I Tumbled Tonight...and It Was Great!

[nic]

As I was listening to music on my drive home from work today, I felt the sudden urge to tumble (gymnastics), even though I haven't done so for a few years. When I got home, I tried doing some basic things but soon realized that I'm wicked out of shape. SO, I decided to go to this gym where I could use the mat. I ended up doing a couple dozen backhandsprings, and it felt awesome. (Of course I'll be hurting tomorrow!) I just love the rush and the powerful feeling I get when I tumble; I feel like my body can do anything.

The other thing that made me feel so good about this is that the gym I went to is the same gym I went to during my senior year of high school during the time of the trauma; (I had not been there in 10 years). I was nervous because as I drove there, I started geting images of when I was that age and all the stuff I was going through. BUT, once I was there, I recalled a lot of positive memories, which made me realize that even though my life was at a very low point 10 years ago, there were some things that were good, as cheering/tumbling was my rock that got me through each day.

Anyway, I feel pretty proud of myself that no only was I still able to tumble, but I was also able to face something from my past and turn it into something good. Happy day :smile:

[upstream]

Awesome nic! I'm glad to hear your having so much fun!

[graebrahm]

Hey - you are feeling so good that it came through and I feel like "tumbling" and don't have a clue how to - but it sure sounds great. A trampoline might do - but you want to talk about out of shape - phew (I'm old). Thanks for sharing.

[2quilt]

Congradulations on the ability to tumble after a ten year hiatus.
Just reading about it makes me hurt all over.
I sure hope you feel good tomorrow!

[Nicolette]

Good for you nic. I couldn't do it if I tried :rolleyes:

[Cindy]

Wow - two birds with one fun! I'm so glad you were able to associate new positives with a comfortable (past and present) safe place for you.

Once I drove by the park where my childhood abuse occured that's all I could do. I thought if I could see it as an adult I could minamize it in my mind and remember the fun stuff. Maybe some day.

[Nam]

Hey! A fellow tumbler here! I coach gymnastics now so I can still do some stuff (even at my old age), but I haven't done backhandsprings for a year now. I had a baby and well that changes things...LOL. Anyway, I totally understand the rush of being able to do a trick and to do it well. It's so cool that you had the courage to do it! This is a great way to dissipate anger and emotions.

[Jim]

Well done Nic. Don't know much about gymnastics. However. Am a big fan of exercise and sports generally. Good on you for your involvement.

Jim.

[kers]

I am so proud, nic! I do some rolls (somersaults) in my self-defense class, and they are terrifying! I am impressed you can do this!

[trapped]

Wow, I'm so proud of you! I'm so glad you fought those bad memories that started to come back and got to the gym and were able to remember the positive memories!

Tumbling is great, isn't it? I used to do gymnastics competitively starting as a kid, up until high school. Had a really bad accident during a competition, and for medical reasons wasn't allowed to go back to training at all for a minimum of six months. I didn't go back at all, but then about four months ago I had a gymnastics class at my college that fit in to my schedule, so I decided to give it a try again. It was GREAT! I think gymnastics is a great way to just forget about all your worries for a while, get out some of that tension in your body, and boost your confidence. I'm really happy and proud of you for doing something so great for yourself.