You’re looking around at different sports being offered in your area: soccer, basketball, swimming, gymnastics. Gymnastics? That rings a bell. Is that sport just for girls? Do they just dance around and do rolls? Do they even learn flips? Should I try this one out?
Many parents have these questions, and these are all questions that can be answered. So, why gymnastics?
Gymnastics is a beautiful sport, involving twists and turns and flips and tumbles, and with that comes the stretching of the body, safely. In the sport, stretching is a fundamental part of every practice. It is done before and sometimes after every class. It is important to stretch out the muscles and keep them warm and active. Flexibility will come with time in the sport, and making sure your child stretches and keeps flexible will prevent long term tightness of the muscles, which can cause tears and injuries.
Being in any team or individual sport, your child will most likely train with other athletes. In gymnastics, classes typically have a minimum of five or so athletes. Your child will learn to make friends, build relationships, and create a circle of friends that make them want to keep coming back to the sport. The friendships your child builds in gymnastics will last!
Whether your child starts gymnastics at a young age or not, they gain the social skills needed for greatness! For a two year old starting in a young class, walking in a line, interacting positively with other children, listening to their teachers, and following directions, are all social skills that will set them up for success. The social skills acquired in gymnastics will be learned not only at a young age, but in any level that your child trains. They will follow your young athlete wherever they go!
It is so easy for any child to lose confidence when they see other athletes doing bigger or better skills, completing strength skills faster, or working at a faster pace. In gymnastics, everyone will be working at their own pace, at their own skill level, and at a safe and successful rate. When an athlete sets a goal on a skill they would like to achieve, or a strength setback that they would like to overcome, reaching that point of success builds self confidence, and proves that all goals can be achieved, no matter how big or small. Gymnastics creates the perfect outlet for athletes of all ages to create a new self confidence for themselves, and to spread that confidence through to their teammates as well.
Being in the gym each week, your athletes will be practicing skills over and over, conditioning to strengthen those skills, and working on active strength and flexibility. Your child will start to gain strength as they put more time into the gym and into their skills. This strength will be beneficial for your child in many ways. It will combat childhood obesity, help them in other sports they may try, and benefit their overall well-being.
Keeping in mind strength, self confidence, friendships, and flexibility, don’t forget FUN! As hard as your child will be working, don’t forget that gymnastics is all about fun too! Gymnastics is an exciting and fun sport, with new skills to learn, new combinations to create on different events, and new methods to learning every day! Fun is the fundamental part to any sport, especially gymnastics!
Now, that you’re convinced why gymnastics is the sport for your son or daughter, now you have the task of looking for the right gym near you. Now, it’s our turn to ask you, Why not ASI Gymnastics? Come try a class here at ASI Gymnastics. We’re excited to meet you!
Megan is truly a breath of fresh air. She is known for always putting others first, and she is the epitome of what it means to be a team player. She has worked at ASI Arlington for four years and coaches Tiny Tots, Kidz Gym, Girls Gymnastics, Boys Gymnastics, Power Tumbling, and Girls Team. We are lucky to have an all star on our team!
Megan was a gymnast from ages 8 to 17 years old, progressing all the way to Level 9. After she graduated from Keller High School, she traded in her grips for poms poms at UT Arlington where she won a National Championship. She coached at other gymnastic facilities for about four years before ASI became home.
She loves coaching because of the kids and the relationships she has built with them. “I could be having the worst day, but as soon as I walk into the gym and see the kids and how excited they are about class it changes everything.”
Megan also says, “Gymnastics helps kids with their motor skills and teaches them awareness that will continue to help them with any sport. It is also a mental sport that requires focus and discipline.”
Firewheel
Jasmine has been with ASI Firewheel for two years. She got her start here after being referred by a friend and said, “as soon as I started working, I began to fall in love with everything ASI has to offer.” She is currently our Gymnastics After School program supervisor and coaches preschool and Gymmie Kidz classes. She describes her coaching style as fun, energetic, and patient.
