tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11460272688803770812011-11-27T18:54:25.036-05:00This is all about the adventures of adult figure skating!Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.comBlogger291100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-10333053026606099412010-02-09T22:40:00.001-05:002010-02-09T22:40:09.331-05:00

Exclusive Winter Olympics news & widgets at NBC Olympics.com!

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-34390882303745434942009-10-27T23:27:00.002-04:002009-10-27T23:30:14.849-04:00

Oleg and Lumila Protopopov with students of the Adult Pairs Track during Adult Week at the Olympic Arena in Lake Placid, NY Seventy-seven year old two time Olympic Pairs champion, Oleg Protopopov suffered a stroke on Friday October 9th that caused right-sided paralysis. The days before were regular training days at the rink. He and his wife and partner, Olympic Champion, Ludmila Protopopov,

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-18786105621886870172009-10-04T16:56:00.000-04:002009-10-04T16:57:21.956-04:00

Lake Placid – The International Skating Institute (ISI) held its long-running Adult Nationals Championships at the Olympic Center for the first time. Over 100 skaters and officials attended and there were 169 events at the championships. The ISI is the governing body for recreational ice skating. Local figure skaters, Karen Kan and James Gann, entered the competition in nine events and won six

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-3606912296783327272009-10-03T23:02:00.001-04:002009-10-03T23:02:42.550-04:00

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-11865100042275965242009-10-03T22:31:00.001-04:002009-10-03T22:32:16.116-04:00

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-40885257820023209852009-09-09T21:14:00.001-04:002009-09-09T21:14:55.338-04:00

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-68455499282029441782009-09-05T15:37:00.001-04:002009-09-05T15:38:59.790-04:00

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-50391403466640602009-08-31T18:39:00.001-04:002009-08-31T18:39:49.374-04:00

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-59628269229419967132009-08-31T18:35:00.001-04:002009-08-31T18:36:26.278-04:00

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-55193515075050955162009-08-20T18:55:00.005-04:002009-08-20T19:09:35.307-04:00

What a treat to meet THE icon of figure skating, Dorothy Hamill, last Sunday. She was here in town with her student Rachael Flatt, who gave a brilliant performance Saturday evening at the Lake Placid Summer Ice Show. Triple galore! And lots of wonderful choreography... Rachel is a well-rounded skater - and having Dorothy as a coach explains a lot!Dorothy was so gracious as she shook our hands. I

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-16315580669599066262009-08-20T18:46:00.004-04:002009-08-20T19:10:34.319-04:00

What a great couple of weeks with Stars on Ice's John Zimmerman team coaching two Italian Olympic hopeful Pair teams with his wife Silvia Fontana, at the Olympic Arena in Lake Placid!It was such inspiration to see the speed, the triple throws, synchronized side-by side pairs spins and grace. My partner, James, although initially intimidated, got over it quickly by making friends with John

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-83031208434050809352009-07-12T21:48:00.002-04:002009-07-12T22:02:41.470-04:00

We had a lesson with Jack alongside a couple of classy ice dancers this afternoon who were having a lesson with their coaches. I watched their precise footwork, edges and bodyline...all were beautiful. The man and woman were very well matched with regards to stature and general body type.They were being coached by two coaches, one being a famous Russian coach who has coached several

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-5892848062015844322009-06-13T22:54:00.004-04:002009-06-13T23:06:15.667-04:00

Paula Smart was one of the first adult skaters I formally met over ten years ago. As I was more admiring skating than actually skating at the time, I remember watching her beautiful extension and lines. One day, I told myself, I wanted to skate as gracefully as she. I admired Paula - she had come from a past in competitive swimming - and I could appreciate her intense discipline and work

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-77379923147023618352009-05-14T12:59:00.000-04:002009-05-14T13:00:37.747-04:00

On the last day of ice at the Olympic Arena, James wanted to work on Axels (our hardest single jump). Jeff came and coached us. At first I was dismayed at how I “forgot” how to do them.But after Jeff told me to jump “ahead” rather than around and to transfer my weight from my left to my right foot. I finally went for it. After a couple of tries that didn’t seem like much, but with Jeff’s approval

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-37011253494078049262009-04-29T18:58:00.004-04:002009-04-29T19:04:08.736-04:00

Last Sunday in my Personal Transformation Class, we did a Shamanic Journey. I'd done one before, so I thought nothing of it at first. I didn't know what to "ask", so I focused on what I was currently working on for my career. But as soon as the drumming started, another questions just "popped out" that was more important.I'd been dealing with various physical limitations and ailments for a while.

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-8943542611656139962009-04-23T22:33:00.003-04:002009-04-23T22:44:38.551-04:00

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-87792844331807523142009-04-15T23:06:00.002-04:002009-04-15T23:09:16.466-04:00

Goes to show you that you are NEVER too old to enjoy your life to the fullest!

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-78001241119130742482009-04-01T07:18:00.002-04:002009-04-01T07:21:31.707-04:00

On my way this morning for a pair lesson with John Zimmerman, what a thrill and what a nice guy. Meet him and his wife last year at the Adult skating camp in NJ. They were so supportive and encouraging. Can't wait to meet him again on the ice with my pair partner. Will try and get some video or at least a picture to share. Wish me luck!

