Figure skating is still in Polina Edmunds blood. After playing in the Winter Olympics in 2014, it’s still a huge part of her life. Edmunds posted on Instagram, “this one is for all my long-limbed people!❤️ I’ve always been perceived as very tall on the ice because I have long arms and legs, even though I’m pretty average in height (5’7). Tall for skating, sure! Best thing about long limbs is the beautiful lines you can create on the ice: use it to your advantage!” What does she do to maintain her mental and physical strength? We did some digging to find out.
1. She’s confident
She’s tall, but uses it to her advantage. Edmunds posted on Instagram, “HOW TO UTILIZE LONG LINES:
1. Less is more. Opt for choreography that uses fewer movements and highlights long stretches.
2. Don’t rush your movements. Take time to finish every full move. Really milk it!
3. Focus on movements where you can really stretch your whole arm, whole leg, and feel your torso and back move with the stretch.
4. Pay attention to your hands, fingers, and feet. Make sure the movement flows all the way through your fingers and toes to accentuate the line instead of stopping at the wrists or ankles.
5. Straighten your knees, point your toes, and keep your back straight! Don’t hunch your shoulders, move BIG!”
2. She ice skates
Practicing is a massive part of her workout routine. “Sharing another skating skill drill I love!! This is a basic staple I give so many skaters, with the intention of holding your positions and practicing extension and toe point,” she said on Instagram captioned a skating video of her doing a double outside three turn, an edgy cross roll, an outside three turn, and a big back crossover. According to playkettering.org, “strengthening your muscles and improving your joint health leads to better balance. So does trying to stay standing on the ice. By learning to engage your muscles to stay standing, you’re not only toning them, but also improving your control over your body and your endurance.”
3. She loves to swim
She loves to swim and can be seen jumping off a boulder into the water to take a dip while camping in this video captioned, “it’s not summer without camping! 🏕️ Was a stellar 4th of July weekend.” According to the Mayo Clinic, “swimming is often touted as a great workout for all ages, offering benefits not only for the body, but also for the mind. As a form of exercise, swimming keeps your heart rate up and builds muscle strength. It also can be a great form of stress relief.”
4. She puts a healthy twist on her treats
She bakes, but puts a healthy spin on it to maintain her health while indulging in treats. “My housemate said brownies as our next sweet treat and I said challenge accepted,” she said on Instagram. “A healthy twist~ these are flourless avocado brownies and we’re obsessed. They are so rich and fudgy, and are sooo easy to make!
-1 avocado mashed
-1/2 cup 100% raw cacao
-2 eggs
-1 cup coconut sugar
-1 tsp baking powder
-1 tsp vanilla extract
-2 tbsp nut butter (I used tahini)
-1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
Mix everything together and bake at 350 for 45 minutes! Let cool completely before slicing. These taste exactly like real brownies but are way better for you🤌🏻”
5. She prioritizes mental health
Mental wellbeing is just as important to her as physical. “My ‘Unwind Your Mind’ Collection presale goes live at 12pm PST this Friday. So much passion behind this silly pun project because mental wellness starts with paying attention to the little things. The little things add up,” she said on Instagram. She went on to say “100% Cotton crewnecks, cozy in 3 colors.”