When we asked what she loves most about coaching she responded, “Well to start off I’d say that I LOVE making an impact on my kids, whether it’s my GAS kids, Gymmie Kids, or even my preschool kids. I treat them like if they were my own child. My favorite part of coaching at ASI is getting that new kid that has never been here before and it’s either their first time doing classes, camp, or even just coming for an open gym and just making them feel welcomed and like their a part of the ASI family.” She sums up her experience here at ASI as fun, positive, rewarding, challenging, and always exciting!
Jasmine believes that gymnastics is great for kids “because it’s one of the most comprehensive lifestyle exercise programs available to children, incorporating flexibility, strength, speed, balance, coordination, power, and discipline. Whether they are involved in recreational gymnastics or with a competition squad, skills learned in gymnastics can benefit a child’s overall development.” Outside of ASI, Jasmine stays active by going on walks with her daughter.
Keller
Julio has been coaching at ASI Keller for two years, and in that time has taken on classes at nearly every level. He can be found coaching in our boy’s program at the bronze and silver level, power tumbling classes, and our girl’s program from bronze all the way up to Level 2 team! Julio is one of our most in-demand birthday party coaches, and he can always be counted on to make Open Gym and Parent’s Night Out a blast. Julio is a graduate of LD Bell High School, where he competed in gymnastics and coached gymnastics in the after school program. In fact, he brings six years of gymnastics experience to ASI Keller.
To maintain his fitness level, Coach Julio credits coaching with keeping his metabolism up. He sums up his coaching style as eccentric, progressive and conditioned. Coach Julio is always looking for new and exciting ways to help his students get stronger so that they can make the corrections they need to master their skills. He loves teaching gymnastics to children because it gives them “an opportunity to express themselves through physical and mental endurance”. Julio found out about ASI Gymnastics through fellow coach, Jordan, and he loves coaching at ASI because it is fun, challenging, entertaining, and humbling. He describes himself as a silly person in general, and he loves coming to work every day in an environment where he gets to be himself.
Julio is a great team member and is always available to newer coaches for mentoring and advice. His smile is bright and contagious to everyone around him, and he makes every day in Keller happier just by being his positive self!
Mesquite
Michael at ASI Mesquite has been coaching at for a little over six months. In this time, he has really become a big asset to the gym. He coaches a wide variety of classes from Kidz Gym, Boys and Girls Gymnastics, as well as Fun Products! Michael has grown up in the sport of gymnastics. He was a Level 5 gymnast and coached for a year before ASI. To keep active, he goes to the gym and keeps up with his tumbling skills.
To Michael, gymnastics is such a great sport for children because, “Gymnasts tend to to have it easier when they go into other sports, and in general activities. Children who may want to grow stronger will be able to develop those skills and more that will go way beyond the sport of gymnastics, all while having fun.” His coaching style can be summed up into these three words: safe, fun, and informative! Michael’s favorite event to coach is the Balance Beam. He loves coaching at ASI for many reasons, such as, “I love the friendships built between the coaches and the kids. It’s always nice to go to work and see it as teaching friends instead of work.”
Plano West
Zac is a wonderful Power Tumbling and Boys Gymnastics coach at Plano West! He has been coaching at ASI for about two years now. Before he started working here, he was a dance instructor to kids. When he’s not coaching or attending school at Collin Community College, he enjoys working on cars and hip hop dancing.
When describing his coaching style in three words, he said “fun, enthusiastic, and outgoing.”
He loves coaching gymnastics because it puts a smiles on the students’ faces when they are having fun in class, and he loves working with kids. Coach Zac loves our Plano West kids and they love him!
Rockwall
Sierra has been coaching at ASI Rockwall for going on two years now, and we are so excited that she is part of our team. She currently coaches a couple of Girls Gymnastics Silver classes, and she works several ASI Fun Products. Sierra said the thing she loves the absolute most about coaching at ASI is that every time she walks into the gym, it lifts her spirit knowing that she could be a driving force to make a child’s day.
