A cool place for friends and family members of Santa Monica Gymnastics Center to come hang out. So nuke the popcorn in the microwave; Snoopy dance...dance..dance around the room...then pull up a chair, and be prepared to laugh and cry; to feel embarrassed and inspired; and to just sit back, relax and enjoy these music videos.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Saturday Successes
This is Akasha from March 14th (I think the first time she did two in a row was the previous Saturday):
Akasha and her sister Ashana will be taking a break for a session or two, and last Saturday was her last. I'm sure they will be back.
I've focused heavily on tumbling, neglecting some of the other events. In part, it's because primetime at LASG means it's crowded and equipment-swapping and floor navigating is a challenge. I also feel that a lot of these girls just need to get stronger, and tumbling is one of those skills that requires a lot of major muscle groups.
A backhandspring/front handspring/RO-Bhandspring is one of those skills that can be a sort of turning point in a young gymnast's life; same with getting a kip on bars.
Since so many of my advanced girls are once-a-weekers, I'd hate to take two steps forward and one step back, by skipping a week on working it, right when some are on the verge of getting it.
Georgia's one of those, who I think has suffered for it. Certain skills that we don't get around to maintaining, and it all but deteriorates. Tuesday was the first day in ages where her tumbling was consistent. Corynn did her RO BH for the first time Tuesday, without a spot.
I didn't film everyone today, but captured a few; none of them were firsts, though.
Heather and I were both missing Lauren (she mentioned Tuesday that she would be absent; she's the kind of kid who's been raised to thank instructors at the end of class, and call the gym, if she's not coming).
I took advantage of having Emma Totsubo and Alexandra Shamash teach the level 4 floor routine to the Heravi sisters, to bring them "up to speed". Perry also learned some of it, and Akasha actually made it through the whole routine to music.
Emma Shapland's been suffering from anxiety and has missed quite a few workouts. No one knows what's causing it. She tried class Tuesday, but ended up leaving; she made it through, today, sitting out only a couple of times. I spotted her on a few flyaways, then she did one in the pit.
Round-offs are still very weak on all of these girls. Handstand snap-ups are one of those drills that I think we should be doing every week.
