Friday Freebie: Gymnastics Gift Tags

Happy Friday everyone! It's that time of year again, when we are scrambling around to find the perfect gift and the perfect way for presentation of the gift. When you've got a team of gymnasts, some coaches' gifts and other gymnastics fans to provide for it can be quite disheartening to find there are little options to choose from.

Don't worry, I've got your back!

How to Make the Most of Your Craft Foam with DIY Gymnastics Stamps

This weekend is going to be fun! Funky and I are headed to one huge pool party for two sisters (one happens to be my level 4 gymnast who has one of the most delightful floor routines that you just can't help but smile from first beat to final pose!) Presents, favors & swimming suits ready to go. But there's a thing about the gift wrapping paper.

You see, I am super cheap thrifty. In Singapore, they don't sell wrapping paper by the roll. It is sold in 1 meter squares, boring or overly girly with pink lace or some other gaudiness that makes chics like me puke AND almost $3 a pop in some stores.

Third world problems...I know.

So, how do you avoid this wrapping paper inflation of Singapore?

PRINTABLE: Boys Superhero Gymnastics Birthday Banner

Super awesome, superhero gymnastics?!

YES!

It's here for you and I'm just dying to see someone print this out and make a banner for their little dude. So if you do follow these super simple steps to create a little bit of awesomeness I would love to see it.

Stuff Gymnastics Coaches Say

Who doesn't love a fun infograph?

Inspiration from the Flipside

You know, instead of the job I’ve been doing on and off since high school and solidified during graduate school. The one that doesn’t require a diploma but does demand patience (lots), the ability to lift squirmy humans, and a working knowledge of how to spell and pronounce “Tsukahara.” I wonder if coaching is something that I am supposed to outgrow.

 Taken from the Flipside column Diana Gallagher wrote on the Couch Gymnast. The most inspiring thing I've read all week!

Can Chocolate Improve our Customer Service?

I started making custom designs for gymnastics themed birthday parties over at The HandXStand. My recent addition in services includes making Hershey Kiss Labels. 

I know for many it seems a little bit odd being chocolate and all, but think of the possibilities it could provide to improve service in Gymnastics Centers.

I Support Equal Marriage Laws

I normally don't blog about political matters, however when I feel so closely tied to a cause it's hard not to share the passion I have for equality for ALL individuals. A while back Brigid, The Couch Gymnast posted an awesome gymnastics version of the Marriage Equality logo. It inspired me to make a handful of versions myself in support for my friends and family members, I'm behind you 100%.

The Freedom of Movement is Within Us

My husband and I always talk about movement and usually end up in a discussion on what came first, yoga or gymnastics. We both agree that movement gives us freedom, releases fears and emotions that can not be explained in words. The experience of movement gives us so much that we tend to forget.

Ido Portal gives such an inspiring interview in this video. Not only is he super reflective of his own experiences but also gives gymnasts around the world the biggest compliments.

Very cool!

Adidas Gymnastics Leotards

One of my favorite leotards a gymnast of mine wears is this fantastic yellow Adidas gem of a leotard. It's simply stunning.

All of my girls are just waiting for the new line of Adidas Gymnastics leotards to come out and so am I. They really take the cake when it comes to design & color combinations.

This morning I woke up to some amazing news, McKayla Maroney (one of my most favorite gymnasts of late) has joined the Adidas Gymnastics team along side teammate Jordyn Weiber.  Sounds like a winning team to me.

ManageMe Sport: A new app coming soon!

I can't wait for this app to launch! I love my apps and use them on my iphone and ipad constantly for organization, planning, heck even blogging

From their site:

• No more documents and speadsheets! The ManageMe Sportcloud based platform allows you to store, view, edit and analyse your athletes data on the web and across all your iOS devices
• With our cloud based application you're sure to have all your athletes information wherever you are and whenever you need it
• Designed for Men's and Woman's Artistic Gymnastics. Plan, review and store measurements, competition results, calendars, video's, skill repertoire and medical data.

Gymnastics in the new millenium is exciting isn't it? Head on over to their facebook page and spread the news!

Gymnastics Mom & Dad Bingo Game

It's Okay to admit it....watching your child for hours at end while they do their gymnastics lesson is not as exciting as doing it yourself. I know, I'm a parent too and I totally get it. It's possible you check your emails and facebook updates like OCD (Outta Control Disorder!) Tonight you get to stop that craziness  and bring some fun into the parent viewing area with Gym Mom or Dad Bingo!

How to Throw an EPIC Gymnastics Themed Birthday Party for Boys

Give your little man the best gymnastics themed party that will inspire him and all his friends to go for gold. From invites to food and drinks, this post will include all things to make that possible.

