Do you think using a hockey stick is a good aid to help with turns and transitions and to make you a sharper skater? I sometimes pretend I have one and while you are imagining playing the puck your body is not so sub conscious of rotating your head and torso etc because the "stick" is already rotating you. Has help me with parallel turns and skating backwards so far. Only thing is your posture can be hunched over
A stick would certainly help with balance and confidence. Good posture is important at all times, but especially for transitions. A good thing to remember, is: Shoulders over knees. Knees over toes. Keep the back straight, knees bent, with a pivot at the hip. If you can keep your center of gravity at the belly button, you'll figure things out rather quickly.
