Former Olympian and Ice Skating Coach Marika Humphreys speaks on the benefits of skating with music
Former Olympian and now respected ice skating coach, Marika Humphreys is thrilled to work at Lee Valley Ice Centre where she combines movement with music to add a twist to her lessons.
Marika recalls “As a youngster, I wasn’t good at ‘normal’ sports...I could coordinate my own body but I couldn’t hit a ball with a racket, so for me, ice skating was a great, alternative way of being active. Uniquely, the temperature of ice skating is one of the best things about the sport. It’s very hard to overheat and even after working your body really hard, you can still feel quite fresh.”
Marika has always enjoyed the sense of community ice skating provides and even met her husband through the sport.
“Growing up as someone interested in ice dance, there was a sense of generosity of knowledge from older to younger skaters and I had a grandfather-type mentor at the skating rink,” she explains.
“We also used to social dance – where you learn specific routines which allow you to dance with anyone. This fell out of fashion a bit as ice dancing got more popular but since coming down to Lee Valley, I’ve discovered an adult community of people looking to get more socialising out of skating.”
Marika continues “It’s great because you can come on your own but because everyone knows the dances, you can just join in. Part of the delightful process is that people can also teach each other, and this brings social learning and interaction. People also bring home-made food and cakes to share afterwards.”
Alongside the mental benefits of skating, Marika’s keen to promote the physical advantages it provides as well, commenting that it’s “a unique blend of resistance and cardiovascular training. However much you weigh, you have to push yourself around the rink. The great thing about ice skating is that it can accommodate everyone’s level of fitness.”
Having skated her whole life and reached the highest level in the sport, Marika is in a better position than most to understand the benefits of skating and the rewarding nature of working as an instructor.
It’s the community nature of Lee Valley Ice Centre that has seen her come full circle and give back to the same community that has given her so much and we’re always happy to have new members join our Lee Valley family!