Skating Fridays

Side Layback Variation

Happy Friday! Before we get to the video, can I just have a quick moment to reflect on this layback spin journey? If you would have told me a year ago that I’d be working on layback spin variations, I would have laughed at you. Yet, here we are.

Although my lower back has lost a ton of flexibility over the past few decades, I’m living proof that you can gain some of it back. After stretching almost daily for over a year, this spin is finally getting to the point where it’s almost strong enough to include in a program. Almost.

Just for fun, we are learning the side layback variation. I’ve played around with arm positions, and this is the one that works best for me. I have one arm on my opposite shoulder and the other behind my waist. Now if I could just learn to lean a little more to the side and get a more vertical position from shoulder to shoulder, then I’d be set.

Regardless, it’s still pretty cool that I’m even attempting this in my 40s for the first time!