That time of the month: Gymnasts and their period

When I was in my last few months at my former employer, my then co-workers would beg me not to go. I like to think it was because they really enjoyed working with me but deep down inside I think it was because I was the only female. One of them would say to me, "What if....uh...you know....that time of the month?"

Interview with Singapore's rising gymnastics Talent: Kelsie Muir

With less than a week away from the 2013 Singapore National Championships, gymnasts and coaches around the country are putting those last touches on their choreography and building confidence to showcase their upgraded routines. For most gymnastics fans in Singapore it is a chance to see how Kelsie Muir's gymnastics has matured in the past year.

Kelsie Muir (born 1999) is one of Singapore's most promising gymnasts. Over the years she has won many Singaporean competitions at every level and shows no signs of slowing down. For a gymnast her age she shows a remarkable degree of elegance and confidence, a true contest of the efforts of her long-time coach at Prime Gymnastics, Rachel Kennett.  Recently, Prime Gymnastics recruited High Performance Coach, Xu Heping, in efforts to take Kelsie's gymnastics to another level. Singaporean gymnastics fans are eagerly waiting to see Kelsie at this weekend's competition.

Here is a look at Kelsie in action from last year.

Here's a little interview of Singapore's rising star: Kelsie Muir

Coach Casie: What age did you start gymnastics? Why did you choose the sport?

Kelsie: 3.5 years old. I didn't choose it. My my put me in when I was young.

Coach Casie: What do you like about gymnastics?

Kelsie: Friendship, it keeps me fit and its FUN!

Coach Casie: Which new elements are you learning at the moment, which would you like to perform at this year's competitions?

Kelsie: I am learning a Ray on bars and a new dismount. BHC to Hecht with back tuck salto. (Mukhina, D)

Coach Casie: Which particularly difficult element would you like to master one day?

Kelsie: I would like to learn a full twisting vault (yurchenko) and the bar dismount (Mukhina) with a full twist.

Coach Casie: Do ou have a role-model for gymnastics?

Kelsie: The seniors at Prime Gymnastics.

Coach Casie: What event do you struggle with?

Kelsie: I struggle mostly on floor and vault because I keep getting injured.

Coach Casie: What are your coaches always having to remind you?

Kelsie: Knees, toes, head in.

Coach Casie: What is your dream future?

Kelsie: To represent Singapore in the Olympics.

Interview with the Man Behind JAOVideos: A great Gymnastics Coaching Resource

A few years back as I logged on to YouTube, I get a recommendation to check out JAOVideos  If there’s anything I know about recommendations from a computer algorithm is that most of the time they are painstakingly off. However, this time the computer gods were dead on.

As a follower of JAOVideos, I’ve learned some great techniques for my younger gymnasts. Each video is unmistakably well thought through and systematic. The drills that are showcased are clearly effective for producing the results coaches are looking for. Some of his more popular tutorials have reached to an audience of over 200,000. The channel showcases not only tutorials on skills but also how to DIY equipment and my personal favorite, athlete progress and successes. VAOVideos has recently passed the 1 million views mark, amazing milestone that would make amateur filmmakers jealous. 

An Interesting Staff Meeting

Friday afternoons are Prime Gymnastics Staff meetings, this particular meeting got a little out of hand.

For the Man's Man: MAG Cuff Links

Men's Artistic Gymnastics Cuff Links straight from my sweatshop...errr computer room/mini-gym/studio. You got it, something classy for the men. I've been trying to come up with some great ways to dress up a male gymnast, gymnastics coach or any gymnastics fan.

I've convinced the husband to be my model and I'm super excited to show these babies off.

Panda Gymnastics

Look what I found at the Singapore Zoo today. 

Pandas like gymnastics too!

Isn't she cute?

D.I.Y. Ice Packs for In and Out of the Gym

At the beginning of the day our freezers start out full with handmade ice-cube packs and store bought ice-packs. Daily minor icing of youngsters boo boos are a natural occurrence in any gymnastics center, not to mention the team ice party sessions that are way too frequent and sometimes ridiculous. By the end of the day, both of our freezers look quite bare and we're off to buying new packs and refilling the ice trays. Who knows where those things end up!

I found a great way to cut costs in and out of the gym, after taking a hint from a friend when I asked about my little funky one always wanting ice packs. (We live very close to the equator and have no air conditioning, I can't blame her!) I thought I would share this simple, cost effective and brilliant idea with the gymnastics world. 

Life of the Hashtag #Gymnastics

I made this little infograph for fun and my favorite Italian #gymnast comes out on top!