As this was only my second time skating in the past two decades, it took a couple of laps before I was comfortable skating again. I'm still working on stopping without using a wall and skating backwards. I have to admit to being a bit envious of those who skate so effortlessly around the rink. In particular, I would like to learn how to learn how to transition from gliding forwards, to backwards, and back again. I have no desire to jump, flip, or twirl.
Unfortunately, although I made some small improvements, skating backwards (aside from moving with the slow "swizzle" movement) and stopping in the middle of the ice (aside from just letting my momentum slowly die) still elude me. My forays into skating backwards quickly had my ankles and calves aching with the effort, while my attempts at stopping quickly just didn't work unless a wall was handy. Still, I kept trying for the hour that we were on the ice even though I knew at least one of my students was witness to some of my attempts.
I don't know exactly when I'll get the chance to skate again, but I hope it's soon.