ATA Gymnastics Newsletter                              February 2018

February is Flexibility Month

At ATA it has become a tradition to FOCUS on FLEXIBILITY during the month of FEBRUARY! Flexibility helps improve posture, reduce soreness, decrease the risk of injury and improve physical performance. Flexibility from student to student will vary greatly; however, studies have shown that with consistent practice, flexibility can improve. During this month, coaches will not only start off every class with the regular warm up/stretching time, they will include stretching throughout the class by incorporating it into the circuits and stations. In addition, the last 5 minutes of every class will also be spent stretching, when muscles are warm. Students will do toe touches, pancakes, splits, over splits, straddles, back & shoulder stretches, etc. Encourage your child to practice these stretches at home. Better yet, clear out some space in your living room and make it a family event:) Here are some guidelines...
  •  Always warm up the body prior to stretching, as this increases blood flow around the body, which in turn makes the muscles more supple.
  •  Ease into a stretch, relax, and don't push or bounce. You should feel a stretch in the muscle which may be a little uncomfortable, but not painful.
  •  Remember to breathe regularly and rhythmically. Do not hold your breath.
 

 
Gymster Gymnastics
 
February Theme: Friendship

It's the season of Friendship at ATA! February 14th-24th gymnastics stations and group activities will encourage friendship, cooperation and teamwork. Students will practice introducing themselves to a new friend, taking turns, giving high fives and encouraging others.
 

Skill of the Month: Rolling
If you've ever watched a preschooler roll around on the floor, you know it's a surefire giggle-producer. But what you may not know is rolling is great for their body and their brain for lots of reasons, including:
  •  Vestibular Development (to assist in balance)
  •  Midline Development (to assist in coordinated movement and thinking)
  •  Sensory Development (to assist in creating his understanding of the world)
  •  Gross Motor Development (to build strength and coordination)
  •  Proprioception (to develop a tactile understanding of space)
January Class Snapshot



Gymster Health Policy:

Cold and flu season is here again. Please help us keep our students and teachers healthy this winter by washing hands before and after class.
If your child has had a fever or tummy troubles in the past 24 hours please keep them home.
Children that come to class with a severe runny nose or cough may be asked to reschedule.
If you have any questions contact the front desk,
Happy Tumbling,
Jocelle Burdett
Gymster Manager
 

February's Safety Tip:
A gymnast's attire is incredibly important to his/her safety. Below are ATA's policies on dress code .
Girls: A clean leotard / Gym shorts are ok with a fitted shirt / No midriff tops / Hair must be tied back / No jewelry except post type earrings / Feet should be bare
***Check out our Pro Shop for Leos & shorts!!!
Boys: A clean T-shirt / Clean gym shorts / Feet should be bare.
Friendship Month: Intro 4-6 yrs

In celebration of Valentine's Day, our Intro Tumblers will participate in activities that focus on friendship during the month of February. What's better than doing gymnastics?...doing gymnastics with a friend!!!   Students will learn the importance of teamwork as they perform fun partner skills.
2018 Spring Fling April 21st

At ATA we love to celebrate the hard work and progress of our students!  What better way to do that than by putting on a show that displays their gymnastics achievements!  Our Spring Fling will be an entertaining night of music, dance and of course ATA's speciality tumbling and acrobatics.  This show is the perfect opportunity for your child to show off what they've been learning in a class.

Our Spring Fling is open to Gymster students ages 3 & 4 and Intro to Tumbling students ages 4 to 12. 

Click here for the details!
 

 
Acrobatic Gymnastics Team

As usual, January begins our official "crunch time" as we head back from the holidays and ramp up for the beginning of the meet season!  This year the season will begin with a BANG!  The 2018 World Team Trials was held in Baytown, TX, Feb 2-4.  This competition serves as the event to select team members to the USA World Championship Team.  This year, it will be held in Antwerp, Belgium early April!! 
 
ATA sent two qualified trios to this event.  World Championships is the highest level competition experience to achieve!  For our athletes going, it is the biggest dream and goal they can have in the sport!  We are excited to say that the Junior elite Women's Group of Taylor Witana, Samantha Servellon and Neena Deshpande performed solid routines, came in 2nd place and were named to Team U.S.A!!  Both Neena and Samantha have been competing on our Acro team for more than 10 years!  This is Taylor's 5th season. Our 11-16 Age Group trio of Faith Greer, Sasha Tsuker and Kasey Nowak had the best routines of their lives.  This was their first time competing together as a trio and they came in 3rd place in a very competitive division.  They had the strongest dynamic routine of that event ending 1st on day 1!  They missed being selected this time round by mere tenths!  Well done trios!  You made us so proud!




Have a Great Day! 

"Life needs balance.  Life needs strength.  Start with gymnastics and go anywhere"

 

Sincerely,

 

Aerial Tumbling and AcroGymnastics

408-224-5437


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