Life lessons I learned from adult gymnastics
Gymnastics is my favorite sport in the Olympics.
The grace, the power, the unimaginable feats.
So at the ripe old age of 24, I enrolled myself in a gymnastics class.
Lesson # 1: Ask a friend
I was utterly terrified when I enrolled in adult gymnastics.
I didn’t know anyone, I didn’t know the gym, I had no idea what would happen.
It was like the first day of school.
Thank goodness I had my friend with me!
I blurted out that I was going to class and he wanted to go with me.
@coachlia
It made everything less terrifying knowing that I am not alone.
Eventually, 3 of my other friends joined the class and it became a group bonding activity.
So go on and call a friend, ask for a favor, get their support!
Sometimes we’re embarrassed to ask a friend but you never know… more often than not, they’ll have your back!
Lesson # 2: Just do it!
Like the good ol’ Nike tagline: just do it.
I enrolled in adult gymnastics immediately after I found out about it.
I knew that if I took my time... I’ll overthink and come up with a reason not to go through with it.
The class made me practice this all throughout.
When you’re about to do a somersault, you can’t overthink it.
You just need to squat, tuck, and roll.
It won’t be perfect, you won’t roll straight, you might not even roll.
But the thing is.. you won’t know how to improve on it unless you do it.
You can only learn by doing it.
Lesson # 3: Have some FUN!
Gymnastics was HARD.
Especially when you start as an adult and have no coordination.
BUT… it was also so much FUN.
It made me feel like a kid again!
The first time I hopped on the trampoline, I flipped over and landed on my back and all I can do was laugh.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
It felt like playing and it gave me so much joy.
Not to mention, it was a great mind and body exercise.
Sometimes we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life.
Let’s not forget to inject some FUN and joy into our lives.
Lesson #4: You are capable of so much more.
Whatever it is that you want to do, you can do it.
No matter how terrifying it may seem.
No matter how ridiculous it may be.
No matter how embarrassing.
YOU CAN DO IT.
Photo by Skitterphoto
Why would a 24-year-old working girl join a gymnastics class?
“Because I want to and I can.”
My only goal going into gymnastics class was to do a somersault but I came out of it with so much more.
Not just physical strength and flexibility..
but also mental resilience, self-confidence
and lessons I can apply throughout life.
Photo by Free-Photos — 242387
It doesn’t matter if you’re good at it.
It doesn’t matter if you fail.
It all starts with believing that you can do it. You might be surprised on what you’re capable of.