Friday's Funny

Most of these just look PAINFUL!

Blooper Wednesday--Old School Style

Tips Tuesday: Benefits of Balance Balls

Balls Replace Chairs in Fort Collins Classroom

You've seen those large exercise balls at the gym but now they're rolling into the classroom, where a Fort Collins, Colorado teacher is using the balls to improve her student's concentration and posture.

Tiffany Miller replaced the desk chairs in her fourth-grade classroom with stability balls, and now she's seeing improvements in behavior and learning.

"We know with brain based research that when you are actively sitting your brain is more engaged. The other reason is the posture is better, which means that there is more blood flow going to your brain," said Miller, a teacher at Bauder Elementary.

By using core muscles to balance on the balls, the students stay focused, which improves learning and posture."I've never thought about going back to a chair," said student Nolan Diana.

"It helps me learn," another student said. "When you had chairs you were always slouching. But if you slouch on a stability ball you will fall over," explained student Madelyn Cesa.

"If you don't have good posture when you are older you are just going to be like this, hunched over," Nolan said, bending over.

The stability balls allow the students to move around, minimizing restlessness."I am a huge fan of being able to fidget," Miller said. Her students agree.

"They are better than chairs because you can wiggle around and in chairs you just stay really stiff," said Madelyn.

"I have noticed a change. I think if you asked the kids they'll tell you they've noticed a change...They enjoy sitting in their seats now," Miller said. "I don't know if it would work for other teachers, but it works for me."

The only problem is if you leave your seat, it might just roll away.


Perfect for at home or at work and people of all ages. Gibson Athletic supports your stride to a healthier lifestyle. Gibson Anti-Burst Balance Balls are available for purchase. Improve YOUR posture!

Purchase your Balance Ball today!

http://www.momlogic.com/2009/02/balls_replace_chairs_fort_collins_classroom.php

Friday's Funny

Thursday's Weekend Preview: December 12-13

On the agenda this weekend:

The Valeri Liukin Invite is at WOGA this weekend, featuring U.S. Champion Jonathan Horton and 2009 World team member Wes Haagensen.











AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez


And for some international competition...

2009 Toyota International Gymnastics Competition
Dec. 12-13, Toyota City, Japan

Featuring:

Men
Alex Artemev, Lakewood, Colo./5280 Gymnastics
Alex Buscagila, Cary, Ill./Stanford University
Tim Gentry, Plano, Texas/Stanford, University

Women
Kytra Hunter, Frederick, Md./Hill's Gymnastics
Mackenzie Caquatto, Naperville, Ill./Naperville Gymnastics Club

Local:

December 12 & 13 Level 4 State hosted by Aurora School of Gymnastics
(Also, the Level 6 State meet results are posted!)




Intrasquads!! College team preview...
Here's some preseason action that you can get in on! Go check out your favorite teams!




Friday, December 11, 2009
Mizzou @ 7 pm
Black and Gold at the Hearnes Center

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Michigan @ 7 pm
Maize and Blue Intrasquad


MSU @ 2 pm
Green & White Gymnastics Meet-Saturday, December 12 in the third floor gym of Jenison Field House. Come see the team kick off the 2010 season.



UNH @ 1 pm
Annual “Meet the Team” event on Sat., Dec. 12, at 1 p.m. in Lundholm Gymnasium

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Iowa State @ 2 pm
Come at 1:00 pm for some fan education!

UCLA and CSUF @ 2 pm (in Fullerton)
Meet the Teams exhibition: CSUF/UCLA with special guests Nastia Liukin and Peter Vidmar

And many more...check your local team's website to see when they're going to exhibition their hard work!

Or watch online:
University of Arizona preseason preview
ISU vault intrasquad


Also...2010 NCAA Men's Gymnastics preview from USA Gymnastics.

Blooper Wednesday!!--Funnies for today!

Tips Tuesday: How to Keep Gymnastics Interesting

Monday's Weekend Recap

Monday's here again! Get ready for a great week!

Jetter, Whitcomb win all-around titles at Tournament of Pas-de-Calais
Click HERE to see how the USA stacked up in France over the weekend!
Way to go girls!

Congratulations to everyone who competed at Level 5 state this weekend here in Colorado!
Way to close out the season!

Also, it's intrasquad time again! Wherever you are, check out the college teams in your area--they're all gearing up to start a fantastic NCAA season!

Friday's Funny

The Thursday News

Local Gymnastics NEWS

December 5 & 6 Level 5 State @ Loveland High School hosted by Premier Gymnastics of the Rockies

Alexander Artemev of Lakewood to Represent USA in International Competition

USA Gymnastics announces international assignments for December

11/30/2009

Alexander Artemev and Kytra Hunter
© FIG and John Cheng

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Nov. 30, 2009 – 2008 Olympic bronze-medalist Alexander Artemev of Lakewood, Colo., is among the seven U.S. gymnasts who will represent the USA in international competition this December. The two international events are the 2009 Toyota International Gymnastics Competition, Dec. 12-13, in Toyota City, Japan, and the 14th International Tournament of Pas-de-Calais, Dec. 4-5, in Arques, France. Assignments are listed below.

14th International Tournament of Pas-de-Calais
Dec. 4-5, Argues, France

Amanda Jetter, Milford, Ohio/ Cincinnati Gymnastics
Cassandra Whitcomb, Cincinnati, Ohio/Cincinnati Gymnastics

2009 Toyota International Gymnastics Competition
Dec. 12-13, Toyota City, Japan

Men

Alex Artemev, Lakewood, Colo./5280 Gymnastics
Alex Buscagila, Cary, Ill./Stanford University
Tim Gentry, Plano, Texas/Stanford, University

Women
Kytra Hunter, Frederick, Md./Hill's Gymnastics
Mackenzie Caquatto, Naperville, Ill./Naperville Gymnastics Club

Copyright © USA Gymnastics

Lopez Dominates 16th Bolivian Games

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Former University of Denver gymnast and 2008 Olympian, Jessica Lopez (Venezuela), won five gold medals and one bronze at the 16th Bolivian Games, held this week in Sucre, Bolivia.

Click HERE to see the full article featured in International Gymnast.

Blooper Wednesday--A Swinging OUCH!

Tips Tuesday: The Importance of Stretching

Anybody involved in athletics knows that stretching and flexibility are important aspects of injury prevention. Athletes from gymnasts to dancers to basketball players to swimmers all partake in some form of warm-up before starting the rituals of daily practice.

Flexibility allows joints to move through full range of motion, which can help keep your body protected from injury by keeping muscles pliable. Stretching can also help limit the effects of old injuries in your current training.

By increasing your flexibility you will increase the amount of movement your limbs have before an injury occurs. A definite plus when looking to prolong your career in sports!

Two types of stretching include static stretching and dynamic stretching. Static stretches include any stretch that is held for 15-30 seconds of time at a point just prior to feeling discomfort. Static stretches are best conducted after your workout to focus on increasing range of motion.
Dynamic stretches, however, are a perfect warm-up prior to a workout. These stretches are more effective at reducing muscle stiffness, so doing these exercises will decrease the likelihood of muscle tears. Warming up with dynamic stretching can increase injury prevention and preparation for your workout.

Now...talking about flexibility and the importance of stretching, take a look at this video! This guy is flexible!