26 is definitely not to young. I teach skating every year here in Regina. and only 2 people signed up for the adult class which was during the last half hour of our 2 hour's of ice time each week.(one dropped out right away).
The Dude who stayed got private lessons for 18 weeks. By the end I had him zipping around the rink, being able to transition/ pivot, and able to do forward/backwards crosscuts, and doing proper hockey stops. I'm always open to allowing people bring their hockey stick if they want to get better at that side of things to, but I make sure the main focus is on the skating part. But having the open indoor ice to yourself and being able to play hockey is a lot of fun, even if it's not even a 3vs 3 game. Some programs might consider playing hockey too much of a liability and outright not allow it, but no one's going to get hurt out there if you're not being stupid, and wearing a helmet.
if you're 100% a beginner maybe attempt a few open skates by yourself... It's all about balance, bending your knees, and keeping your body parts symmetrical... as in each foot should be doing the same thing. and keep your arms steady at your sides, almost like a scarecrow just not that high up, and not that straight. just at your sides.
just worry about lifting your feet off the ice, and "marching" / taking baby steps going forward. Don't force it... just bend your knees... stay steady, and move forward.
You're not going to learn everything on your own, and there's no point reinforcing non proper technique.
so hit us up with some questions, and look at some instructional videos on youtube. and definitely try to enroll in some type of learn to skate program that is willing to teach adults, if you have an end goal of playing hockey or just being able to skate well enough.
also NO stick until your comfortable on the skates. that's a big no no. My dad still claims he was a average at best skater because his parents stuck a stick in his hand at an early age, luckily both my mom and grandma taught figure skating, and I was on the ice before I even turned one.