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4 B a c k t o S c h o o l / M u S i c & D a n c e - S u p p l e M e n t t o t h e W i n n i p e g F r e e p r e S S - S a t u r D a y , a u g u S t 1 6 , 2 0 1 4 CALL204-832-5992 Director-JoanneTokarykARAD,AISTD 3025NESSAVENUEatSTURGEONROAD SturgeonCreekVillageShoppingCentre visit www.dancecentrewinnipeg.com •BALLET •JAZZ •MUSICALTHEATRE •MUSICALTHEATRE •HIPHOP •TAP •MODERN •LYRICAL •ACRO •PRESCHOOL 30YEARSINYOURCOMMUNITY! Professional,CaringteachersmakeTheDanceCentre Professional,CaringteachersmakeTheDanceCentre aspecialplacetolearnandhaveFUN! 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Preschool Combo • Ballet/Tap/Jazz Combo • Ballet • Hip Hop • Jazz • Lyrical • Boys Only Hip Hop • Cheerleading • Ladies Only • Mommy & Me • Competitive Dance Teams • Tap • Birthday Parties • Studio Rentals • Pilates OPENHOUSE Wednesday,August27 th 6:00-9:00pm Music Educator Sale! 1381 Portage Ave 772-5581 lowenpianohouse.com SALES • SERVICE • RENTALS • LESSONS By Holli Moncrieff For the Free Press g ymnastics isn't just for gymnasts. Celia Champion, Facility Manager of the Winnipeg Gymnastics Centre, says learning gymnastics can better prepare children to excel in any sport. "It's a good basis for any other sport. It gives them a core to work from. Gymnastics works on all-around fitness — strength, flexibility, agility," she said. "Kids are coming away from the centre with skills they never had before." The Winnipeg Gymnastics Centre opened in 1977. The parent-run, non-for-profit organization is the home of three former Olympians: Monica Goermann (1980), Kathleen Finnegan (1984) and Bonnie Wittmeier (1984). In the last four years, the centre has seen its numbers decline. When Champion came on board, she knew she had to make some changes. "I was out to restore it and bring the numbers back up. The biggest improvement I made was getting a great team of coaches in — people with the personality, the skill, and the desire. They're all ex- gymnasts who are passionate about the sport," she said. The centre is moving to new location in the fall. The new fully equipped, air-conditioned 10,800 square-foot facility is across from the Whyte Ridge neighbourhood on Samborski Drive. "We've outgrown the space we're in now. Our working space will be so much better. We're so excited about it," said Champion. "The pit size will be triple what we've got now and we'll have a brand new sprung floor. We're going to add intro tumbling and trampoline classes now that we have the space." One of the biggest changes has been making sure all students get the same level of training, whether they are recreational gymnasts or competitive. "Our recreational program is different from other gyms. The students are coached more like pre-competitive competitive gymnasts. We give them the proper form and proper technique, and we make sure there's lots of hands-on spot correction," Champion said. "It's made a huge difference. Lots of parents have said they've seen a big difference in their kids." All children are trained at their own level, she added. "Everyone starts at where they're at when they get here. Gymnastics is a very individual sport. Every kid is different. Some kids take to gymnastics naturally, but with others, their mind just doesn't connect to their body. For them, it takes repetitive coaching," said Champion. "We have structured, progressive coaching so all of our students see progress by the end of the year." While all children will benefit from gymnastics, some will find it easier than others, she said. "It's body type. Very tall gymnasts will find it hard to tumble. A short gymnast who's lighter and more lean is going to find it easier." Any child can sign up for Winnipeg Gymnastic Centre's recreational programs, regardless of their level or experience. Champion said gymnastics is a great way to introduce children to physical activity. "They're having so much fun they don't realize they're gaining strength and learning skills. We get the blood flowing," she said. "Students find that their flexibility gets better and better." The instructors take special care to help the students avoid injuries. "Gymnastics is hard on the body. It's the nature of the sport, but we make sure the gymnasts are fully ready and their bodies are prepared for an exercise. We avoid a lot of injuries that way," said Champion. The centre recently added a preschool program, and specializes in men's as well as women's gymnastics. "We're the only club in the city that has men's rhythmic gymnastics," Champion said. "We have rings, pummels, floor, vaults. We have a lot of boys really interested in gymnastics from the age of five. Our recreational program has really taken off." Recreational classes are one hour in length. The pre-competitive and competitive classes can run from 90 minutes to two hours. Students can sign up to take one class per week, or multiple classes if they prefer. "I always think it's a good idea for a child to come down and try out a program before signing up for a year. Signing up for a full year for a sport you know nothing about is a big commitment," said Champion. "Our summer programs are a good opportunity to get in the gym, try out the equipment, and meet the instructors." For more information on the Winnipeg Gymnastics Centre, please see their website at www.winnipeggymnasticscentre.com. Kids take part in gymnastics classes for kids at the Winnipeg Gymnastics Centre. Photo by Darcy Finley

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