Gymnastics, in Forest Grove, is a sport of performing exercises that display physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, balance, and grace. Gymnastics is considered to have evolved from the ancient Greek exercises involving skills for mounting and dismounting a horse, and from circus stunts.

There are several forms of gymnastics, namely – Artificial gymnastics, Rhythmic gymnastics, Trampolining & tumbling, Acrobatic gymnastics, Teamgym, Display gymnastics & Aerobic gymnastics. Competitive Artistic gymnastics is the most popular gymnastic sports. The events for women include: uneven parallel bars, balance beam, floor exercise, and vault, while those for men are - floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars, and high bars.

Rhythmic gymnastics is performed by women only, although Japan is pioneering a new version of this discipline of gymnastics for men. Performance of five separate routines with the use of five apparatus—ball, ribbon, hoop, clubs, rope—on a floor area is the basis for this form.

Trampolining and Tumbling include four events- individual, synchronized, double mini and power tumbling.

Acrobatic Gymnastics is a group gymnastic discipline for both men and women. Acrobats in groups of two, three and four perform routines with the heads, hands and feet of their partners.

TeamGym is an ancient sport developed to enhance fitness and health in the participants and is accessible to anyone of any age. Floor Programme, Trampette & Tumbling are the events of teamgym. Display gymnastics is the performance of synchronized, choreographed routines by troupes of single gender or mixed.

Aerobic gymnastics involves performing of routines by individuals, pairs, trios or groups up to 6 people, focusing on strength, flexibility, and aerobic fitness rather than acrobatic or balance skills.

Water, Water Everywhere … Part II

By:  Lee Ann Rush                                                     The topic is water; specifically, its availability to the public in light of Nestle CEO Peter Brabeck’s recent megalomaniacal assertion that people should only have access to water if they pay for it.  In a world where water shortages are reason for concern as demand begins to exceed supply, Brabeck’s plan..