MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Youngsters from the various gymnastics classes offered at the IronWorks Gym, got the chance to swing, spin and tumble for their parents during a Gymnastics Exhibition held in the aerobics room of the gym Saturday.
The exhibition gave parents of students and future prospects an inside look at what goes on inside each of the four classes, since parents are not always available to watch during class time.
Starting with the 3 to 5-year-old group, spectators saw the children practice on the balance beam, the bars and an obstacle course. The obstacle course is designed to improve skills for entrance into the 6 to 8-year-old group, where the children will practice different floor exercises and the high beam.
According to Lisa Killeen, the 3 to 5-year-old class builds more then gymnastic skills in her 5-year-old daughter Megan.
"The class builds discipline and teaches them to set and achieve goals," she said.
For her daughter however, the class is all about fun.
"I like gymnastics because it is fun and I get to be with my friends and play on the bars," said Megan.
As the children get older, they advance to classes to correspond with their age, and the exhibition showed what each class entails.
The 9-year-olds and up class teaches children advanced techniques and builds their skills to move on to the advance class.
"There are certain requirements that the children must meet before advancing to the advance class," Gymnastics instructor Shelly Brown told the onlookers. "A lot of the kids are really close to making it, and this class focuses on improving those skills."
During the performance by the advance class, the students showed how the class lets them improvise and invent their own techniques, moves and performances on the floor and the bars.
After each presentation the children were awarded with trophies for their success.
"The students learn a lot about the techniques in gymnastics, build strength and flexibility and go through some conditioning," said Brown. "This exhibition was a great way to show the parents everything they learned."
For more information on Gymnastic Classes or to place your child on the waiting list, call Shelly Brown at 253-2952.