@Natasha Crews I just got them 😅I'm still in my break in period. So far I'm loving them, but it will take several months before I have additional feedback. There was a point I was considering GH boots too, but I shied away from them because I'm unable to see/feel them in person.

@Natasha Crews I used an arius plate for about the last year and a half. I did not have any problems with it, and it served me well. I decided to go with a different plate for this new set up because I want more control over my trucks than changing out the cushion only. I just saw someone post about his one of their arius trucks came off completely while skating, and the comment section had several people mention that it had happened to them well. Full disclosure, it never happened to me and I skated with them several times a week, always indoors. If you do get them though, based on the feedback from others, make sure everything is locked in tight... Was planning on making my boots with the arius plate an outdoor set, so it's something I will be checking more regularly on that plate as well.

@Toi MissToi definitely useful. YT is easiest: gear icon>playback speed. The screen record hack is a little more work, but you gotta do what you gotta do 😅

1.Be more consistent with setting up monthly dance skate workshops. 2.Record more practice sessions (that was a goal for this year that I did not meet, so rolling it over to the 2026 list) 3. Increase toe manual control, including toe bubbles, pivots and backwards. 4. consistently warm up with circle edge drills, inside and outside backwards and forwards with the goal of improving backwards outside edges specifically. 5. One foot quarter pivot drills for 8 counts on each side until they look controlled and effortless 6. Work on two variations for crazy legs. 7. Smooth out snake walk on both sides. 8. Learn how to do a grapevine. 9. Trains & trios, figure 8s and partner skating- get out of my solitary skater comfort zone and just try doing them. 10. Visit more rinks. 11. Stay consistent 3+ times a week I'll probably be changing or adding onto those goals over the course of the year 😅

@Damien Holmes do you have a practice space at home?

@Damien Holmes Nice!! You've got skates and a space to skate in. Looks like you're all set to polish up your old moves and learn some new ones. Keep us posted on your journey🛼

@Sarah Hays https://youtu.be/5A6kYAzK6Oo?si=1XlwDxxA2h_NLGxg

@Sarah Hays how are the new skates treating you?

I'm sorry to hear that. No personal experience with this issue, but I hope you find some answers. I know that dealing with chronic pain is not easy. I copied your concern into a GPT and received the following recommendations : 💜 First: reframe the frustration (this matters more than technique) Skating with scoliosis or chronic pain is not skating “wrong.”It’s skating with a different blueprint. Your body doesn’t fail fundamentals—you adapt them. Progress might look less linear, more experimental, and that’s not a weakness. It’s intelligence. Practical pointers that actually help 🧠 1. Think stacking, not “perfect posture” Forget “stand up straight.” That cue doesn’t work for curved spines. Instead: - Stack head → ribcage → pelvis in the best alignment your body has today - Slight forward hinge at the hips is often more stable than upright - Knees soft, chest relaxed—not puffed, not collapsed 👉 A “neutral that moves” beats rigid posture every time. 🌀 2. Train asymmetrically on purpose Many skaters with scoliosis have: - A “strong side” that turns easily - A “foggy side” that feels unstable or late That’s normal. Try this: - Drill weight shifts off skates first (slow marches, single-leg balance) - On skates: Progress lives in small, repeatable wins. 🔄 3. Break moves into pieces, not flows Flows assume symmetry. Your body might not have that—and that’s okay. Instead of: “I should be able to do this whole sequence” Try: - Entry only - Weight shift only - Exit only Then stitch them together later.You’re not behind—you’re building durability. 🛠️ 4. Modify stance width + foot placement A slightly wider stance can: - Reduce spinal strain - Improve balance when weight transfer feels unstable Also experiment with: - Toe angles (slightly turned out on one side) - Micro stagger (one skate a hair ahead) Small setup changes = big relief. 🕯️ 5. Pain-aware practice beats “push through” Chronic pain doesn’t respond to brute force.