holding sticks on beam?

[TheSister]

Just a silly question-- was at the preschooler's gym class and noticed a class of the older girls on beam holding 2ft sticks above their heads with their hands twisted around backward.

How come they were doing this? My best guess was that they were learning to balance without airplane or windmill arms, but I'd like to know what the real point was.

 

[gymdog]

Probably for improving form and developing the high V (haha I hate calling it that because it's a totally different thing in cheerleading) position with open shoulders, chest out that looks much nicer than a more closed shoulder angle. It's more of a flexibility/form/presentation exercise than for balance at the level it's usually used at.

Sorry if that explanation doesn't make sense, I'm having a hard time describing it.

 

[TheSister]

That makes much more sense--these girls were about 12-14 so the balance thing seemed wrong. Thankfully, I watch enough gymnastics to know what you're talking about with the open posture, etc. Thanks!