“I love that no matter what someones day was like before they walked into the gym, I know that they will leave this place in a better mood because they got to ring the bell, jump on a trampoline, or got to swing on the rope.”
Sierra says gymnastics is great for kids because it gives them the ability to learn to do flips safely, while polishing and adding on to each and every skill learned. “I mean, what kid does not want to do flips?” Coach Sierra is great with the kids; she is so patient and understanding. She babysat a lot of children before starting her job at ASI, and she has two younger siblings that she spends the majority of her time with.
When asked what her favorite event to coach was, she said the Vault. Sierra started doing gymnastics herself when she was three year old, and she stopped at the age of 16. She was a Level 5 gymnast, and she also participated in track and field. She was a part of her high school STEP team at Plano East Senior High during her junior year.
“I had always wanted to work for ASI. One day I drove by and actually called. They told me to come in, and I was coaching a month later. It was the best decision I had ever made!”
Sierra loves to coach and she thinks of herself as a “fun” coach. She is also very task-centered and focused. We are very lucky to have such an amazing “team player” not only as a coach at ASI, but also as part of the ASI family.
It is such a great feeling to watch a child grow right in front of your eyes. Knowing that you contributed to their cartwheel or presentation sequence, reassures any coach that their work is worthwhile. That’s how we feel about Hannah!
Hannah enrolled at ASI Gymnastics September of 2013 and she has truly progressed over the years. Of course like any kid, she does gymnastics any opportunity she has. Doing handstands at home is a must in her household. Only true gymnast spend the majority of their time upside down.
In addition to gymnastics she also does ice skating,plays the piano, and loves to sing. Her parents mentioned that gymnastics helped her tremendously with her confidence. She’s also met friends at ASI who have also advanced within the program with her.
Knowing that the coaches always conduct themselves in a professional manner and will continue to emphasize the importance of teamwork were huge selling points to her parents. We never want her to feel that she is not doing a good job. Coach Kiara always gives high fives and praises them when they do a good job. She loves ASI Arlington and we Love her.
Firewheel
Henry is three years old and has been attending ASI for 7 months now! He watched his older sister Felicity in her gymnastics classes for the past two years and finally decided to try it for himself. He has already grown so much! When he was asked why he loved coming to gymnastics, he said, “It’s so much fun! I like the balance beam and jumping on the trampoline!” He also said he likes Coach Marcie because she helps him and is really nice. Coach Marcie said, “You’re really nice too!”
Mom explained that Henry has gained more independence since attending classes and that she loves watching him. Mom said she brings her kids to ASI because “ASI has a great reputation and we love the coaches!” Outside of gymnastics, Henry also enjoys baseball and will start t-ball next year.
We can’t wait to see how continues to grow as an athlete and young man!
Keller
Keller’s Student Spotlight shines on six year-old Girls Silver gymnast Sophie! Sophie has been attending classes at ASI Keller for five months and is currently enrolled in Coach Marissa’s class. Her parents brought her in to ASI after being referred by a friend, but stated that it was our “outstanding staff that got us to join.” We love hearing that in Keller! Her parents credit Sophie’s gymnastics classes with providing her with opportunities to build her strength, coordination, and endurance; skills she uses in bike riding and baseball, two of her other favorite sports.
Sophie enjoys Coach Marissa’s classes because “she acts silly and crazy and she’s THE BEST COACH EVER!” (We agree!)
In her Girls Silver class, Sophie is building skills in all areas of gymnastics, but her favorite event is the trampoline. Sophie says she loves coming to gymnastics “because I think it’s awesome! I love to learn new things at gymnastics. Cartwheels and handstands are my favorite things to do. I just LOVE gymnastics!”
We love you too, Sophie, and we can’t wait to watch your progress!
