ok can we maybe stop saying 'i wish my parents forced me to figure skate from a really early age'? please?
for one thing, nobody who's really genuinely forced to skate at age five continues because you have to care about it.
for another, you'd probably quit. if you go through estrogen puberty your center of gravity changes and suddenly none of the jumps work. and if you stave off puberty for as long as possible so you can go to the olympics as an emaciated seventeen year old you're setting yourself up for a life of chronic pain.
and if you dont quit? high-level sports like this are always detrimental to the body. working out two hours ever day from before puberty to your 20s fucks you up. this is a sport where hyperflexibility is applauded. my physical therapist told me to stop stretching and i just said no. again, a life of chronic pain upcoming
techniques and coaching differ but a lot of you who say this, and specifically say you wish you were 'forced' to skate, are looking at russian girls. and this isnt to say that these girls arent incredible skaters, but it is to say that the reason yulia lipnitskaya retired at nineteen was an eating disorder and injuries from skating. with a technique that favors weighing less to jump higher, you're kind of bound to fuck up your relationship with your weight
and even if you're not skating like that? your body is still being judged every second you're on that ice. the way we view form is so dependent on your body, coaches often cant help but comment, a full day at the rink means eating or not eating lunch while you're there.
it's expensive, too. competitive figure skating is a huge investment. skates alone can cost upwards of 1000 dollars. it's a racist sport, too. and if you choose ice dance to perhaps protect yourself against the effects of jumping, you're left with a culture that permits and encourages harassment and abuse.
also you'd be homeschooled. do you seriously want that. would you really go back in time and resign yourself to a fleeting chance of gold medals in exchange for chronic pain and injuries and perhaps an eating disorder? would you really want to be competing against all your childhood friends? would you really want that shame and judgement when you finally quit?
and if you're saying yes to all these things, maybe work on your self love. you're wonderful just the way you are. you can start skating now, if you'd like. maybe try other sorts of dance. but recognize that you have this choice, now. you wouldnt at age five. not if you were 'forced' into it. even the healthiest skating environment is physically harmful to young skaters on the track for nationals, i think. you dont want to be forced into it.
hell, look at what alyssa liu says about her earlier skating career. she was good at it, she was the best in the us in many respects, but she had very little passion. it was just what she had to do, it was what she'd always done. she's so much happier with skating now, her skating is artistically better, because she's making a conscious decision to do it.
so dont you dare say you wish you were forced into it. think about what you're saying. it is actually that deep. you can wish you started earlier all you want but let go of your fucking abuse fantasy.
and to all the girls and women who quit and are still dealing with what it's done to you, i see you. you are incredible, and you're so fucking strong. be kind to yourself <3
amandla
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