Gymnastics is Life, Danger Shop, Period 3

[whoisalicewhite.livejournal.com]

Week 2 of Gymnastics-is-Life class, and the same set up was in the Danger Shop-- but with a bit more emphasis on various balance beams, stationary on the floor, or high up over nets and moving. There were also the rafters, if you cared to dare your way up there.

"Balance beams. Great for learning, well, balance. Also not looking at your feet. If you wind up in construction work, or doing any kind of outdoor climbing, this is going to serve you well." Parker gestured with one toe to the smallest beam, only three inches off the floor, on top of springy mats. "You might want to practice on this about ten times, before you move up to this one." She pointed toward the balance beam four feet off the ground, then started to demonstrate. "This might be easier for the girls than the guys, because you're trying to balance with your upper body. Guys have their center of gravity in their shoulders, so it might take some more practice."

A wider beam only 8" off the floor was also in place, as well as the moving beams on chains up above.

"Once you get comfortable, and haven't fallen off several times in a row, try something else. Maybe a cartwheel, maybe a handstand. I'll be watching each person, but if you want a spotter on the other side of the beam too, that's fine."

"And there are cupcakes today!"

[ooc: OCD going up.]

Comments

RE: Practice on the balance beam

[thewrathofkaan]

Roscoe had dressed more appropriately today, in capri-length pink leggings and a stretchy white athletic tank top. He was more than ready for a good workout, anyway- he had his legs back after a week without them and was dying to use them.

So he started on the low beam and worked his way up from there, pleased to note that despite his higher center of gravity, he was doing pretty decent.

Re: Practice on the balance beam

[whoisalicewhite.livejournal.com]

"Nice," Parker said approvingly. "You want to try the moving beams?" She grinned and pointed upward, to a beam on chains above one of the larger nets.

Re: Practice on the balance beam

[thewrathofkaan]

"Uh." Roscoe peered up at it. "Maybe not just yet."

He hopped off the middle beam onto the mat below. "Do you like doing that one?"

He wasn't gonna lie, it looked fun. But also slightly terrifying.

Re: Practice on the balance beam

[whoisalicewhite.livejournal.com]

Parker's face lit up. "Yep!" She grinned and headed toward the ladder. "Watch this. It's all a matter of timing."

She jumped from the platform at the top of the ladder to the first beam, setting it moving. She didn't take a step for a moment, just swayed with the movement of the beam, then waited for it to move toward her, and stepped forward. The beam started to slow, and Parker waited again, then took another step, smaller this time. Another step, and the beam started to tilt.