Mesquite
Six-year-old Colton has only been with ASI Mesquite for about four months and comes for two hours every Tuesday night. Colton’s mom first heard about ASI from a birthday party invite. “We’ve come to a few birthday parties here and decided that this summer we’d try out one of ASI’s camps. He had a blast, so we’ve continued it through the school year.” Colton takes both Power Tumbling and Boys Gymnastics classes with Coach Jacob and Coach Carly. When he was asked why his coaches were awesome he said, “Coach Jacob and Coach Carly are both awesome because they help me to be the best I can be!” Colton’s favorite event is the Bars. Outside of gymnastics, Colton enjoys playing basketball, soccer, t-ball, and boxing.
Colton’s mom says he is benefiting in many ways from gymnastics. “He is getting very strong. He takes two classes back to back so it is also improving endurance. He has tons of energy and gymnastics is a wonderful tool to put to good use.” Colton’s silly, fun personality definitely keeps Coach Carly and Jacob on their toes during class, but they wouldn’t want it any other way.
His coaches say, “Colton keeps the energy going during class. He always gives 100% in class no matter the tasks! We couldn’t ask for a better student!”
Plano West
Sami is on our Level 4 Girls Team at Plano West. She has been at ASI ever since she was in Tiny Tots. Her favorite event is the floor because “you get to show a bit of your personality through your routines.” Her favorite skill to work on is back handspring step outs.
When asked why Sami loves gymnastics, she said “the sport itself is so exhilarating because you keep on progressing and every new skill always produces a rush of adrenaline while doing it. My teammates are like my sisters and the coaches are like my second family who are always there for me when I need a laugh or a shoulder to cry on. I can definitely see gymnastics affecting my future plans in life.” Sami can’t wait until she turns 16 so she can become a coach and use her passion for gymnastics to teach the next generation at ASI!
Her parents say that “Sami is truly the person she is today because of the amazing partnership that we have with ASI and her gymnastics focus. Her coaches and teammates are truly a part of our family. She has confidence, voice, strength, and an amazing growth mindset; belief that she can accomplish anything, because of our partnership with ASI. ASI is home and Sami is able to build her gymnastics skills and love of lifelong learning, persistence, grit, and determination because of ASI.”
We feel so lucky to have Sami and her family as a part of the ASI family and cannot wait to see where her talent and passion for the sport will take her!
Rockwall
Casey is one of Coach Adam’s Boy’s Team Level 3 gymnasts and also takes Power Tumbling here at ASI Rockwall. He is an incredible athlete and we are so lucky to have him in our gym. He started attending classes at ASI in September of 2012. The family heard of ASI through a friend, and we are so glad they did. Mom and Dad said they enjoy watching their son advance physically, while learning and showing sportsmanship. They also stated, “Coach Adam is a talented gymnast and enjoys teaching others his talents. He has a natural ability to encourage children to reach their potential. Casey looks up to him.”
When Casey is not at ASI, he loves to go Cycling and also wake boarding. His family says that being in our programs here at ASI, Casey is learning coordination and conditioning that is beneficial in all sports.
“ASI provides excellent coaches at all skill levels, multiple locations, a sense of family, and a commitment to your child’s success!” They stated.
ASI Rockwall is extremely fortunate to have someone in the gym who appreciates the sport of gymnastics like Casey. We can’t wait to see what the future has in store for him and we wish him the best of luck in all that he does in his 2016-2017 year at ASI!
Tuesday, September 20, Olympic Gold Medalist Madison Kocian visited ASI Gymnastics at the Lake Highland location! Students and gymnasts of all ages attended, and the energy in the gym was incredible! Madison stayed at the gym for about an hour, signing autographs and taking pictures with adoring fans. The Olympic Medalist was decked out in her USA blues and reds, and was just as excited to meet all of her fans! So many of the athletes look up to Madison, as they have their own dreams and goals of going to the Olympics one day. A few were a little shy to meet her, some gave her precious cards and gifts, and almost all made it a point to tell her just how much they appreciated her coming to the gym. We had students and athletes from all over the DFW area, including some children who don’t even attend ASI Gymnastics! Despite the line to meet and greet her, all of the parents and their kids were so thrilled to meet her when it finally became their turn for just a minute of her time. Being that Madison is from Texas herself, many were inspired to know that an Olympic Medalist can come from anywhere!
