got this far!