Shipping Country

Contributed by: Carrie Spender

At the heart and soul of The Show Team at DeVeau’s School of Gymnastics is a leader with a vision.

Paula Lord, is the proud owner of BODY by GymRoots, and is a Master Trainer and Neuro Plastic Movement Specialist with a long list of titles and accomplishments including Master of Sport for Rhythmic Gymnastics.  Paula had designed BODY by GymRoots to be a studio for rehabilitation and performance training for all athletes.  Her main goal is to educate anyone who will listen about the benefits of maintaining a healthy functioning body in the pursuit of a happy, active life without pain

With the internet at our fingertips we have access to endless amounts of research, which can certainly be an incredible thing! However, if you are anything like me, the vast amount of online knowledge can also feel overwhelming.  Talk about information overload!  

Since 2002, Tim and Tamara Smola have opened the doors to Central City Dance and Fitness Center. Priding itself on being “A Leap Above the Rest,” it has grown quickly to serving more than 1,250 dance students! One of the greatest additions to the studio was ACRO, which the couple introduced three years ago in 2014.

A friend left a copy of the September 9, 2017 issue of Time Magazine on my desk with a sticky note that said, “You’re not alone!”.  On the cover, a little league baseball player at bat above the words, “Crazy travel, Crazy Costs, Crazy Stress - How Kids Sports Turned Pro”.   After reading the article, I didn’t feel quite as “crazy”.

The sport of gymnastics is very much like the game of life: there are many paths that come “full circle” but it takes many years to get anywhere- and often it comes with many unexpected twists, turns, and falls. And when we fall, we hope to land on our feet.  

Coach Dirk Ooijkaas from Rotterdam, Netherlands is very familiar with both the game of life and the sport of gymnastics. As a 4x National Champion, World Championship competitor, and Olympic Team qualifier, Dirk was drawn to the state of California by the warm sun and laid back lifestyle. He moved to the United States in 1988.

Riddle:  What piece of equipment stretches from floor to ceiling, can be used by preschoolers and Olympians alike, and is strong enough to hold up the roof?  (Hint:  Some kids like to drive teachers UP IT, also.)

Answer:  A wall.  

Life is full of choices.  Some folks deliberate decisions, others are impulsive.  In recent days, the nation has watched as devastating disasters struck many communities with an impact that was unfathomable.  The Emerald City Gymnastics Team did not hesitate in their choice to jump into action and help.  In just 48 hours, their gym community came together and raised $26,000 for Hurricane Harvey Relief efforts.

Contributed by Carrie Spender, Tumbl Trak Education Coordinator

You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make them drink.  Or can you?

Many parents of young athletes understand this proverb as we encourage our active kids to drink enough water to stay hydrated.  Summer heat and long sweaty workouts are a dangerous combination for kids who are not taking in enough fluids to replenish what they lose.  Water is essential for all major body functions, and key to peak athletic performance.