SKATING

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Jimmy is a certified U.S. Figure Skating coach and a World Figure Sport Educator. In 2021, Jimmy debuted at the World Figure & Fancy Skating Championships and won a Bronze medal. Jimmy began skating when he was 12. Two years later, at age 14, Jimmy already had three different triple jumps under his belt and became the 2004 New Zealand National Figure Skating Primary Men’s Champion.

Formerly coached by Ukrainian National Junior Ice Dancing Champion, Irina Voroninskaya, a student of Olympic coach, Tatiana Tarasova, Jimmy brings the unmistakable old-school Russian tradition of beautiful skating to all his students. Having found ‘figures’ through Olympian and President of World Figure Society, Karen Courtland Kelly towards the end of 2019, Jimmy now also teaches this dying art and heart of skating to all his pupils, both figure skaters and hockey players. Jimmy believes that proper training in figures is essential to skating regardless of the discipline. “You must learn to walk and run well first. Then, you can decide what you want to do with those skills wether it’s to dance, to play football, or to play basketball, etc.”

Even though Jimmy is already well-versed in multi-rotational jumps (doubles, triples and quads), spins and stroking, he continues to challenge what he already knows in order to perfect his art. Jimmy believes that a true teacher never stops learning.

Jimmy has over 10 years of experience working with children and adults of every level in New Zealand, Canada and now in the New Hampshire Seacoast area. Jimmy has a Master of Teaching, a Master of Arts in Ministry and a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science.

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Whenever we skate, the blades leave marks that form intricate patterns on the ice. These patterns, called “figures,” are fundamental to the art of ice skating regardless of the discipline. Correct body alignment is essential in performing clean and accurate tracings on the ice. Through figures, I help students gain a better understanding and awareness of how the body works, so that they can more easily adapt to different styles of movement, including hockey and multi-rotational jumps, while maintaining positions and postures that promote health and longevity. Poor body alignment can cause injury, which can eventually restrict the body’s freedom to move in certain ways.

Over and over again, I have seen skaters doing acrobatic moves and zooming around with a hockey stick without having the necessary fundamentals of skating to properly support their body. The absence of the fundamentals of skating damages skaters physically and emotionally, a phenomenon that can be observed even at the highest levels of skating today. Having done triples and quads in my youth, I know how exciting it is to perform these magnificent feats of power and strength. However, I also know that we can execute these physically demanding elements without taking shortcuts and compromising the healthy development of the body and mind.

Ice skating is more than just a physical activity that improves mind-body coordination; it can improve other areas of life, such as confidence and creativity. Music, rhythm and choreography are all integral to the art of skating. When skaters perform to music on the ice, it is called “fancy skating.” Skating with music in the background is different from skating as one with the music. I strive to inspire my students to feel every move and sing through every part of their body.

My approach to skating education focuses on the well-being of the whole person. At any age and level, skating done correctly can increase one’s quality of life in every aspect. My lessons are informed by the Alexander Technique, Pilates, ballet, and my background in biomedical science, education and music performance. It is my mission to help my students skate with physical alignment that benefits their body, with inner peace that nourishes their mind and with passion that feeds their soul.

If you are interested in learning to skate or in becoming a better skater, please click here to schedule a lesson.