Dr. Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02610170747346183880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-22010548457337433272009-03-21T22:09:00.004-04:002009-03-21T22:14:45.492-04:00

After the skate I was changing my foot-wear to street shoes and wiping my blades dry when I saw out of the corner of my eye a fellow approaching. Looking closer I saw he was one of the rink workmen, an older fellow; fiftish. He smiled and glancing out to the ice he said, "You sure make it easy."I smiled back and thank him, and added, "You know it’s a lot like riding a bicycle. Seems impossible

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-26991272273172634282009-03-19T23:25:00.005-04:002009-03-19T23:31:52.454-04:00

I got this email from my new skating friend, Jim D. He said I could post it:Had a warming experience at the rink today. Not long after the session started I saw a fellow watching me as he struggled to move forward; you know the type... we were all there at one time. I watched back... he showed good persistence, but next to no accomplishment. Skating along with him a bit I asked if I could give

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-46097070268059206622009-03-15T13:23:00.006-04:002009-03-15T13:46:54.149-04:00

I just started taking Zumba classes with certified Zumba instructor Marci Wenn in Lake Placid, NY. Wow! What fun! It is like a party! I've always loved Latin Rhythms, but didn't take the time to learn partnered dancing. Now I can dance (and burn calories) and have fun. Zumba is high energy but not necessarily high impact (especially compared with figure skating!).Unlike figure skating, Zumba uses

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-40981191685858020852008-04-11T22:43:00.002-04:002008-04-11T22:55:28.806-04:00

The sun came out and the snow slowly melted during the beginning of the week when over 500 skaters, coaches and officials descended upon our small town of Lake Placid, New York. James and I had been skating our program with the awesome new transitions choreographed by Mimi Frantz. Our coach Jack Devitt patiently awaited our decision to finally put the pair sit spin away because we lost it as

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-80865204812435930622008-03-23T22:24:00.003-04:002008-03-23T22:28:26.411-04:00

Every spring comes the opportunity for adult figure skaters to strut their stuff at the annual adult national figure skating championships. This year the competition will be in Lake Placid, New York, home of the very first AN. Rumour has it that there will be over 800 "starts" during this competition with over 500 competitors flocking to the small town.James and I will be competing in our very

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-13776914936280805362008-02-11T22:02:00.001-05:002008-03-23T22:30:05.145-04:00

Between attempting death spirals, weight lifting, African drumming, sitting at the computer for long periods of time, I seem to have manifested a very painful right shoulder. I could complain about it but I'm not. I remember a time when I took ibuprofen like it was going out of style. Now it is a rare event.What I've learned is that all "discomfort" is an opportunity to grow, often mentally or

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-2455081454534984322007-10-06T21:04:00.000-04:002007-10-06T21:19:12.915-04:00

One of the greatest obstacles to my success in the past has been perfectionism. I was listening to a personal growth CD today that was given by my wealth teacher, T. Harv Eker, and he was saying that perfectionism is really a form a FEAR.Fear of failure, fear of not being worthy, fear of not being good enough etc. That is so true in my case. In fact, those that have known me before I even skated

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-88247043903632481312007-09-18T21:42:00.000-04:002007-09-18T21:52:29.721-04:00

James and I were working on our new death spiral this week and we were fortunate to be in the company of two time Olympic Gold Medalists Oleg and Ludmilla Protopopov during their training.Oleg and Ludmilla interrupted their own training in order to give us a few pointers including a new hand hold position and lots of reassurance from Oleg to me that even if I fall, it is no big deal..I can't get

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-49983319637277347212007-09-11T19:34:00.000-04:002007-09-11T19:43:32.278-04:00

"One Night only -- A Tribute to Evelyn Kramer"My final night in Lake Placid Adult week (Saturday, August 25), I was honored to perform in this special ice show for Evelyn on the eve of her retirement. Here are the notes from my journal:And finally, the big show...The overture.The spotlights.The bleachers are packed with eager spectators.From my spot in the bleachers, I crane my neck to try to

Komkovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01767579401064404171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-92080484746804184652007-09-05T11:14:00.000-04:002007-09-05T11:32:09.129-04:00

Several years ago, I was training hard for the 2000 Adult Nationals. I lived in Los Angeles at the time and was looking forward to coming back to Lake Placid to compete for the first time "officially". I had been disqualified from competition prior to that twice because I wasn't a US Citizen. The rules have since changed and non-nationals can now compete in non-qualifying events (hooray!).In Los

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146027268880377081.post-91396096502820726232007-08-25T23:09:00.000-04:002007-08-26T00:22:52.175-04:00

My partner, James, and I had a fun-filled week with our fellow pairs skaters Andrea, Lee, Kat and Jeremy. As per usual, Ludmilla and Oleg Protopov worked us hard with squats, lifts, toe-work and lunges! But we loved every second of it!Oleg turned 75 this year and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary! They've been skating 53 years! We sat mezmerized watching two hours of Protopopov

Karen Kan, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18419928999904766262noreply@blogger.com0