Sunday, August 29, 2010

Tip #3: Being a great gymnast.

Tip #3: Study ballet. Again, this probably seems very basic, but grace is a huge part of gymnastics, and it is something that has to be learned. My mom used to come to my meets, and almost every time, she would say, "I can tell which girls are ballerinas and which aren't." Girls who have taken a few ballet practices learn to extend all their limbs, point their toes, and move in a way that looks totally effortless. My sister, who is a dancer, tells me that gracefulness eventually comes naturally. If taking a ballet class is not an option, that's okay. There are other ways you can practice being graceful. Take the time to stand in front of a mirror at home and go through a routine only completing your arm movements. Watch the way you move and try to make it appear as light and as polished as possible. It will pay off!!! I wish I had done more of this when I was a gymnast.

If you watch "Make It or Break It" on ABC Family (come on, I know most of you do :P), you will see Sasha Beloff telling his girls that there are two types of gymnasts: power gymnasts and artistic gymnasts. To an extent, that is very true. I always considered myself a power gymnast. However, to be the very best, you need to have both power AND artistry, and both those elements can be learned.

I would also suggest watching a few videos of past Olympic gymnasts (and by past, I'm talking 1960s-1970s). Over time, the emphasis on poise and beauty has slowly made room for a greater emphasis on power. That's not a bad thing by any means, but sometimes it helps to look back at how gymnastics has evolved and how it all started. Watching early gymnastics routines always inspired me to bring back the artistry in my own routines.

Since I don't know how to embed videos yet, I will provide you with the link to a routine from 1968. There are a lot of lovely, beautiful dance moments in here. Enjoy :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kxpl6BzYJ5o&feature=related

5 comments:

  1. These really help mee!!(: thank you!! i havent competed yet so im nervous!!! thanks so much i love this blog and like every time i walk i walk on my toes since of gymnastics and when i sit down anywhere i point my toes!!

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  2. I'm so glad you like it! You're more than welcome!! Don't be too scared about competing... it's normal to be a little nervous, but competing is a lot of fun :D I'm not sure how many more of these tips I'll provide; I guess I'll just add 'em in whenever I think of them. :)

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  3. haha works for mee!! thanks so muchh! icant wait for your other blogs!!

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  4. Hi.(: Ok, so i have a question. haha, I'm and 14 and haven't really started gymnastics yet, just taken a few classes here and there. I'm starting this fall, and my friend told me about WPIAL gymnastics. For where I live, its high school gymnastics. The problem is, I'm not really experienced, (and I would have to compete as an individual) and so I don't think I'm good enough yet. :/ If I take maybe one or two gymnastics classes this fall, along with one tumbling class, how long do you think it will take me to be able to compete in high school gymnastics?
    Thank you so much! This is so helpful.(:
    -gymnastics4ever<3

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  5. I have really big issues trying be graceful and artistic! I trip on flat ground! But im great with the power though!! Like I have a front handspring front front layout on floor and im a level 4! anyway! any like other advice on how to try to get gracfuller? haha

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