The Gymnastic Diaries

My Backbend

2009-05-23T13:12:00.001-07:00

This is my first (or probably fifth) attempt at a backbend. Someone sent me an email saying put a large pillow where your back will land. I used 2 large double duvets and pillows. It definately helped. It took some of the scariness out of it and it helped me improve.
Since doing it that way and getting my confidence up, I started to go as slowly as possible, really stretching through my back. The problem was I was stretching, but when I got to the point where I bend my knees, I was just falling and losing all the arch on my back. Thus landing on my head haha.
I have finished my exams now, so I am going to practice every day!
I have a few other things which I have been working on too, so I will post them soon.

This is my bridge so far

2009-05-11T21:00:00.000-07:00

I am almost there, I can now get my arms straight and sometimes my legs straight, but when I tried the first time I fell over. My arms still aren't vertical though. I still need to keep pushing upwards and backwards in the bridge.

I wasn't quite ready in this pic, but my camera only has a timer of 10 seconds, which isn't long enough.

For the last few days too, I have been walking down the wall into the bridge, and now I can actually land in the bridge instead of just collapsing

My arm isn't straight on this one

Finally, my arms are straight. Now i just need to get them vertical!!!

My poor attempt at the splits

2009-05-11T20:59:00.000-07:00

Well this a picture of my current flexibility to show my progress.

My Left Leg

My Right Leg

My Bridge Attempt

2009-04-28T15:03:00.001-07:00

So this is my bridge so far, it has got better than this since then. I will have to make a new video and a video of all the exercises that I do.

2009-04-28T14:28:00.000-07:00

Hi, I am called Kim and I am 20 years old. I am making this blog to show my progress as a gymnast. I love gymnastics but I am rubbish, however, I have decided it is now or never. I am going to acheive the things in gymnastics that I really want to do.
I have always wanted to do a backwards walkover, they seem so cool how people effortlessly bend backwards and then come up again.
From researching, I also want to be able to do a press handstand. I think it is a cool thing to do and shows what the human body can do.
Another thing I want to be able to do is a head sit. I absolutely love contortion, but I think I will start with the more basic gymnastic skills first and then progress on to the more advanced contortion moves.
I also love the back flip with the legs that follow separately too.

Stretching

2009-03-29T11:11:00.000-07:00

I have been stretching my back and arms everyday now for a week. I am definately improving, but I still can’t do a crab or bridge.
I even used a climbing frame in a park because nothing is at the right height at home, before a mother hurried her child away, haha.