What happens when a Geriatric Gymnast gets MRI results that are less than favorable? She makes plans to heal. Read on.
Category: Geriatric Gymnast
Why do I post so much?
I started at 36. I've been injured, frustrated, had setbacks, and enjoyed every moment at the gym. Read my thoughts on having safe, adult, flippy fun.
Inspiration is a two-way street
On the final weekend of our spring musical season, I was reflecting on what it takes to create, to develop and to thrive. It's all about the people with whom you surround yourself.
Moments from the Geriatric Gymnast
I hope that any adult looking to explore their inner Olympian can find a place to realize their childhood dreams. My goal is to help encourage them to take the leap.
Michael Morenberg
Mike and I talk about our community of adult gymnastics: the “Hive Mind,” being a quinquagenarian, spotting and coaching, and the necessity for the gym to be a judgment-free zone.
Progress isn’t linear
"Progress isn't linear" is one of my favorite sayings. It applies to everyone for everything that we work for, but I have had to lean into it as I have spent my time over the last 15 years doing adult gymnastics. It's how I have been able to keep flipping in my 50s.
Our lizard brain
The brain, in all its complexities, can help us or harm us, depending on the day, our mood, or the direction of the wind. We know that anxiety is a killer beast, and at the gym, it can really get in the way of progress.
Tammy Goedken, part 5
In the last installment of episode 1 with Tammy, we had a few more thoughts about the meditative and empowering qualities that adult gymnastics offers. We also compared the experience to some other fitness activities we've done.
Tammy Goedken, part 4
In part 4 of my conversation with Tammy, we talk about eliminating the "end-date" drama, coaching from experience, the benefits of Geriatric Gymnastics, and setting goals in gymnastics training.
Tammy Goedken, part 3
We love telling stories about our gymnastics escapades. In part 3, Tammy and I talk about dealing with injuries, building bone strength, balance, and positive self-concept, and our thoughts on progress (which is never linear).
Tammy Goedken, part 2
In part two of my conversation with Tammy Goedken, we talk about our observations as coaches for the adult set, and how we believe that gymnastics is the most fun way to condition your body (and soul).
Tammy Goedken, part 1
Welcome to the first episode of my new series, Conversations With The Geriatric Gymnast! For 15 years, I've learned more about my capabilities in the gym than I have anywhere else. Now, my flippy friends and I have some things to share with the world.
Conversations with the Geriatric Gymnast
As if I didn't have anything better to do, I've embarked upon a new Geriatric Gymnastics project. Along with this blog, the Changed for the Better podcast and blog, and working full-time as a high school dance and PE teacher, I was inspired to create a little something to further celebrate my cultish adult gymnastics obsession.
Gymnastics and play
Why is jumping on the trampoline so much fun? Why is it such a draw? The focus of this blog post is how adults need to play just as much as kids do and how gymnastics provides an excellent way to satisfy the needs of our inner-child.
Mental Breakthroughs
Sometimes, your brain gets in your way of progress. This post shows how, when you go back to the basics, you can break through mental and physical roadblocks.
An Overview of Geriatric Gymnastics
For anyone who is into fitness, gymnastics or aging gracefully, I present An Overview of Geriatric Gymnastics. You'll find links and descriptions of all of the articles I've written in the series, including strategies that this middle-aged woman uses to defy the clock.
Geriatric Gymnastics 7: Debra Bassin, part 5
At 48 years old, Debby Bassin, a one-time stay-at-home mom, has created quite a positive and impactful presence in her community. Now, over five years after Flipper’s Gymnastics became an LLC, Debby graciously reflected on a few more questions about her journey thus far.
Geriatric Gymnastics 7: Debra Bassin, part 4
What’s funny about all of the necessary chaos required to reimagine our vision in a pandemic, is how, while we were technically forced to make changes, it gave us the mental space to be more creative. Sometimes, being pushed to adapt makes us think about how to utilize our precious resources more economically and efficiently.
Geriatric Gymnastics 7: Debra Bassin, part 3
In this chapter of Geriatric Gymnastics, you'll get a glimpse of some of the hurdles Debby Bassin had to maneuver in order to officially open her doors, as well as how her expectations were not always reflective of her reality.
Geriatric Gymnastics 7: Debra Bassin, part 2
Geriatric Gymnastics 8 discusses the spark that started the Flipper's Gymnastics flame and what led Debra Bassin to take the leap into business ownership.
Debra Bassin: Courage and Grit Personified, part 1
I am excited to introduce a new facet of my Geriatric Gymnastics series, Debra Bassin: Courage and Grit Personified. In these next chapters, I will reveal Debby’s story as a gymnast and an emerging business owner.
My Evolution as a Gymnastics Coach
A perspective on my evolution as a Geriatric Gymnast coach. My goal is to offer a safe space where grownups get to explore their inner child. Celebrating their successes fills me with joy.
Maintaining a positive self-concept at the gym
How do we build the courage to do hard things? Do we see ourselves as competent and able to tackle the challenges? In this post, I discuss how a strong support system bolsters our training experience.
Keeping the bones strong
This geriatric gymnast's plan is to stress her bones just enough to stimulate the remodeling process and avoid the fragility of old age. Chapter 4 discusses what that process is and how gymnastics helps that happen.
Managing Fear
A discussion of how I've managed fear throughout the course of my Geriatric Gymnastics training and how it continues to be a factor in my decision-making process at the gym.
The road to mastery
The road to skill mastery requires successful attempts over hundreds of trials over years and years. This chapter of Geriatric Gymnastics delves into the mental and physical development that is necessary in order to safely build confidence and consistency when you're training as an adult gymnast.
Flipping for all to see
When we actually arrive at that seemingly impossible skill that we can perform either once or with consistency, who wouldn’t want to share that with the world?
Age is Just a Number
"Age is just a number" is something I hear a lot. What does that really mean to me?
I am a gymnastics addict.
I like spending time upside-down. This article was written in my early 40's as I was really gathering steam in my training. During the COVID lockdown, where gyms were closed, I had to take a 3 month hiatus from bouncing and flipping. Thankfully, we have moved into the next phase of living, and I am… Continue reading I am a gymnastics addict.
Stacey's Headspace 