funny stuff. I call this the "Roll de Deux Personnes" (that's mock French for all of you untraveled folk)
I'm always trying to find new ways to challenge myself. This was the latest in my new endeavor to be circus-ready. You know, one never knows when one can be called upon to do some kind of circus act. (At least that's the theory I've been living my life with - more people should really try it.)
Recently I've been trying to walkover backwards on my hands. I find myself wishing my mom had put me in piano and gymanstics when I was 6.
Recently I've been trying to walkover backwards on my hands. I find myself wishing my mom had put me in piano and gymanstics when I was 6.
There is a reason most gymnasts are under the age of 13. And it's not just flexibility.
If you tell a 6 year old to just lean backwards and walkover, they just do it. If you tell a 27 year old, then she stands there halfway leaning back and thinking: "What if I land on my head? What if my hands aren't strong enough? What if what if what if?" And if you tell a 45 year old, they just laugh at you.
I went to a gymnastics gym to see if there was any hope for me, and the person behind the desk sort of looked at me like "What are you doing here" She thought I was there to pick up my "daughter." Yes, gymnastics is seriously age-biased. She said they have an adults class on MW at 8:30. Great! That's for me! I imagined several 30-40 somethings praciticing their cartwheels and handsprings and what not.
Not even close.
Apparently the term "adult" in gymnastics-speak means: those who have already passed the golden age of 13 and have not yet become old and grey at 23.
Literally, every one in that room was in high school, or just beginning their young adulthood of 21.
Even the gym coach was younger than me. No, not intimidating at all! :) And of course all of those "adults" used to be those little 7-something gymnastic prodigies. The coach didn't really inspire any confidence when I talked to him. Apparently after 23, they put you out to pasture. There's no use. You are far too old!
Basically he said you can come in and do whatever you want. If I have time then I'll grace you with my presence. Then as a nice little closing remark he looked back over his shoulder and shouted
"Just don't get hurt!"
He might as well have said
"Just don't get hurt, grandma!"
Sigh. I didn't plan on facing my advancing age until at least 30. Here it is now at 27.
For any of you 20 somethings who think you are so youthful and never going to age- go over to the gymnastics gym and get a dose of leotard reality.
Anyway. In spite of those age-biased naysayers, I will do a back walkover before August 31st, and move on to my dream - the back handspring before my 28th birthday (October 19th).
Because who knows what 28 will feel like!
Love your age - ignore it, embrace it, but most of all - ENJOY IT!!!
If you tell a 6 year old to just lean backwards and walkover, they just do it. If you tell a 27 year old, then she stands there halfway leaning back and thinking: "What if I land on my head? What if my hands aren't strong enough? What if what if what if?" And if you tell a 45 year old, they just laugh at you.
I went to a gymnastics gym to see if there was any hope for me, and the person behind the desk sort of looked at me like "What are you doing here" She thought I was there to pick up my "daughter." Yes, gymnastics is seriously age-biased. She said they have an adults class on MW at 8:30. Great! That's for me! I imagined several 30-40 somethings praciticing their cartwheels and handsprings and what not.
Not even close.
Apparently the term "adult" in gymnastics-speak means: those who have already passed the golden age of 13 and have not yet become old and grey at 23.
Literally, every one in that room was in high school, or just beginning their young adulthood of 21.
Even the gym coach was younger than me. No, not intimidating at all! :) And of course all of those "adults" used to be those little 7-something gymnastic prodigies. The coach didn't really inspire any confidence when I talked to him. Apparently after 23, they put you out to pasture. There's no use. You are far too old!
Basically he said you can come in and do whatever you want. If I have time then I'll grace you with my presence. Then as a nice little closing remark he looked back over his shoulder and shouted
"Just don't get hurt!"
He might as well have said
"Just don't get hurt, grandma!"
Sigh. I didn't plan on facing my advancing age until at least 30. Here it is now at 27.
For any of you 20 somethings who think you are so youthful and never going to age- go over to the gymnastics gym and get a dose of leotard reality.
Anyway. In spite of those age-biased naysayers, I will do a back walkover before August 31st, and move on to my dream - the back handspring before my 28th birthday (October 19th).
Because who knows what 28 will feel like!
Love your age - ignore it, embrace it, but most of all - ENJOY IT!!!
