OUR GYMNASTICS PROGRAM INCLUDES
DANCE AND BALLET ELEMENTS
BALLET. In ballet lies the foundation of rhythmic gymnastics. Practicing exercises near bar and at the centre are very important for every rhythmic gymnast, so that she can develop her precise body control, an upright posture, graceful arm movements and correct feet positions.
For our youngest gymnasts, we include basic ballet feet and arm positions; beautiful, soft movements, turns and bends, so they start developing good posture and understanding of their body position in a space.
For our older and competitive gymnasts, ballet takes even greater part of each class. Our program incorporates ballet exercises to strengthen muscles that enable girls to do fast movements, jump high, turn pivots with control and hold their legs in balance.
DANCE. According to rhythmic gymnastics rules, judges evaluate the artistic components of every gymnast’s routine. To receive the highest score, the gymnast should dance and move gracefully on the floor, in perfect coordination with the music.
Through teaching gymnasts various dance styles, such as Character, Lyrical and Jazz, we aim to develop girls’ ability to move their bodies harmoniously to a rhythm of a music and strike a beautiful position without a moment’s hesitation.
At Miss Rhythmics we also understand the importance of teaching improvisational dance. This skill gives gymnasts the innate feel of a rhythm, confidence, and develops an ability to move from one element to another effortlessly.
GYMNASTIC AND ACROBATIC SKILLS
Learning and practicing various gymnastic skills is incorporated in every rhythmic gymnastics class, from beginners to the most advanced groups. Skills are selected and introduced according to an age group and experience. They may include different leaps, jumps, balances, turns and pivots. According to rhythmic gymnastics rules, there are more than 30 types of jumps/leaps, 30 balances and around the same number of turns/pivots, so there are many elements to choose from and master.
Pre-acrobatic elements are usually one of the most exciting body skills to learn. In rhythmic gymnastics, students learn and perform pre-acrobatic elements only on the floor (without flight) and without fixed position, due to safety considerations. The pre-acrobatic skills may include forward and backward rolls, different types of cartwheels, walkovers forward and backward.
STRETCHING AND CONDITIONING
Our rhythmic gymnastics program includes great exercises to help gymnasts build a strong and flexible body. An excellent conditioning program will encourage fitness, with a focus on learning amazing rhythmic gymnastics skills in a safe and supportive environment.
Stretching techniques and exercises include front and middle splits, bridges and back stretching, with supervision from experienced and accredited Gymnastics NSW coaches.
APPARATUS SKILLS WITH ROPE, HOOP, BALL, CLUBS, RIBBON
A gymnast wearing a stunning crystal- decorated leotard, performing with a spiralling ribbon, is probably the most recognised image of rhythmic gymnastics.
It would be almost impossible to find a child who doesn’t enjoy twirling a ribbon, bouncing a ball, spinning a hoop or jumping through a rope! Everyone loves it!
We have found that even the shyest student, who attends class for the first time, will be happy to join in straight away, when she starts moving a hoop or ball in her hands.
It can be a truly magical experience when one admires watching a gymnast handling a rope with amazing skill and mastery! What a rewarding sense of achievement and boost of confidence a young gymnast receives, who after persistent practice, learns to do the same skill, as the gymnast they admire. This kind of magical experience happens in our gymnasium almost every day.
We tailor our apparatus program for each group, carefully choosing the most suitable skills that match gymnast’s level and experience. We make sure skills are fun, a bit challenging, but not overwhelmingly so.
Usually, we choose 2 different apparatus for Beginners classes. Our competitive students learn skills, involving apparatus they will be competing with this year. Having our students’ benefits and best results in mind, when time allows, we then introduce them to a new apparatus, so they start getting ready in advance for the next year.
Two exciting, but the most difficult RG apparatus – Ribbon and Clubs – are usually introduced in competition levels 3-4.