We Miss Yuri!!!!!!!!

Yuri's last day working at the gym was June 18th. After a gazillion years being at SMGC, I still feel her presence as well as her absence. Over the years, I learned a lot from her, directly and indirectly. I've never met anyone who could conduct herself so responsibly and adult-like, and still play like a child at heart. I always trusted her judgment in safety when it came to the kids and what they could and should and couldn't and shouldn't be doing. Yuri has been invaluable to me in nurturing my own growth as an instructor and as a teacher (I do see a distinction between the two words).

As a gymnast, she is naturally gifted. I can barely get off the ground anymore on anything; and I'm pretty sure that as infrequently as I worked out gymnastics-wise over the last several years, she doesn't have to do a thing all year round, yet still be able to tumble a double back. This past year I watched her swing giants on the unevens without grips (I have footage to stick into a future video). To me, that's just crazy!




Couldn't fit it all in one; so here is a 2nd video:

What Kind of Bat Likes to Tumble?

How about....an Acro-bat?!?