I took a bus from Clementi in, thinking LOL what is 1km, I ran 20km. And I paid for my ridiculous complacency by sweating the entire walk into the place. I almost got lost, searching for the 74 block, as stated on KFit. It actually is 72.
I was way too early so I waited around restlessly. Asked if I could use their grounds to warm up and they obliged, so I got into my flow. 15 minutes later, my coach came and class started.
It was annoyingly fun.
I say annoying because gymnastics are, above all, about conditioning. We started the class with stretches and sprints, and then a shit ton of repetition.
I did cartwheels for 15 minutes non stop. I had to master the technique, correct my form and perfect my landing. It was a lot to do, and everytime I nailed one down, I forgot the other.
I did handstands for 15 minutes next. And here I am FUCKING PROUD because I had a single unassisted handstand that lasted 3 glorious seconds before the fall. So worth it I could cry. He acknowledged that I had strength but also that I have no balance.
We were chatting and he was telling me how he used to be a former Olympian try out. Now he's older and hence does teaching only. He believes that a gymnast can only be as good as his/ her coach, and that it helps to have a challenging environment.
I was getting comfortable so I overstepped my boundaries a little (hehe) and asked to try everything in the gym. I think he was quite excited to have such a curious student too. He happily obliged and I tried E V E R Y T H I N G!
I learnt how to balance on a beam, I learnt how to mount parallel bars and how to bounce on a single spot on the trampoline. I had a ton of fun, and it glowed through my smile. My coach visibly enjoyed teaching me.
My journey with KFit is coming to an end so I can no longer come here anymore SIGH but man is this place on the top of my gymnastics go-to. This coach will lead me to my first tumble, I know it.
What to do what to do.
hi Nicole,
ReplyDeleteLove your headstand! For upper back stretch, try the fish pose. Try to really get the crown of your head on the floor, as the point of contact from the upper body. Place 2 blocks under your shoulder blades at first, till you are comfy getting into a high arch with your body (rather than a lower, stretched out one).
Another practice is the standing back bend. Drop your head down/back first, as low as it could go. Now, followed by the chest and upper back only, with minimum exertion on the mid/lower back. The idea is to try isolate various sections of your very long back.
Wall rope yoga is another good one - for both the back and shoulders. Hope it helps, but pls don't over exert yourself :)
Hi Ana,
DeleteThank you for the advice! Do you have a blog yourself that I can follow too? Would love to read more of your tips!
My fish pose is really low. My back can't arch much without my butt leaving the floor. But perhaps I could try the blocks first and see how it goes from there!
I think standing back bends are amazing. I used to think it was just yet another sun salutation move, but it is deeply immersive once you get the hang of it. Hopefully it helps with my wheel!
The rope yoga class I go to (Samasthah) teach basically the same stuff day in day out, nothing new on both back and shoulders! Which do you go to?
Thank you again for the tips! ;D