The line to see Madison filled the gym entry way and was almost out of the front door! The number of people coming to see her was about 300! The event was extremely successful and everyone left feeling inspired to train harder to be like Madison!
Check out some of the pictures from the event!
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Keep an eye out on the ASI Facebook Page for the rest of the pictures. Coming Soon!
ASI Gymnastics is happy to announce that we are getting a visit from Olympic medalist Madison Kocian! The Dallas native will be making a trip to ASI Gymnastics to have a meet-and-greet with our ASI members. Madison will be discussing her experiences at the Rio Olympics, and more about her gold all-around and silver bars medals!
WHEN: Tuesday, September 20 from 4-4:45pm
WHERE: ASI Lake Highlands – 11835 Greenville Ave. Dallas, TX 75243
Extra, Extra! We will be having a “Madison Special” for Kellogg’s tickets! Make sure to come see Madison and get your discounted tickets! Don’t forget your Special K cereal box and other goodies for Madison to sign!
Her Accomplishments:
A little about Madison: Madison is from Dallas, Texas, where she attends WOGA. In 2015, she was the uneven bars world champion, and a silver medalist on the same event at the 2016 Olympic Games. She is 19 years old, a Senior International Elite gymnast, and became a member of the National Team in 2009. She has committed to attending the University of California, Los Angeles.
Gymnastics is a beautiful sport, involving twists and turns and flips and tumbles, and with that comes the stretching of the body, safely. In the sport, stretching is a fundamental part of every practice. It is done before and sometimes after every class. It is important to stretch out the muscles and keep them warm and active. Flexibility will come with time in the sport, and making sure your child stretches and keeps flexible will prevent long term tightness of the muscles, which can cause tears and injuries. 
Being in any team or individual sport, your child will most likely train with other athletes. In gymnastics, classes typically have a minimum of five or so athletes. Your child will learn to make friends, build relationships, and create a circle of friends that make them want to keep coming back to the sport. The friendships your child builds in gymnastics will last!
Whether your child starts gymnastics at a young age or not, they gain the social skills needed for greatness! For a two year old starting in a young class, walking in a line, interacting positively with other children, listening to their teachers, and following directions, are all social skills that will set them up for success. The social skills acquired in gymnastics will be learned not only at a young age, but in any level that your child trains. They will follow your young athlete wherever they go!
It is so easy for any child to lose confidence when they see other athletes doing bigger or better skills, completing strength skills faster, or working at a faster pace. In gymnastics, everyone will be working at their own pace, at their own skill level, and at a safe and successful rate. When an athlete sets a goal on a skill they would like to achieve, or a strength setback that they would like to overcome, reaching that point of success builds self confidence, and proves that all goals can be achieved, no matter how big or small. Gymnastics creates the perfect outlet for athletes of all ages to create a new self confidence for themselves, and to spread that confidence through to their teammates as well. 
Being in the gym each week, your athletes will be practicing skills over and over, conditioning to strengthen those skills, and working on active strength and flexibility. Your child will start to gain strength as they put more time into the gym and into their skills. This strength will be beneficial for your child in many ways. It will combat childhood obesity, help them in other sports they may try, and benefit their overall well-being. 
Keeping in mind strength, self confidence, friendships, and flexibility, don’t forget FUN! As hard as your child will be working, don’t forget that gymnastics is all about fun too! Gymnastics is an exciting and fun sport, with new skills to learn, new combinations to create on different events, and new methods to learning every day! Fun is the fundamental part to any sport, especially gymnastics! 
