It's A Bird... It's A Plane
By Shanti Revotskie May 26, 2006

Anyone who has been a parent knows that children are natural gymnasts. In the home (to the dismay of parents), gymnastics equipment usually takes the form of furniture.  How many times have you heard parents say, "Don't jump on the bed," "Don't dive off the sofa," "Don't swing off that tree branch" or "Don't climb up on the table"? Children love to explore what their bodies are capable of, and we can help them to fully discover this potential.

When we give direction to a child's energy in the form of a physical discipline, not only does that child develop physical ability but also a priceless sense of self-confidence, concentration and will. As a child experiences the results of his efforts in a discipline, he learns skills that will serve him for a lifetime.

It is much more difficult to implement "foundation" skills once we are adults. For example, self-confidence is a foundation skill that is not just used here and there throughout life but permeates every aspect of what we do. The same is true of concentration and will. Learning these skills when we are young gives us a basis for success in life. 

A physical discipline is a natural, fun and healthy way to acquire life skills. One of the most dynamic sports that can serve this purpose is gymnastics. Some of the defining features of gymnastics as a sport are:

1. You never directly confront your competitor; instead, the emphasis is on the highest achievement of each individual.

2. New exercises and routines are always being learned.

3. There are various disciplines within the discipline of gymnastics (floor, bars, beam, etc.).

4. Personal creativity is called upon in developing routines; it is a sport of both technicality and creativity.

Women's gymnastics consists of floor, balance beam, uneven bars and vault. Men's gymnastics consists of floor, parallel bars, fixed bar, rings, pommel horse and vault. Since the 1968 Olympic Games held in Mexico City, the interest in gymnastics in Mexico has been steadily increasing. The Federación Mexicana de Gimnasia, based in Mexico City, now has chapters and participating gyms in all the states in Mexico. The federation ensures a standard of quality and safety in participating gyms, sets the rules and regulations for competitions and offers instructor training courses. San Miguel has not been left behind as the number of gyms increase in Mexico. Gimnasia Olimpica Revotskie, located in Colonia San Rafael, has an equipped gymnasium, federation-trained teachers and gymnastics classes for all ages beginning at age three. For information call 154-0407 or 154-5909.